THE NEXT MORNING, Charlotte had to make a mad dash for her phone, grabbing it just in time. “Hello?”

“Charlotte?”

“Hi, Trudy. Yes, it’s me. Sorry, had to run for the phone.”

Trudy Samuels was her Portland agent, and was quite a bit more on the ball than her previous one. “No worries. How are you?”

“I’m well,” Charlotte said. “How are you?”

“I’m great, thanks. Ah, I have a loaded question.”

Charlotte chuckled. “Shoot.”

“The Working Title folks would like you to read for that part we discussed. Today, if you’re available. Actually, are you able to be in the Pearl at noon?”

“I think I can move a few things around.” Charlotte grimaced at her reflection in the mirror. “Sure, yes, I can make it. Just tell me where.”

“Excellent. I’ll text you the details. I feel really good about this one, Charlie. I think you’re going to nail it.”

Charlotte took a deep breath. “I hope so, Trudy. I’m running out of options.”

“Don’t sweat it, sweetie. You got this.”

“Thanks.”

“Okay, call me later if you can... or Monday, and let me know how it goes. And of course, if I hear anything before we talk, I’ll let you know.”

Charlotte smiled. “Thanks, Trudy. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

“It’s my pleasure. Talk to you soon. ’Bye.”

Trudy hung up and Charlotte headed to her closet.

“Charlie!” Vandi called.

“In here,” Charlotte called back, and grabbed her nicest pair of jeans, knee-high boots, and a dark-blue, cotton wrap-around top that tied at the hip. It accented her eyes and showed off her shape without being too revealing.

“Where are you going?”

“My audition was moved up,” Charlotte said as she laid everything on the bed. “What’s up?”

Vandi flopped onto Charlotte’s bed. “Nothing.”

“What, babe?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “Quick, because I have to jump in the shower.”

Vandi sighed... then sighed again. “Nikolai hates me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’s totally ignoring me.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Are you really pursuing this guy?”

“Yeah,” Vandi said, cocking her head. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because he’s twenty-two. Twenty-two, Van. That’s six years older than you.”

“Please.” Vandi waved her hand dismissively. “He’s young for his age, and you know I’m totally mature for mine.”

Charlotte frowned at her sister as she sat down beside her. “Sissy, this isn’t a good idea. He’s a man... he may not act like one, and that makes you think he’s young at heart or whatever, but men who have any kind of decency don’t go after high school girls, especially sophomores.”

“Now you sound like Annie.”

Annie Marshall was Vandi’s closest friend, and usually somewhat of a guiding light in the chaotic world of Vandi Whitmore.

“Well, Annie’s smart, Van. She obviously sees through him.”

“No,” Vandi retorted. “She’s just upset because Nikolai doesn’t think she’s pretty, or very fun.”

The truth was, Annie was stunning. Dark-red hair, and green eyes that lit up a porcelain complexion, and the cutest smattering of freckles across her nose, making her appear more Celtic princess, less American teenager. Charlotte knew the girl would be a knockout when she grew up.

“I’m sorry, Vandi.” Charlotte sighed. “Can we shelve this conversation for a bit? I really do need to get ready.”

“Fine.” Vandi stood and nodded. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, babe.” Charlotte closed her bedroom door and headed to the bathroom for a record-setting shower.

Once dressed, she checked her phone and smiled at the address Trudy had sent. Just around the corner from her favorite restaurant. She decided a to-go order would be the perfect end to a successful audition... that is, if it was successful.

Climbing into her car, Charlotte found her favorite Fallen Crown CD and slipped it into the player before pulling out of her neighborhood and heading down I-5 into the Pearl District. Thrilled with the current weather, she smiled. Overcast with the promise of rain, but still dry, which meant Charlotte’s very careful hairstyle wouldn’t frizz out of control.

She found the building on Kearney and parked in the lot across from the address. Grabbing her headshots and purse, she climbed from the car, fixed her appearance as best as she could using the car window, and then headed to the small, non-descript office. The interior wasn’t much more impressive than the exterior, but did house a small waiting area with two other women who looked a bit like her and one man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties. He smiled at Charlotte, and she couldn’t help but smile back as she made her way to the receptionist.

“Hi, hon,” the matronly woman said with a smile. “You here for the audition?”

Charlotte nodded and handed the woman a headshot. “I’m Charlotte Whitmore.”

“You can hold on to that.” The woman handed her a script and an information sheet to fill out attached to a clipboard. “Just have a seat and fill this out while you wait. Someone will call you when it’s your turn, and you can hand them the sheet and your headshot. Familiarize yourself with the script as much as you can. The lines you need to know are highlighted in pink. You’ll be reading with one of the gentlemen also auditioning. Their lines are in green.”

Charlotte took her photo and the paperwork and smiled. “Thanks.”

“Good luck.”

Charlotte turned and made her way back to where the others waited. She took the seat across from Mr. Handsome and went about filling out her information sheet. Once finished, she focused on the script.

