Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“I … I didn’t hear.” My voice quavered slightly, and I reached for the bravado that was my signature. But somehow, with Maddox, I just couldn’t manage it anymore. “So, we’ll be working together? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“And miss the look on your face?” he said with a laugh. “Never.”
He didn’t say that we hadn’t spoken in eighteen months. That neither of us had crossed that divide. That didn’t need to be said. We both let it hang between us.
It didn’t explain what he was doing here. Why he’d be here when I’d thought he never wanted to see me again. Which was hard enough, considering he was my best friend’s twin brother.
“Well, this should be … fun,” I said, glancing around the room. “How can they afford you?”
He shrugged. “I had a break in my schedule. After a year off, we all wanted to get back to work. No matter what it was.”
That I understood completely—2020 had felt like a decade. It was nice that my career was back up and running after the break. When Jimmy had called, I’d nearly jumped out of my seat. I was ready to be anywhere but stuck in my house in LA.
“True. I wasn’t sure the Academy reboot was ever going to happen. Even though the fans begged for it.”
He shrugged. “You have a huge fan base.”
It was hard not to smile when I thought about everything that Academy had given me. Eight full seasons, an Emmy for best actress, and a rabid fan base that adored me. I could never thank them enough for how I’d gotten here.
“There’s my favorite person!” a man crowed behind me.
A smile split my face, and I found Jimmy Torsney striding toward me. “Jimmy,” I cried, throwing my arms around him.
He picked me up and swung me around in place. When he set me back down on my feet, his smile was wide and welcoming. “Girl, look at your skinny ass. Having a gym in your house sure paid off.”
I laughed. “Wasn’t much else to do.”
“The boys are going to be salivating over you,” he said. He winked at Maddox. “The straight ones at least.”
Maddox kept a straight face through Jimmy’s antics. He was always like this. The one non-creepy director we’d had, who always had our back when a producer got too handsy.
“Don’t sell me short, Jimmy,” I teased. “The girls will be into me too.” I twirled in place for him. My purple skirt flying in a circle around my thighs. This was the Josephine Reynolds that had gotten a lead actress position at twenty-two after never acting before in her life. It was so much easier being her when Maddox wasn’t looking on.
“She’s right, you know,” Jimmy agreed. “Well, to business then. I see you’ve met our visual effects guy. Maddox Nelson is the best in the business. We are beyond lucky to have him.”
“Thanks, Jimmy,” Maddox said. His eyes shot back to mine. My insides turned to jelly in that one quick glance.
“I won’t let you be modest,” Jimmy said, slinging arms around both of our shoulders and directing us toward the massive structure at the center of the studio. “From eight seasons of Academy to this film, it’s going to be night and day. Night and day!” He grinned broadly at me. “We’re elevating everything to the next level, and it’s all because of this guy.”
Maddox eased out of his embrace. “Should be fun.”
“Fun.” Jimmy laughed. “He’s talking state-of-the-art graphics technology that he invented, and it’s fun. Love this guy.”
Maddox just shrugged. Unlike me, he had no bravado. He was a genius. As much as his sister, who was currently faculty at Emory University in neuroscience and genetics, doing research on dementia. But Maddox used his genius as an artist. He’d revolutionized visual effects.
“Do you know he has an Oscar?” Jimmy said, slapping Maddox’s chest. “Two actually!”
Maddox arched an eyebrow at me.
I plastered on a smile. “I’d heard.”
“Josie and I actually know each other already,” Maddox admitted.
“You’ve worked on something together?” Jimmy asked. His smile was bright. “I didn’t know that.”
“We grew up together actually,” I said before he could think too closely on the fact that I hadn’t gotten any real work other than Academy. I didn’t count the handful of commercials and one horrid failure of an indie film.
“Well, look at that. Old friends reunited. I forgot that you’re from Savannah.” Jimmy nodded his head. “This feels right. Going to be a great movie. Martin gets in on Friday. You should take everyone out to see the town before we get started.”
I didn’t miss the slight flinch Maddox made at the mention of Martin Harper—my costar … and ex-husband. Just the person he wanted to spend time with after work.
“Sure,” I agreed.
Maddox said nothing.
“Good. Good. I’ll leave you to it. Maddox, if you need anything, let me know. Josie,” he said, pointing at me, “your trailer is all set up. Josephine Reynolds in big bold letters. Just like you like it. See you bright and early Monday morning.”