Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
He gazed at me, his mouth opening, then closing. “I suppose it is.” He lifted my hand and kissed it. “But I will treasure this time always.”
I smiled, fighting back the tears. “Me too.”
And I turned and left.
Oliver
Annie glared at me over her glasses. “Stop moping.”
“I’m not moping,” I argued.
“You are. You have a movie ending, another starting, the whole Flynn issue is dying down, and you’re all up in your feelings and not paying attention.”
“I’m paying attention. You just told me the paper fired Flynn and is printing a retraction that our people wrote. Flynn’s out on his ass.”
“I hate to admit it, but Sheri was brilliant.”
“I told you she had talent.”
“I was thinking of adding her to my roster.”
I gaped at her. Annie hadn’t taken on a new client in ages. “What?”
“She needs a firm hand. Direction. Her current manager is a lightweight.”
“Does she know you’re thinking this?”
“No. I wanted to know how you’d feel about it.”
I barked out a dry laugh. Annie wouldn’t give a shit if it would upset me or not. She did what she wanted and represented whomever she liked. How I felt had never mattered before, and I highly doubted it did now.
“How about, I don’t care?” I responded, picking up my water and draining it.
“I thought as much.” She eyed me shrewdly. “Do you care about anything, Oliver?”
“Of course I do. But who is on your client roster isn’t one of those things. You’re probably right. She would benefit from your handling. You could steer her in the right direction.” I nodded in thanks as the server refilled my glass. “I’m sure your directness would shape her up quickly.”
“Hmph.”
I rolled my eyes, feeling uncomfortable. We were in Toronto at a busy, popular restaurant. The noise level was high, and I felt the stares, heard the low murmurs of recognition. They never used to bother me this much, but I supposed I had been in the quiet of Richton for too long. I was going to have to get used to it again, but I wasn’t looking forward to it. “Can we order?”
“Fine.”
We placed our orders, and Annie sat back, sipping her drink. “I’m leaving tomorrow. I think I’ve done all I can here.”
“Okay.”
“Davis says another ten days or so, and you’ll be done. They have some more shots and scenes with Carl and Sheri, but you’ll be free to return to LA.”
“Great.”
“I’ll have a flight booked for you.”
My stomach sank, further reducing my appetite, but I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Any chance of Kassie joining you?”
I picked up my water, for the first time in a long while wishing it were something stronger. “No.”
“Shame.”
“Why? Do you like her?” I asked.
“She seems to keep you grounded. I think she would help you.”
“She disagrees. She wants no part of my life or my world.”
“I see.”
The meals arrived, and I changed the subject, talking to Annie about the chat I’d had with Mike. He had apologized for his temper, and we had agreed to meet when I returned. I ate my dinner, the food tasting like ash in my mouth. Annie showed me the schedule for the production of this film. “Davis is aiming for a six-month release. I’ll make sure your schedule is clear for any publicity. You should have wrapped the next one by then too.”
“Okay,” I agreed easily, not really caring.
“I have a couple of scripts for you to look over as well.”
“Sure. Send them.”
“One is a romantic comedy. I think you’d do well. The script is tight—well written with lots of banter.”
“Of course,” I replied with a tight smile. “My specialty, right?”
“The other one is a Davis project. A book adaptation. Interesting. He’s thinking of returning to Canada for it. Somewhere out west in the mountains for the scope. He’d like you to read for the lead.”
That one at least sounded interesting. And I knew I’d like to work with Davis again.
“I’ll read it.”
We finished dinner and headed outside, waiting for the valet to bring around my car. Annie was going on to another meeting.
“I’ll see you back in LA.”
I bent and kissed her cheek. “Thanks for coming, Annie. For everything.”
She nodded and tilted her head. “Worlds can change. Remember that.”
I watched her walk away, unsure what she meant.
The following week, Davis sat down next to me, offering me a tired smile.
“Almost done,” he observed. “You’ve got two more scenes, and you’re free.” He rubbed his temples. “I assume you’re not sticking around for the wrap party next week?”
“No. Annie needs me back in LA.”
“And what do you need, Oliver?”
I blinked. “What?”
“Do you need to be back in LA?”
“Yes. I have meetings. And if it goes well, then rehearsals. Luckily, most of the film is being shot on the studio lot with only a few outside scenes. It’ll be private.”
He nodded. “Do you ever stop and think about what Oliver the person needs?”