“Charlotte Whitmore.”                          

Charlotte glanced up and forced a smile. She’d only managed to get through two pages of dialogue before her name was called. She gathered her belongings and followed the young woman down the hall, passing another good-looking man on his way out, and through a door into a small office. The woman left her and Charlotte closed the door. Two women and one man sat facing her at a long table.

“Charlotte Whitmore?” the older woman on her left asked.

“Yes,” Charlotte replied, handing her the clipboard with headshot and information attached. She held on to the script as she set her purse on the floor.

“Thank you. I’m Sue, this is Marty, and down at the end is Dawn.”

Charlotte smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“We’re going to have you read with Alec Donovan.” She glanced at the door. “And here he is now.”

Charlotte’s heart raced a little as the hottie from the waiting area strolled into the room. He was taller than he looked from his seated position, well over six feet, and muscular. Shaggy blond hair, blue eyes, and a mouth that would probably kiss quite efficiently. Full bottom lip, thinner top lip.

She shook her head. She needed to stop looking at his mouth.

He smiled and reached out his hand. “I’m Alec.”

She shook his hand and smiled back. “Charlotte. It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s mine,” he said, his voice low and deep. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing his hold.

She felt heat creep up her cheeks as she forced herself to face the casting agents.

“Do either of you have a problem with kissing scenes?” Dawn asked.

“No,” they answered in unison.

“Read from page three, please,” Marty instructed, and Charlotte flipped the page.

* * *

One hour and two remarkably thorough kisses later, Charlotte exited the audition room, her palm flat on her chest to calm her racing heart, and headed to her car. She’d been right. Alec could kiss.

Even though Dawn had asked if she had any issues with kissing, Charlotte had been taken aback when Marty had asked her and Alec to kiss in the audition. She’d never been asked to do so before, but Alec put her at ease and was more than respectful when the kiss was required. She had to admit, she wasn’t complaining... she could kiss him all day.

“Charlotte!”

She turned to see Alec jogging toward her.

“Wait up a sec,” he called.

She bit her lip. He moved like an athlete. Quarterback maybe? Sexy, definitely.

He grinned as he slowed and closed the distance between them. “Hey.”

“Hi,” she replied.

“Um, that was a really great read. You’re really good.”

“Thanks. So are you.”

“Want to grab a late lunch?” He glanced down Kearney. “Not sure if you like Serratto, but it’s close and the food’s incredible.”

“Ah...” she stalled. “I’m not sure. I mean, I love Serratto, I’m just not sure if I have time for lunch.”

He frowned. “Hmm. Do you have a husband?”

“What? No,” she said, a little emphatically.

“Boyfriend?”

She shook her head. “Ah, no.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Kid you have to pick up from school?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Sick aunt you need to rush home to?”

She chuckled. “No. No one I know is sick at present.”

“Then have lunch with me. I promise if you hate me, you can leave anytime.”

“I don’t know you. You could be a serial killer.”

“I could be. You’re right.” He grinned. “Come on, we’ve already kissed,” he joked. “That’s the worst part of a first date, anyway.”

She tilted her head. “You’re assuming I kiss on the first date.”

“Touché.” He smiled again. “How about it? I’m starving, and I’d really like to get to know you.”

As she stared at his mouth for the umpteenth time, she couldn’t think of a good reason not to have lunch with him. He was cute, obviously confident, and he was a stellar kisser. She’d be an idiot to turn down the invitation, especially since all she had to look forward to was listening to Vandi and her Nikolai problems.

She smiled. “That actually sounds really nice.”

He waved his hand toward the restaurant and nodded. “After you.”

Charlotte turned away from the parking lot and headed toward Serratto. Alec walked on the outside of the sidewalk, and at one point touched her arm gently to warn her of the uneven pavement.

Arriving at the restaurant, Alec opened the door for her and then followed her to the table, holding her chair until she was seated before he took his own.

The waiter handed them their menus and then left them alone. Charlotte noted they still had their wild boar on the menu, so she laid the paper down and focused on Alec.

“You know what you want?” he asked as he continued to look at his menu.

“Yes. I’m a bit of a bore.” She tried not to giggle at her inadvertent pun. “I tend to stick to the things I like and rarely stray.”

He smiled. “What are you getting?”

“The wild boar.”

“Ooh, that is good. Now I’m not sure what to do.” He set his menu down. “How about I get the steak and we can share?”

“If you can pry the food from my plate without losing a finger, you’re welcome to a bite.”

Alec laughed. “Feisty. I like it.”

The waiter arrived and took their order, returning with drinks before leaving them again. Charlotte found herself a little tongue-tied, which was unusual for her.

Where are you, lass?

She forced herself not to react to the voice. That’s all she needed on a date with a gorgeous man... the obligation to divulge this new and disconcerting tendency to hear voices.

