Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“And I got you some nice jeans and a couple of poet blouses. White, crisp, classic. One has dark navy stripes to make you look taller. I added some jewelry pieces to wear with each outfit and put them together. You will look like a million bucks.”
I flung my arms around Cami and hugged her. “Thank you. I only wanted a couple of things. Not an entire wardrobe.”
She laughed. “It was fun. I’ve been dying to dress you for years. Leggings and tees are fine for the compound, but you need to dress for LA. It’s part of the image. Part of the act. You feel more powerful if you look good.” She tapped my chin. “Hold your head high, and keep your shoulders back. Show the world A.M. Archer. Leave Mila behind for a little while.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. I had to be a different person, or pretend to be, while in LA. At least outwardly. And maybe she had a point. If I looked the part, people might not look so hard behind the mask and see the timid person holding it up.
I could do this.
“Okay.”
CHAPTER THREE
MILA
My dad insisted on driving me to the airport, and I wasn’t surprised to see Mom in the passenger seat when I opened the door to go out to the car. Dad lifted my cases into the trunk and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “She wanted to come see her baby off,” he whispered.
“Her baby is in her thirties,” I whispered back, but I couldn’t help smiling. I loved that my parents still worried about me. And knowing Dad, he’d probably asked Mom to come along since he was the one who worried the most.
Dad opened the back door. “You’ll always be our baby girl, Mila.”
I winked at my mom, who was grinning. “Get in the car, Dad.”
We chatted on the drive, which helped take my mind off my nervousness. Pearson Airport was busy as usual, and I texted Andi, who met us out front as Dad pulled out my luggage, setting it on the sidewalk. I hugged Mom and promised to let her know when I arrived and check in while I was gone. Dad talked to Andi, his head bent low. I approached them as Andi gazed seriously at him.
“I’ll watch, Van. You know I’ll look after her.”
“She—”
Andi met my eyes with an understanding smile as she cut my dad off. “Will be fine, Van. I’ll make sure of it.”
I rubbed my hand on his arm. “I’m going to LA, Dad. Not some scary foreign land where I don’t speak the language.”
“Seems to me nothing is as foreign or as scary as Hollywood,” he deadpanned.
I laughed because he was right. Andi scoffed and shook her head. “Say goodbye to Mila so we can go. I need coffee.”
Dad hugged me, his large arms embracing me, holding me tight. He gave the best hugs. I could feel his love and strength. I leaned up on my toes and kissed his cheek. “Take Mom out for breakfast. Maybe some shopping. You’ll both feel better.”
I waved them off, smiling, hiding my anxiety. Andi took my arm. “Let’s go, kiddo.”
First-class check-in was fast, and soon we were in the lounge. Andi had two cups of coffee in front of her, her laptop open, phone beside her, and a plate overflowing with fruit, cheese, and croissants to the side. She frowned at my yogurt.
“That’s it?”
“I might have more in a bit.”
She patted my hand. “Everything is going to be fine, Mila. The hotel is booked, you have a car and driver at your disposal. No one is expecting you for a couple of days, so you can wander a bit and relax. We’ll go to the set, and you can see how it all looks and get familiar with it. I know that helps you. And since no one has a clue what you look like, no one will bother you. I’ll stick close.”
“I know,” I assured her. “I’m sorry—”
She cut me off. “Don’t. I understand your anxiety. I’ll help you as much as I can.” She smiled at me reassuringly. “I know you prefer to be alone and you didn’t want to do this. I appreciate the fact that you agreed. I think your insight on set will help. I know you want the movie to be done well.”
“Yes, I do.” That was why I’d agreed to this. I could have done a couple of Zoom meetings and stayed hidden, but Andi was right. My being there and talking as issues or questions came up made sense. This book was special to me, and I wanted it done right.
“It’ll be fun. I am interested in how a movie is put together.”
Andi grinned and picked up her second cup of coffee, the first one already gone. “That’s the spirit.” She sat back. “Now, go get some real food. I want to discuss this new manuscript you sent me. Girl, where on earth do you come up with these stories? I find it hard to believe you rarely leave the house, given the things you write.” She fanned herself. “The alpha in this one? Wow.”