“Thanks for coming here to see me on such short notice, Fabian. I know we fly out tomorrow, but I really need to run something by you.”
“I’m all for hearing your ideas. What’s this about?”
I turn my laptop around and show him multiple pictures of Fisher. “What do you think of him?”
Fabian leans forward in his seat and pulls my laptop closer to his face. “He’s attractive. Good jawline. Great body. I’d do him. Why?”
“Can you keep a secret?”
He nods. “I can try.”
“What if I told you he was my muse? What if I told you I modeled the book after meeting him on the beach in Florida and that the first three chapters were absolutely real?”
His face lights up.
“And what if I told you he was a talented up-and-coming actor who’s due to arrive here to pick me up in a few minutes?”
“I’d inquire as to whether or not you’re asking me to do a casting call right here?”
“Is that bad?” I wring my hands and cringe.
“Does he have something prepared? I mean, it’s not completely my decision. He’d have to meet with the head of casting and the director. Assuming we liked him, we’d have to see if he had chemistry with our Kasey.”
I nod. “The thing is, he doesn’t really know he’s coming in to meet you. He thinks we’re going to dinner.”
Fabian sits back in his chair and opens his mouth to say something, hesitates, opens his mouth again, and abruptly closes it.
“Is it the worst idea you’ve ever heard?”
My phone buzzes. “Yes, Brenna?”
“Patrick Fisher is here for you.”
“Okay, give me a minute.”
I grit my teeth as I stare at Fabian and wait for a response. He adjusts the glasses on his face. “Well, don’t keep the man waiting. Bring him in.”
I clap and rush over to the door. Brenna is rubbing her stomach as she smiles at Fisher. His face is pale. He looks like he might pass out. “Everything okay?” I ask.
He trudges toward me and takes my hand, pulling me into my office. He doesn’t notice Fabian, who’s moved to the back wall to look at my book collection. He closes the door.
“You’re pregnant?” His eyes are dark. He’s pissed.
“What? No? Who told you that?” As the words leave my mouth I recall Brenna rubbing her belly and shake my head.
“Why did your assistant just congratulate me then? We’ve had sex, like . . .” He counts on his fingers. “Six times, in two days. You couldn’t possibly be already!”
I gaze behind him at Fabian, who motions for me to keep going.
“This is all a big misunderstanding.”
“Oh really? Because I’m starting to feel really pissed off right now, Greer. Are you pregnant? You said it had been forever since you’d been with anyone. And only your stupid ex. Was that a lie?”
This is embarrassing. Oh shit. Fabian’s recording us on his phone. The things I do for love.
“Listen to me. The other day, or a week or two ago, I don’t remember . . . I was thinking about you and how you gave me butterflies. My stomach was flip-flopping around and it made me happy. I touched my stomach and told the butterflies I loved them and I wanted them to stay. Brenna walked in on me. I felt like an idiot, but . . . when she asked I figured she was joking. I didn’t know she really believed it!”
He steps back and seems to think for a moment. “You have butterflies in your stomach?”
I nod.
“Not a baby that isn’t mine?”
“No. And not yours yet, anyway.”
He smiles and places his hand on my waist. “I give you butterflies?” He’s doing that smoldering thing again and I forget Fabian is in the room.
“Every time I see you, think of you, or touch you.”
“So you have them now?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Have I told you yet today how much I love you?” He lowers his head to mine and kisses the top of my head.
“And cut!” Fabian shouts from behind us.
“What the fuck?” Fisher yells, spinning around.
“That was fabulous. Just fantastic.”
Fisher does a double take at Fabian, then glares at me.
“Patrick Fisher, let me introduce myself. My name is Fabian Confey and I’m on the casting team for Book Boyfriend. Can I just tell you that your pictures don’t do you justice? If I asked you to walk back in and repeat that word for word with the same intensity, could you do it?”
He glares at me. “Did you set me up?”
“Don’t be mad. I just wanted you to meet him. I didn’t know all that was going to happen.”
“Who’s your agent? Do you have a portfolio? Are you coming with us to L.A. tomorrow?”
“Can you excuse us for a moment?”
