Page 6 of Cast to be Mine

“That’s me.”

I scanned her resume. Sparse. A few guest spots on television, nothing major. No film work at all.

That should have been a red flag. Jack Montana was a massive star and pairing him with an unknown was risky. The studio would push back.

But I couldn’t stop looking at her gorgeous blue eyes as she scanned her surroundings, pausing to smile at Doris and me individually, and offering another smile to Toby, who blushed. Rookie.

“Whenever you’re ready,” I said, nodding to the camera Toby had positioned in the corner.

She took a breath, licked her plump lips, and began.

The character was supposed to be a tech CEO caught in a conspiracy she didn’t fully understand, fighting to save her company while staying one step ahead of people who wanted her dead.

Grace Stone became that woman. Her posture shifted from beautiful young actress to business mogul in an instant.

I found myself leaning forward, completely absorbed. Beside me, I could feel Doris go still. Even Toby had stopped fidgeting.

The room had shrunk to just Grace and the words coming out of her mouth.

She delivered the dialogue without a single stumble. She devoured the script, the cadence of her voice dancing around my head while the emotions built within her and held me in a trance. When she finished, the silence stretched for several heartbeats.

“That was…” I cleared my throat, trying to find something professional to say when what I wanted to do was offer her the role on the spot. “That was really great. Thank you.”

Her shoulders dropped slightly—relief or disappointment, I couldn’t tell. “Thank you for seeing me.”

They all said that, but I got the feeling she actually meant it. Like she was happy to have the chance to try for the role.

“We’ll be in touch,” I said.

She nodded, gave us all a small smile, and turned to leave.

I watched her walk out, watched the door close behind her, and then I was on my feet.

“That’s her,” I said, turning to face Doris and Toby. “That’s our lead.”

Toby practically bounced in his seat. “Right? I thought so too. She was incredible.”

Doris was already making notes, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. “She’s got almost no experience, Micah. The studio might not approve.”

“I don’t care. She’s exactly what this role needs. That’s what I was looking for without the words.” I paced to the window, my mind already racing ahead. “She can hold her own against Jack. She’s got the look, the presence, and she can actually act. And lack of experience might work in our favor. She doesn’t have any bad habits from other directors or co-stars yet. She’s a canvas.”

An incredible one.

“No argument from me,” Doris said. “I’m just warning you that you’ll have to fight for this one.”

I turned back to face them both. “Then I’ll fight.”

Toby was grinning like I’d just told him Christmas came early. “So we’re offering it to her?”

“We’re offering it to her,” I confirmed. “Call her agent. I want her signed by tomorrow.”

Doris nodded, already flipping through her contacts. “I’ll draft the offer letter. But, Micah, an unknown with no film credits? Jack may not approve either.”

“Jack’s contract says nothing about him having any opinion on our casting decisions. He doesn’t have a say,” I said.

“He’s a diva,” Doris said.

I ran a hand through my hair, the familiar restlessness settling back in. “This isn’t his set. Grace walked in here and owned the room without trying. That’s what Jack needs to play off of—someone who can match him without shrinking. If I have to fight the studio, I’ll fight.”