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Chapter 22
Ladyhawke
KEENAN
Apparently getting an audience with a famous actor isn’t as easy as knocking on their door. Luckily, I know people in Hollywood now. Rachel makes a few phone calls on my behalf and smooths a path to the front door of Hailey Whitmore’s Hollywood Hills mansion.
I didn’t want to bring Vanessa on this fact-finding mission, but I also don’t want to leave her behind. Not with a saboteur on set.
We approach Wesselman to let him know our plan.
“No!” he sputters. “She can’t leave. We’re one scene away from wrapping the film.”
“Yeah, but,” Vanessa counters, “I’ll be refreshed when I come back to do my last big scene. Imagine how great my acting will be?”
“A mini break sounds delicious right about now.” Spoon joins us. “I want one too.”
Ironically, this is what tips Wesselman’s decision in our favour.
“I refuse to lose both my lead actors at once,” he says. “Spoon, you stay. Vanessa, you go.”
“You can’t stand it when I’m happy, can you?” Spoon complains, trailing after Wesselman, who stomps off in a black cloud. “You cast me in this beastly film only to treat me like the lowest paid grunt here. I should’ve left with Hailey.”
“You can thank me in your Oscar speech,” Wesselman grumbles.
I send a teasing wave at the disgruntled actor as I drive Vanessa off set. The cast and crew are starting to feel like a family. Perhaps that’s what my mouse shifter friend meant when she said there was movie magic happening on her front doorstep. It’s like having a built-in family for the duration of filming.
When we get to Hailey Whitmore’s house, Vanessa and I are met by a burly security guard.
Vanessa grips my hand tightly and jumps up and down, shrieking like a guinea pig. “Do I look good enough?” she asks as we approach the front door.
She’s wearing jeans, a bright yellow T-shirt emblazoned with a rainbow, and star-shaped sunglasses. She looks perfect, the same as every other day. Somehow, I don’t think she wants to hear that though.
I dip into her thoughts so I can figure out what to say to her, but what I find has me backing away like my tail’s on fire.
OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! HAILEY-FREAKING-WHITMORE LIVES HERE! I’M KNOCKING ON A MANSION AND ABOUT TO TALK TO AN A-LISTER. ONE WHOSE JOB I TOOK… Shoot! What if she hates me? Maybe I can pretend I’m not the person who took her job. Do I have a piece of paper in my purse for her autograph?
Vanessa digs through her pockets as the bodyguard leads us to the door and knocks before pushing it open and waving us inside.
“You have half an hour.” He stares hard at us as we make our way inside.
“Oh my freaking god,” Vanessa mutters under her breath, turning on the spot as she takes in the foyer before approaching a black-and-white photo of Hailey Whitmore. “It’s real, Keenan. The person who took this is…”
“Annie Leibowitz. Yes, who doesn’t have one these days?”
My gaze is drawn up the grand staircase by the husky voice of our host who stands posed next to a cupid statue. When our eyes meet, her lips stretch into a smile that doesn’t touch the rest of her face.
“Hailey Whitmore!” Vanessa squeaks and I slide an arm around her waist, trying to infuse calm into her.
“Rachel told me to expect you, but I don’t know why you’re here at all.” Hailey descends the stairs, gliding with professional grace.
Vanessa’s eyes widen as Hailey stops at the bottom and poses against the banister post. “It’s so nice to meet you!”
Hailey’s gaze lands on Vanessa and I hold my breath hoping she doesn’t insult my mate before I get what I need out of her.
“I’m sure it is,” Hailey says, her lips creasing into a practiced smile as she extends her hand.
Vanessa pumps it, talking fast. “I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you. I was so afraid you’d hate me after I replaced you in Zach Wesselman’s film. Believe me, I had no idea I would be taking over for the great Hailey Whitmore, and when I found out, I about freaked. How am I supposed to compare?”
