From the darkest depths of the studio, Jason Adams burst into the light and hopped up on to the set in a flash of blinding white teeth, tousled sun-kissed hair, and biceps that clearly did not care to be contained by a silly T-shirt. “Ladies, you both look amazing.” He swooped down and kissed Tasha on the cheek. She cooed.Cooed. He did the same for Flora, who touched the side of her face in disbelief as soon as he stepped back.
“Jason, why don’t you tell us why you’re here today?” Tilly Ann asked, cozying up to him.
Two minutes earlier, Brooklyn had wondered how this segue was going to make any sense at all. Now she didn’t care. She only felt lucky. As pretty as Jason Adams was in pictures and on screen, he was one hundred times more drool-worthy in person. The man was magnetic. No one, especially not Brooklyn, could look away.
“I’m here to announce that we’re about to start shooting the sequel toLavaman. It’s calledLavababyand it’s all about Lavaman falling for a single mom after discovering that her child has the same powers he does.”
Brooklyn and Lela made eye contact. It was obvious that she was struggling just as much as Brooklyn. No matter how enthusiastic and earnest Jason was, it was hard not to laugh. Of all the stupid ideas for a movie, this had to be top on the list. Of course, that probably meant it was going to make a kajillion dollars at the box office.
“I’m really excited to be making a movie with a strong mom character.” He stepped closer to Tilly Ann. Brooklyn thought the woman might melt right then and there. “As my fans know, I lost my dad when I was young, and my mom is the only reason I got through that. She’s the most resilient, wonderful person in the entire world. I owe her everything. I would not be standing in a television studio right now if it wasn’t for her. I wouldn’t be making movies and living my dream.”
Brooklyn found her eyes getting watery. Then she noticed that everyone was wiping away tears. What in the hell was happening? What was this power Jason Adams had? Where he could talk about the most idiotic movie ever in one breath, then make everyone cry in the next?
“After I saw Miss Monroe’s segment on this show a few weeks ago, I realized that there’s this thread of the importance of strong women and moms running through my life.”
“How do you even have time to watch the show, Jason?” Tilly Ann asked.
He laughed. “I have to make time. It’s my mom’s favorite show. So I tape it, then I watch a few segments so she and I can talk or text about it. Alec is her favorite, so I try to watch everything he does.”
“Moms love Alec,” Tilly Ann quipped.
“I’ve heard that,” Jason replied, half laughing. “So anyway, the East Coast premiere ofLavamanis this Friday, here in New York. This is a fan event, not like a regular premiere. We had a big lottery for tickets, but I have a few extra, so I’d like to give Tasha, Flora, and Lela each a pair so they can come and join us.”
Tasha and Flora both erupted in squeals of delight. Lela politely clapped and smiled. Meanwhile, Brooklyn was left asking one question—what the hell?Am I not standing right here?Her face felt like it was on fire as she was blanketed in utter humiliation.
“But what about Brooklyn?” Tilly Ann asked.
Yeah, Tilly Ann. What about me?
“I’m hoping that Ms. Monroe will accompany me as my date.” He moved closer to Brooklyn, but it happened so fast and effortlessly that she would’ve sworn he’d floated. “It’s my way of telling the world that all moms, and those that aspire to be one, especially on their own terms, are awesome.”
“I know one thing. Every woman in America is going to wish she was Brooklyn Monroe this Friday night,” Tilly Ann said.
“What do you say, Brooklyn? Will you come with me to the premiere ofLavaman?” Jason asked.
Brooklyn was painfully aware of the camera on her. She looked into Jason’s crystal clear eyes and his uncannily symmetrical face and felt like there was only one answer she could give. “I’d love to.”
Jason grinned, his smile making the temperature in the room spike a good five degrees. “Fantastic.”
A camera zeroed in on Tilly Ann. “And we hope that everyone out there will go seeLavamanthis weekend. In theaters nationwide. Have a good day, USA.”
“And we’re out,” someone on set said.
Tasha, Flora, and Tilly Ann surrounded Jason, followed by several members of the crew, giving Brooklyn a moment to catch her breath.
“Whoa. I didnotsee that coming,” Lela said. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t even know what just happened. I feel like I got hit by a super hot bus.”
Lela cast a sideways glance at Jason. “Sounds like you’re going to a movie premiere with that very hot bus. Maybe it’ll be a love connection.”
Brooklyn looked over in his direction, and their gazes connected. That alone was enough to make her blush. “I don’t know. I’m a good ten years older than him,” she said out of the side of her mouth while holding a smile. “Probably more.”
Lela waved it off. “That’s nothing. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
Was this what Maddie had predicted? Brooklyn hit Lela’s arm with the back of her hand. “Oh, crap. He’s coming over here.”
“And I’ll take that as my cue to leave. Just act normal.”