Fabian nods and gives me the thumbs-up as he leaves my office.
Fisher inhales deeply and crosses his arms.
“He likes you,” I say nervously.
“Did you not hear me when I said I didn’t want to try out for the role?”
“I heard you. I just didn’t listen. How many times did I tell you to stop trying to be Penn? Did you listen? No! And now that I want you to be Penn you won’t even try. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is?”
His face softens.
“Is it awful that I want the man I love to stay in town? Is it bad that I’ve watched every single commercial and scene you’ve ever been in on YouTube and that I think you’re incredibly talented? Is it awful that I think my movie would be lucky to have you and that I know women around the globe will love you just as much as I do?”
He brushes a stray hair out of my mouth and tucks it behind my ear. “I guess it could be worse.”
“If you really and truly hate the idea of being Penn then I’ll tell Fabian to forget it.”
He gazes at the ceiling. “Does it mean that much to you?”
I nod.
“Then how can I possibly say no?”
I jump into his arms and he laughs.
Deep in my soul, I know everything is going to be just fine.
Falling back onto my bed in my hotel room, I contemplate taking a long nap. Whoever invented 5:00 a.m. flights should be shot. At least I don’t have to be downstairs for casting for three hours.
My phone pings with a text.
Unknown: Hey, girl, it’s Chloe. I hope you don’t mind my texting you. I was chatting with Fish and he told me you were in my neck of the woods. What time do you get in?
I create a contact for her.
Me: Just got to my hotel room and of course I don’t mind. We should have exchanged numbers sooner.
Chloe: Where are you staying?
Me: JW Marriott
Chloe: No shit. I’m literally down the street. How about I walk over and we grab coffee?
Me: Sure. I’ll meet you in the lobby.
There goes my nap but oh well. Maybe coffee will help me perk up. I brush out my hair, slip on my shoes, and take the elevator to the lobby. She’s already there.
“Hey, girl, hey!”
We hug and she points to a coffee bar in the hotel.
“Perfect,” I say.
I get a pumpkin latte and she gets black coffee with sugar.
“So how have you been? Did you like the gala?” I ask.
“Loved it. I’ve been fine. I started this new job as a receptionist and it blows. Not all of us get regular gigs like Fish.”
“Did he tell you I want him to try out for Penn?”
She waves the air as she sips her coffee. “I’ve been telling him that since the day I heard it was going to be a movie.”
I smile and blow on my cup. It’s too hot to drink.
“Can I just tell you I still fangirl every time I hear your name? I’ve read every single one of your books.”
“You mentioned that.” I snicker. “Really, I’m just a normal person who got lucky.”
“Fish is the one who got lucky. When he told me he literally ran into you when he was in Florida, I about died.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I guess it was even funnier when he found out who I was.”
“He knew the moment he saw you. I talked about you all the time. I tried to get him to read Weeping once. I remember he looked at your picture and said you were cute. Funny how things work out, isn’t it?”
She shakes her head and I feel as if I heard her wrong. I replay her words in my head. “When did he tell you he met me?” I ask for clarification.
“He called me the next day before he went on set. He said, ‘I ran into your favorite author yesterday on the beach.’ I think he followed it up with you being even prettier in person.” She winks at me and laughs as my heart sinks.
“So he knew I was an author the minute he saw me, huh?”
“Oh absolutely. Poor guy heard me talk about you every time a new book came out.”
I stare down at my coffee cup and move it around in my hands to warm me. My blood is suddenly cold.
“When I heard you were making a movie, I told him he should look you up and try out for the part. He finally picked up the book and read it. I only asked him like ten times. I’ve never seen him read a book so intently. When he found out that first part was him, oh Lord, you’d think he won the casting lottery!”
I swallow hard and jump from my seat.
“You okay?” Chloe asks. “What’s wrong?”
“I, uh, I just remembered I was supposed to check in with the director and start reviewing stuff. I’m sorry to cut this short. I have to go.”
I practically run from her without saying goodbye. Hitting the elevator button repeatedly, I pray it opens before I burst into tears in the lobby. He knew it was me? He lied to me. Oh my God. He is an incredible actor. He had me completely fooled. I’ve been played from day one.