Under the Lights

I still haven’t really processed the idea, but I know if it helps him out, I’d at least consider it. Especially since his costar, Zoe Knight, is semi-hot, and I haven’t tapped her yet. “You think it’ll help you be able to take the Lassiter part if you get it?”

“No clue. I’ll let you know how it goes. Can I jump in the shower before I head out?”

“You better. Don’t need your car smelling like BO next time I’m in it.” I wait until he’s closed the door to my personal locker room and run the shower, and then I turn to Ally. “You really think this is a better idea than doing one of those movies? Or are you just trying to make your boyfriend happy?”

“I think you need something to do that’ll keep your mom’s reality show crew away from you during the day, and you care more about helping Liam than you do what role you take on next,” she says coolly. “And, frankly, it’s a whole lot harder for you to screw this up. I think it’s what you need to ease you back in.”

She’s right, on all counts. “Fine. Set it up,” I say, tossing my own cup in the trash. “And don’t let Holly give you shit.”

* * *

“So we’ll see you back here Monday morning for a table-read with a draft of a new script.” Mickey Davis doesn’t stand up at the end of our meeting, but it’s hard to blame him since he’s got a pooch so big it must be tough to carry around. Instead, he sticks out his fleshy hand, and I shake it as I get up. Liam had warned me Davis wasn’t too thrilled he’d landed the Lassiter role, but he seems A-OK now. The Josh Chester Charm strikes again.

“Sounds great. Looking forward to it.” I slip on sunglasses and let his assistant lead me outside, checking my phone to see if Ronen’s left me a text about where he’s at. Instead, I’ve got one from Holly.

Told your driver I’d be getting you instead. I’m in the lot.

I spot her almost immediately when I step outside by the way her unnaturally black hair gleams in the sun. She’s standing up against the car, typing like crazy on her phone, but she looks up when I get close enough to block her sunlight.

“Hey,” she says, slipping the phone into her purse. “How’d it go?”

“Great. We’re gonna try it out. He’s having writers come up with spec scripts to see about fitting me in as a love interest for Bailey while she and Tristan are on breakup number four thousand.”

Holly eyes me blankly.

“Tristan is Liam’s part on the show. Bailey is Vanessa Park’s. Christ, have you not even watched it?”

“I don’t watch TV.” She turns back to the phone, starts typing again.

“Because it’s a lesser form of entertainment?”

“Because I’m busy.” She reaches for the driver’s-side door handle. “Rob bumped up your interview to five minutes ago, so we gotta—”

“Chester! Hey! Is this your new girlfriend?”

“Hey! Girlfriend! What’s your name?”

I hadn’t spotted them before, but suddenly, paparazzi come rushing over, and I realize there are some random pedestrians taking pictures of me, too. I instantly put on a smile and wave for the cameras, blowing kisses at an old woman and the aide with her who’s eye-fucking me. Then I feel claws on my arm and turn to see Holly’s face has gone completely white.

“What the hell?” she whispers fiercely. “We gotta go. Get in the car.”

“Chill out.” I unclasp her sharp nails from my arm and take the autograph book a little girl’s holding out to me, eyeing Holly as I sign my name. “This is part of the job. They’re fans. Just smile and wave.”

“But…” Christ, she looks so freaked out. For all her trying to be cool and professional, this is clearly an area of the business she hasn’t encountered before. Guess that’s what happens when your biggest client is, well, me.

I throw my arm around Holly’s shoulders and smile for the cameras and reporters. “Please, I think you all know better than to think I’ve settled down,” I announce. “This lovely creature is my agent, Holly Bremen. Remember that name, because you’re gonna be seeing it all over Variety in the next few years.”

And remember mine, too, I think as the flashbulbs continue to go off. Because if you don’t, I am fucked.

Chapter Six Vanessa

I really wish Zander were a better kisser. I mean, he’s fine, but we’ve been making out in my trailer for like twenty minutes, and my mind keeps wandering — to what I should wear to the premiere of Casey Rinaldo’s movie this weekend, to what color I should get on my nails tomorrow, to—

“Hey, K-drama, where the hell are you?”

To why the most obnoxious guy in the world is standing in the doorway right now.

I jump away from Zander and wipe off my mouth as Josh approaches, as if that’ll cleanse me from this unpleasant moment. Ugh. I knew Josh auditioning was a horrible idea as soon as Ally mentioned it, and now I’d forgo Pinkberry for a year if I could magically get the power to teleport myself out of here.

“Josh, what the hell are you doing here? I thought you were meeting with Davis.”