Page 121 of Cast to be Mine

“This is surreal.”

He laughed and parked the car. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

We walked up the front steps hand in hand. The door opened and there she was.

Tiana Blackwell.

I’d seen her in movies, of course. Everyone had. She’d been one of the biggest stars of her generation. And mine. She had talent and presence. She’d redefined what leading ladies could be. I’d grown up watching her films, studying her performances, trying to understand how she made everything look so effortless.

She was one of my idols. Had been since I was twelve years old, sneaking into my father’s screening room to watch her early work.

And now she was standing in front of me, even more beautiful in person than she’d been on screen. Her hair was swept back in an elegant twist. Her smile was genuine in a way that immediately put me at ease.

I didn’t get starstruck. I’d grown up in Hollywood, surrounded by famous people. I’d learned early that celebrities were just people with better lighting and usually shittier personalities.

This wasn’t just any celebrity. This was Tiana Blackwell—the mother of the man I loved. Oh and she just happened to be one of the most beautiful women to ever grace the silver screen. Someone who possessed more grace in her pinky finger than I had in my entire body.

Pun intended.

“You must be Grace,” Tiana said, and even her voice was exactly as I remembered it from her films. Rich. Musical.

I felt like I should curtsy.

“Mrs. Blackwell, it’s such an honor⁠—”

Before I could finish, she pulled me into a hug. Not a Hollywood air-kiss hug, but a real one. Warm and tight and genuine. Now I understood why Micah was such a good hugger. It was a family trait.

“None of that Mrs. Blackwell nonsense,” she said, pulling back but keeping her hands on my shoulders. “Call me Tiana. And welcome. Micah has told us so much about you.”

“All good things, I hope.”

“The best things.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’ve seen some of the early footage from Breathless. You’re extraordinary, Grace. Truly. I cannot wait to see it on the big screen.”

I felt my cheeks flush. A compliment from Tiana Blackwell about my acting. I might actually die. It was only then I realized she would be watching my work like I’d watched her so many times.

God, I was going to pass out.

“Thank you,” I managed. “That means more than you know.”

“Mom, stop hogging her.” Micah stepped forward to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Where’s Dad?”

“In the study with your brothers. They’re pretending to discuss business, but really they’re just hiding from the kitchen chaos.”

Tiana rolled her eyes affectionately. “You know how your father gets when I’m directing the caterers.”

She led us inside. I tried not to gawk at the gorgeous interior. High ceilings, tasteful artwork, understated elegance that only came from having both unlimited funds and impeccable taste.

We found the men in a study. Max Blackwell stood as we entered. He was tall, distinguished, with the kind of commanding presence that explained how he’d built an empire. His hair had gone silver at the temples, but his eyes were sharp and assessing as they landed on me.

I held my breath.

He crossed the room and extended his hand. “Grace. It’s nice to finally meet you properly.”

I shook it, noting the firm grip and the directness of his gaze.

“Thank you for having me, Mr. Blackwell.”

“Max, please.” He studied me for a moment, and I could see him cataloging details, forming opinions. Then, unexpectedly, his face softened into something that might have been a smile. “It seems you got your charm from your mother. Naomi was always the more pleasant of your parents.”