Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Like having the table read here when we could have done it back in LA.” It was cool out but not cold, the sun shining down and making West’s eyes look a little like emeralds. It was a good thing she preferred diamonds. “This movie is about a family in Dallas who fought over the millions left behind by the grandfather. It’s based on a true story. My character is the youngest daughter, and the brother played all these pranks on her to make her look like she was going insane. For a while she feared the house was haunted and fell out a window running from ‘the ghost,’ who was actually her brother. Broke her neck, but she learned to walk again. In a psychiatric ward, where she spent the rest of her life. It’s not a really happy story.”
But it was fascinating to her. Playing Delia Crowne was going to open doors for her. No more low-budget rom coms or playing the hot girl all the teen boys wanted to bang. Or the mean girl. She got that role a lot.
“Is that why we’re touring some old mansion tomorrow morning?” West sat on the bench beside her.
Poor West. He was going to have to do so many things he would likely find boring as hell over the next couple of months. “Yes, and I’m going to the psychiatric hospital where she died only a couple of years ago.” She noticed a limo pulling up, and then a familiar man was stepping out.
Bryce Jericho. He was playing her father. He had three Oscar nominations but no wins yet. He was a mover and shaker in the artistic film world.
He gave her a big smile as he walked toward her. “You must be Ally. I would know that face anywhere. My girls adore you.”
He gave her a hug. She wasn’t much of a hugger, but she’d learned at a young age that there were some things one put up with, and forced intimacy was one of them.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Jericho. I’m a huge fan. I’ve enjoyed your work for years,” she said.
He pulled back, his handsome face the amalgamation of great genes and excellent plastic surgery. “That’s nice to hear. And it’s Bryce, Ally.” He gave her a very unfatherly look up and down and then a grin. “We’ll be working together for months, and I’d like to get to know you better. Maybe we can have dinner tonight.”
“She can’t,” West said in a blunt tone. He put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m afraid Ms. Pearson’s social calendar is full.”
Bryce looked over and took another step back, hands coming up as though to apologize. “Sorry. Just trying to be friendly. Well, see you inside, dear.”
She stared at West. “You let him think you’re my boyfriend.”
“I never said that.” His eyes were steely again, like they’d been the first day they met.
She thought about it and realized she was actually grateful. “Thanks for that. He was…eww…he’s my stepdad’s age. I think they’re friends. And he’s married. He was totally hitting on me. Right? I’m not making that up in my head.”
“He was an old man skeeving on a young girl,” West agreed. “And without an ounce of subtlety.”
“Thanks.” She straightened her skirt. “But I’ll let everyone know you’re my bodyguard. You don’t want the rumor to get out that I have a new boyfriend. The reporters can be vicious. It’s nice here because I haven’t seen more than a few.”
West moved in close. “Hey, I’m your bodyguard, and I can also be the bad guy. Anything you don’t want to do, let them know your nasty old guard is overprotective. And, Ally, you’re ready for this. You can do this.”
She needed this pep talk. Usually it was her mom who did it. She didn’t have an assistant because she’d seen how often that went wrong. She liked doing it on her own.
But damn it felt good to have West with her. “I can. I got this part by auditioning twelve times. I got it because I’m the right person for this role. I can do this.”
West nodded. “You can do this. Now let’s get you settled in. I was told I’m not allowed in the room, but I’ll be right outside.”
Yes, that totally made her point. “See, method. Jay Clarke is totally method. He’s reading all the directions himself, so we don’t have any production assistants with us. It’s cast only.” She glanced down and realized she’d let the time go. “And I’m late.”
She pushed through the studio doors and was waved through by one of the aforementioned assistants, who pointed her to the room. She was about to round the corner when she heard something that made her stop.
“She’s pretty, but there’s not a brain in her head,” a familiar voice said.