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I’d confirmed with my agent, Darren, that he’d sent her and what she said was true. She was paid for by the agency in partnership with the network. I was stuck with her for the time being. And apparently, I had no authority to fire her—not that she needed to know that.
The screen on my iPad changed rapidly as a FaceTime came through, and I hit the answer button. Why the hell was Kaleb Goldson calling me? Before his character was killed off, he used to be a regular on my show. And after that, he worried his career was over.
Little did he know, his amazing sister, who was also his agent, managed to get him a secondary role in a huge blockbuster, projecting his career into stardom. No longer was he the teenage heartthrob on TV. He was a bona fide movie star these days.
“Abel, hey, how are you? I heard through the grapevine”—he paused, entering a touchy subject—"what the agency’s doing to you.”
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
Kaleb made a face. “You can tell me, Abel. We’ve been there for each other for the last five years. This shouldn’t change anything.”
I shrugged again. “It’s nothing. They gave me a personal assistant to work on my ‘image.’ There are some unfavorable demographics, and she wants to help boost my popularity.”
Kaleb nodded in understanding. “Sure, and what about the rumor the show wants to fire you?”
I made a face, unable to hide my anger. “Well, I’m sure you’ve seen the last couple of seasons. Without you, it’s not the same as when we started.”
Kaleb’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “You sure about that?”
“It’s just a job; if I lose it, I’ll find another. It’s not a big deal.”
“Speaking of …” Kaleb said. “Harper mentioned this movie they’re desperately trying to cast. They’re having trouble because it’s on a tight schedule, and it’s over Christmas, so many people are turning it down. I thought … with this new image you’re trying, this might be good for you. It will hit the demographic that you’re trying to—”
“—Mommy bloggers?” I asked with a smirk.
Kaleb shrugged. “Yeah, well, that’s the type who watches these kinds of films.”
“Color me intrigued.” I picked up my beer and took a sip. “What movie is it?”
“It’s called The Naughty List.”
“The Naughty List?” I smirked. “I could get behind that.”
Kaleb laughed. “Yeah, it’s a Christmas movie.”
The room went silent as we stared at each other. If not for the fact I was holding the silence, I would’ve thought the screen was frozen.
“A Christmas movie?” I repeated, and Caleb nodded.
“Yeah, romance. Christmas romance.”
I groaned. “No way, not happening. Not my thing. I’m not adding some cheesy Christmas feel-good film to my résumé. I’m not that hard up.”
“Yes, you are,” someone said from behind me, and then, in the small box frame of my image, Scout looked over my shoulder. “Hey, Kaleb.” She lifted her hand to wave at him, and he smiled as I scowled deeply and then turned to look at her.
“Is this a setup?”
She shrugged. “I figured the news would be better coming from a friend than from me.” I glanced at Kaleb, who looked sheepish.
“Sorry, man. It is true, though. Harperwasthe one who told me about the film.”
Scout spoke next, “And it just so happens Harper’s a friend. After she left Hollywood and moved to Sage River, she gave me a couple of her clients and got me in with the agency, so she was the one who told me about this.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, looking displeased. “I’m going now,” I said to Kaleb without another goodbye. I pressed the end call button firmly before spinning around to face Scout and give her a piece of my mind. “If you think for one—”
She touched my lips, holding them shut. I felt like a little boy being chastised by a parent. “It doesn’t matter what you think or what you want. This is my game, remember? And a Christmas romance is exactly the kind of thing that’ll help turn your image around. Besides, did you have any other plans?”
“Yes,” I said as I began to formulate a lie. “Over Christmas—”
