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“Well, you never gave me any grandbabies to fuss over. Never settled down yourself, so I guess I’m just trying to make sure we both have enough to retire on comfortably when the day comes,” she sighs.
I know it’s not about money when she talks like that. We’ve both got plenty of money. I could have quit or failed as an actor a decade ago and still come out in front.
It’s the one thing mom’s really always wanted for me though, to see me with a family of my own. A real family. Not the showbiz moneymaking shaker I have to rattle three times a year to keep overpriced real estate over both our heads.
It’s what I’ve secretly always wanted too. Just never found ‘the one.’
Never found my leading lady.
“Jack?”
“Uh, yeah. You do realize what time it is?” I ask her again when she catches me zoning out a second time.
Maybe I’m dreaming.
I did use to have a recurring nightmare that my agent was actually my mom, but it turned out to be true.
“Just one more thing, wonder boy. You need to be the one to make the announcement to the winner, turning up in person is even better. I’ve arranged to have a camera crew on standby, borrowed a few second unit crew members from the studio. Don’t tell anyone.”
I groan loudly.
Hospital visits, cutting ribbons for charity, community service announcements. They’re all fine given plenty of notice and if they’re for a good cause.
But this is just… This is just…
“Shameless self-promotion, Jack. I know,” Denise says, reading my mind.
“If you don’t get that tight ass of yours out there and start reminding people how freakin’ great Jack Mercury is, nobody’s gonna come knocking,” she tells me again, parroting the same thing I remember her lecturing me about when I was barely old enough to sign a contract let alone act.
Walking the beat, handing out my nine-by-five glossies to studios and agents way before she took the reins and started running things for me. For both of us.
“Okay, okay,” I concede. Realizing if I don’t agree I’m only losing sleep, and how hard can it be to spend the day with someone who might actually appreciate it for a change?
Sign some stuff, smile for some selfies. It’s stuff I have to do for promotional tours anyway, what’s one more day of it?
“And you’ll be keeping your old mom happy,” Denise reminds me. “Who knows? She might even be the woman you’ve been waiting for your whole life,” she adds.
“What makes you think it has to be a woman?” I ask, pretending to sound offended, but hoping maybe she’s right.
A fan who turns out to be the one? Now that would be a Hollywood ending. Could even produce my own movie about that one, if only it were remotely possible.
Most fans I meet are nice enough people. But nothing like a leading lady, Mrs. Jack Mercury material, unfortunately.
And never good enough to pass the mom-slash manager test either.
“Go back to sleep Jack. I’ll call you again when the name’s been drawn and the cars on the way to pick you up. Make sure you shave and brush your teeth. Wear something revealing but tasteful-”
“G’night, Ma,” I tell her, holding out the phone and pressing end call.
Slumping back into bed, hoping it has been a weird dream, but wondering too as I look out at the stars in the darkness through the window, if there really is someone out there just for me.
If Jack Mercury’s time to really live is about to happen.
Wishing on a star?
I smile to myself.
Couldn’t hurt.
If you’re out there, whoever you are and if you’re the one for me. I’ll see you in a few hours.
Whoever you are.
Chapter Three
Olivia
Okay, so I manage to talk my way out of snooping into my boss’s emails.
But only just.
“I only noticed the headline as I was putting your latest article on your desk,” I lie. “I know how you’ve got it in for Jack Mercury, and was just printing this out to save you some time.”
“I could look into it some more if you-” I try to say but she cuts me off.
“Don’t try kissing my ass, Fanning. It’s not a good look on you and trust me, you’re the last thing I want anywhere near my ass,” she groans, rolling her eyes and shoving my printed copies hard into my chest.
“I’m not stupid either, ya know,” she continues, narrowing her eyes and looking me up and down again.
“I leave my computer open knowing full well the whole world can see it. I’ve got nothing to hide. But Kudos to you for coming up with your, Err… my next article material.” She smiles suddenly, cocking her brow.
“What do you mean?” I ask, feeling hurt she’s crushed my photos of Jack, not to mention my chest.
