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IVY
Houston, we have a problem.
A giant Hollywood-movie-star-sized problem. After spending time in an elevator with Ford Harmon, there is no way I’m going to be able to interview for a job. I can’t even remember where I’m supposed to be going.
It’s always been a struggle to make it in the world. To get ahead. Just because I attend a prestigious art school doesn’t change a thing. I’m one of the lucky ones, but I don’t know what I’m going to do when school gets out. I can’t really move back in with my parents, and I have no one else…except my best friend, Andi.
So here I am, waiting for my life to finally begin. Trust me, this is not how I imagined my winter break going, but being back in the small town where I grew up is my only option.
Lost in thought, I remember all the hype I’ve been getting from my professors.
“You have amazing talent, Ivy. You’re a shoe-in to get hired by one of the major studios when you graduate.”
What they don’t tell us is you need connections, something I am severely lacking. I applied for every type of internship possible, but without the right Hollywood names on my résumé, I got nowhere. If I had my way, I’d be living the good life in Los Angeles, working alongside the best makeup artists in the business. At least I can save money while working at Douglas Lodge, which is a step in the right direction.
And then I saw Ford Harmon, the star of all my fantasies since I was old enough to have them. He’s built like a brick house and stood literally three feet away from me.
He smelled delicious, like leather and spice.
When he spoke, just a single word, his deep gravelly voice sent shivers down my spine.
I can’t even imagine how I’ll react if I run into him while working. My entire paycheck will go to paying for all the glassware I’ll break.
“Hey, Ivy. Earth to Ivy,” Andi says, grasping my arms. “You’re off in La-La Land again, aren’t you? We need to get moving if you’re going to make your appointment with my dad.”
Andi pulls me toward what I assume is the administrative office, breaking me out of my stupor.
“You’ll never guess who I just saw in the elevator.” I pause and blink a few times. “Wait, of course you would. Your dad owns this place. Ford Harmon! Andi, I was in the elevator with Ford fucking Harmon.”
“Yeah, about that…” she trails off as she pulls me through the office doors and into a secluded office. She quickly flips on the lights and leans against the conference table. “He’s shooting a movie up here.”
“Oh, my God!” I squeak.
“My dad and the movie’s director, Nolan Archer, are old friends. I got you a job on set as a makeup artist.”
“Are you kidding me? No, Andi. I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
Every break, I’ve worked at Douglas Lodge, and when Andi mentioned a job opportunity, I assumed I’d be working for her father, not Nolan Archer.
“You didn’t ask. The opportunity presented itself, and I took it for you.”
I shake my head, unable to contain the grin on my face.
“Thank you!” I screech, throwing myself into her waiting arms.
She smiles brightly and hugs me. “You’re welcome. I have to admit I was worried for a minute that you’d tell me no.”
“Andi, this is the opportunity of a lifetime! How can I ever repay you?”
She releases me and shakes her head. “You don’t have to do anything. You’re a fucking amazing special effects artist, Ivy. You deserve to get out of this shitty little town and start a new life.”
“When do I start?”
She latches onto my hand. “Come on. I’ll take you to meet Nolan. He’s having dinner in the restaurant and can fill you in on all the details.”
I can’t believe this is happening to me! I’ve always known about Nolan Archer, Andi’s dad’s best friend, who also happens to be the director of this film. I should ask Andi if she had anything to do with this, but I don’t think I’d believe her if she said no. It would’ve been easy for her to convince Nolan to give us a position to work on this movie, which just so happens to be filming in the lodge we grew up in. I’m hesitant to take the job, not wanting to use our friendship to my advantage, but she’s insisting. I’m friends with Andi because she makes me laugh and doesn’t put up with my crap. It’s always been hard for me to ask for help. It’s my way or the highway. Unfortunately, my way doesn’t seem to work out most of the time.
Before I have a chance to change my mind, Andi grabs my hand and pulls me toward the entrance to the restaurant. I can see Ford sitting at a table with another man. I assume that’s Nolan Archer based on how they’re interacting with one another.