“So, tell me, Charlotte Whitmore, what do you do for fun?” Alec asked.

“Fun? What is this fun thing you speak of?”

“Say it ain’t so.” He chuckled. “Are you an all-work-no-play kind of girl?”

“I guess that depends on your idea of fun. I must admit, I’m really low-key. I’d rather watch a movie at home than go to a theater or venture out to a club to dance. I dance better in my living room anyway.”

He smiled. “I wouldn’t call that boring.”

Charlotte took a minute to lay her napkin on her lap. “What about you?”

“I’m kind of an outdoor nut. Hiking, biking, fishing, that kind of thing.” He leaned back in his chair. “I have to stay fit and since I hate the gym, I have to be creative.”

“Thank God for at-home treadmills,” she said.

He tipped his water glass toward her. “Very true.”

“Is acting your full-time gig?”

“No. I do voiceover work, which actually pays the bills, and since I’m able to record my own audio, it cuts down on commute time and expense. Acting is something I’ve always done, but I never really expect to make it, you know? I’m not sure I’d want to, anyway.”

“Oh? How come?” she asked.

“Because where would I live? Hollywood?” He frowned. “No thanks.”

“I just moved back from L.A. I was there six years, and I agree. The weather alone was enough for me.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, sunshine everyday’s a bit much. What did you do in L.A.? Act?”

“Sort of. I worked for Disneyland. I was actually in their customer service department, but had started off as a princess, so would get roped back in on occasion. All in all, it was a great job, but I really needed to be home.”

“Born and raised here?”

“Yep. Vancouver. You?”

“Salem. I moved to Portland a year ago,” he said. “So, is this your first audition? I haven’t seen you on the circuit, so to speak.”

Charlotte nodded. “Yeah. I wanted to ease back in, but my agent seems to be a go-getter as they say, so I didn’t get much of a break.”

Alec chuckled. “Did you do much work in L.A.?”

“Not really. I did a couple of commercials, but I’m one of a million blondes trying to make it, and nothing really happened.”

The server arrived with their meal, pausing their conversation.

Once he left, Alec asked, “Is acting your full-time gig?”

“No, but not on purpose,” she admitted. “Like you, I’m not sure I want it to be, but I’ve had the worst time finding a job. Even waitressing,” she said with a shudder, “which is my absolute last resort option. No one’s hiring.”

He gave her a sympathetic nod. “I may know someone who’s hiring. Customer service type stuff. All day on the phone kind of a thing.”

“Really? That would be perfect. I’ll take just about anything right now. I had to move home with my mom, and I’d really like to get back on my own.”

“I would too.” He grinned and waved his fork toward her. “Maybe we should wait out the audition, huh? You may not need a job for a while.”

Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “So you’re one of those.”

“Those?”

“Optimists.”

He grinned. “Definitely.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know, optimists ruin everything.”

“They do?” He laughed. “Do tell.”

“They expect everything to go perfectly, and their whole world’s shattered when it inevitably goes to crap.”

“I take it you’re a pessimist.”

“I am.” She grinned. “And because of that, I am never disappointed.”

Alec laughed again. “I believe I could learn a lot from you, Charlotte Whitmore.”

“You absolutely could, Alec Donovan.”

The rest of lunch was filled with comfortable conversation, although deep and meaningful subjects were avoided. Overall, Charlotte really liked Alec, but there was something not clicking for her. She couldn’t put her finger on it and chose to ignore it for a while in an effort to get to know him better. He was the first guy to come along in a long while who’d interested her, and she was going to take advantage of that fact.

Alec walked her back to her car and took down her phone number. They’d made a date for Saturday night for dinner, and Charlotte was really looking forward to it. Climbing into her Toyota and heading back towards home, she groaned as the sexy voice of Niall MacMillan floated through the car... a song that had been released as a B-side and one of only three he sang on. She flipped over to the radio. “I don’t need you in my head right now, thank you very much. You are a fantasy.”

Her phone rang and she hit the hands free. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Donnie.”

“Hey, stranger! How are you? I wish you were here right now. I just auditioned for a part in a movie, and you would have been perfect for the guy who plays the husband.”

Don chuckled. “Especially if I got to kiss you.”

“Well, you would have.”

“Damn it,” he joked.

“So, how are you? I thought you might be mad at me.”

He sighed. “Sorry, Charlie. No. I’m not mad. Actually, I met someone.”

“You did? That’s awesome. Is it serious?”

“No, not yet. We’re in the ‘let’s impress each other’ stage right now, so until we have our first kiss and then our fight, I don’t think we’ll know if it’s serious.”

Charlotte laughed. “You are so very practical, Donald Leavitt.”

“I know I am. What about you? Tell me about this audition.”

Charlotte filled Don in on the audition and lunch with Alec as she made her way home. She ended the call just as she pulled into her driveway and then headed to her sister’s room in an attempt to help her solve the world’s problems. She had a feeling it was going to take a very long time to do so.