Page 10 of Cast to be Mine

Becky stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Fuck that. We’re celebrating.”

“But—”

“No buts. You just landed the role of a lifetime. We’re going out, we’re getting drinks, and we’re toasting to Grace Stone, movie star.”

I looked down at my sweaty gym clothes, then back up at my best friend’s beaming face.

“Okay,” I said, laughing. “Let’s celebrate.”

We could worry about more cardio tomorrow.

“I’ll go home and change,” I said.

“Hurry. Wear something fun. Just think, this will be the last time you get to go out without getting swarmed by paparazzi.”

I laughed and picked up my bag. “I can’t even imagine.”

“Hey,” she said.

“What?”

“Don’t forget the little people when you’re all rich and famous.”

“Becky, I would never.”

I didn’t point out that I’d been rich when she met me. And my father was famous. I managed to stay out of the spotlight, though. That was the only way I was able to be Grace Stone. I was just one of the many wannabe actresses in the city of angels.

At least I used to be. In a year, people would know my name and face. Maybe six months. Six months to be anonymous.

Shit, was that what I really wanted? Fame could be a double-edged sword.

Yep. I fucking wanted it and I’d ride it until Hollywood chewed me up and spit me out.

4

MICAH

Iparked my car in the circular driveway of my childhood home. That thought almost made me laugh. Our childhood home was a mansion. A mega-mansion to be specific. I noted the other cars, indicating my brothers were all here.

Our family lived like royalty but we also had a pretty tight family unit. Mom rarely acted these days. She’d had her heyday as one of the top actresses in the business. Her films earned her a permanent spot on the A-list, but she didn’t care. Mom was all about her family. She wanted all of us at the dinner table at least once a month. More often if we could swing it.

The door swung open before I could knock. Maria, who’d been with the family since I was in diapers, greeted me with a warm smile.

“Micah!”

I let her hug me, giving her the cursory peck on her cheek.

“They’re in the dining room. Go on, dinner will be served in five minutes.”

I made my way through the familiar halls, past the family photos that tracked our evolution from awkward kids to moderately less awkward adults. I stepped into the dining room and found my father at the head of the table, my mother to his right, both of them looking up as I entered.

“There he is,” Dad said.

“Hi, Dad. Mom.” I moved to kiss my mother’s cheek before taking my seat next to Beau. Everyone was there, including the significant others that had been added to the family over the last year. Callum and Victoria. Drew and Kensey. Hollis and Juno. And the single brothers and sister, Beau, Jeremy, and Cleo.

“You look tired, sweetheart,” Mom said, her beautiful face softening with concern. “Are you sleeping?”

“I’m fine. Just busy with preproduction.” I shrugged. “You know how it goes when a production is ramping up.”