Page 94 of Lucky 22

“I can’t say.”

And it’s killing me.

Christian lets out a long breath. We’re video chatting onour laptops, and he’s sitting on our bed back in Florida, shirtless, hisbaseball hat on backward. He’s practically catnip, and it stinks that he’stwenty-five hundred miles away.

“So, what can you tell me?”

Tell you about what? Oh, yeah…the show. Seriously,my husband is gorgeous.

“I really can’t. I’m sorry.” Then I sigh. “But you want toknow something really cool?”

“Sure.”

“This…what I’m doing…is…” Drats. If I tell him it’ll betwenty-two episodes, will that violate my NDA? Now I’m not so sure.

“What you’re doing is…?” he prompts with a boyish grin.

“I can’t say,” I reply miserably, my shoulders sagging.“Let’s just say my lucky number plays a part in it.”

He chuckles. “Great. You’re voicing a part you can’t tell meabout, for a new Galactic Wars animated project I don’t know anythingabout, but twenty-two has a significant meaning to it. Awesome.” I know he’steasing. Kind of. And I feel guilty all over again.

“You know I’d tell you if I could. But isn’t it a littlewild that I’m going to be part of such a popular franchise? Like…in a millionyears, I never thought I’d end up here.”

“And where is here?” he asks, still grinning.

“Nice try,” I say with a laugh.

“Hey, I can’t help that I’m curious.”

“I know, and I wish I could tell you more. I don’t know howI’m going to last for a year and a half without telling anyone.”

“A year and a half? Seriously? Why so long?”

“That’s when it will finally debut. They’ll probablyannounce it sooner, but I don’t know when.”

“Oh. So, how does this work with voice recordings? I’mguessing you can record your part almost anywhere, right? Do they have a placein Florida for you to do it?”

“Actually, all the recording will be done here in LA,” Itell him. “I don’t have a full schedule yet, but I know I have to record hereevery other week for the rest of the year.”

He doesn’t respond right away, and I am tempted to mention howmaybe this will be a good thing, considering how awkward it’s been living withhis parents. But it could also open the door for him to spend more time inCalifornia with me.

“Why don’t you fly out and stay with me? It will be like oldtimes. Jen really misses you, too.”

He laughs softly. “Um, yeah. I’m sure she does.”

“Come on, Christian. Think of how much fun it will be. We’llget to see friends we haven’t seen in a long time and eat at some of ourfavorite places.”

“You know I’m in training, Ella Rose. I can’t take time offfrom that. Especially not after the way my last season went.”

“You’re always in training,” I murmur. “And there arefacilities here you can use. Trainers you can work with.”

“Not Archers’ trainers.”

Closing my eyes, I mentally count to ten. “I know they won’tbe Archers’ trainers, but you can come out for just a long weekend. You knowthe exercises you have to do for physical therapy, and our apartment complexhas a great gym. Spring training doesn’t start for another month. Please.Please come to California. It’s just a few days.”

“I don’t see why you can’t fly home on the weekends. Youwon’t be recording seven days a week. It makes more sense.”

For a moment, I’m speechless.