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CHAPTER 1
LACEY
“Mom,” I said. “Mom. I have to go.”
Another group streamed around me, heading inside. I was blocking the doors. I ducked out of the way. Mom kept chirping on through the phone, bright as a robin.
“You’ll be great, hon. It’s like I always say, you go on in there and be your best self. Be the most ‘you’ you can be, and—”
“Yeah, Mom. I get it. But I’m about to be thelatestme I can be. If I don’t go now, I’ll get fired my first day.”
“Just tell me at least, what’s your movie about?”
I glanced down the hall, and over my shoulder. Besides the receptionist, it was just me. Everyone else had already gone in. Still, I cupped my hand over my mouth and dropped my voice to a whisper.
“It’s a war movie, okay? But you can’t breathe a word. The press release doesn’t go out till next week.”
Mom squealed so loud my eardrum quivered. “A war movie, that’s great! Oh, Lacey, I’m so proud of you. Not that your rom-coms aren’t amazing, but dramas win Oscars, and—”
“Mom.”
“—and you deserve your big day. You’ve been working so hard, and I—”
“I know! I love you, Mom. Gotta go, bye!” I felt bad hanging up, cutting her off mid-ramble, but one more minute and I’d be late for real. And she was right, thiswasmy big break. An Anders Berg film — I could hardly believe it. I’d about lost my mind when I got the audition, pinched myself black and blue when I got my callback. And now I was here, and it was all starting, my first table read foran Anders Berg film!
I dropped my phone in my purse and took a deep breath. Held the air in my lungs and let it out slow. It didn’t dispel my nerves, but it took the edge off. I threw the doors open and Berg himself rose to greet me.
“And here she is now. Everyone, Lacey Hall.”
I waved at the cast and crew gathered round the table, a couple of big names, a few unknowns. Most of them smiled at me. Somebody cheered.
“That’s Josh,” said Berg. “He’s playing the general. And you know Linda Carter, and April, and— ah. Here we are.” His gaze darted past me, over my shoulder. A cool draft rushed in as the doors opened behind me.
“I hope I’m not late,” came a deep, mellow voice.
I froze where I stood. I knew that voice. I’d heard it on TV and on the big screen, a smirk of a voice cloaked in smug self-assurance. Like its owner knew secrets he’d never share. But, no way. It couldn’t be. What were the odds?
“Lacey, everyone, meet Eric Harper.” Berg smiled, wide and pleased. My heart plunged to my boots. Of all the jerks in Hollywood, why him? Why here?
“Lacey,” said Eric, and I felt my blood rise.
“Youarelate,” I said.
“Then what does that make you?” He glanced at his watch, a flashy gold number. “I’m three minutes late, and I’m right behind you.”
“Maybe your watch is slow. My phone says I made it.”
“Maybe your phone is slow.” His full lips quirked up.
Berg huffed a loud sigh. “Maybe you’rebothslow. Why don’t you come sit?”
Eric stayed where he was, his gaze locked with mine. I hated to admit it, but up close, he hadpresence, a smoldering magnetism that stilled my breath in my chest. His black hair was tousled, a bed-rumpled sweep. His dark eyes were feral, narrowed in challenge. He hadn’t shaved, and his square jaw was rough. I wanted to smack him. I bit my lip hard.
“After you,” I said.
“Ladies first.” He still hadn’t blinked, and it felt like a contest. Like if I looked away first, he’d win and I’d lose.
“Well, wouldoneof you sit? I don’t have all day.” Berg slapped his script down and the tension broke up. Eric laughed and I flushed, and he took his seat at the table. I took mine across from him, hot and off-balance.
