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)
“Part of my job,” she said.
“Haven’t seen you in a while.” I had thought I’d seen her on set a few days prior, but I must have been mistaken. Or if she’d been there, she’d avoided me.
“Been busy. Leaving you to do what you do best, Nicky boy. You don’t need me around to act.”
“I suppose not.”
I looked at her, meeting her eyes. She didn’t look angry today. Or cold. She looked like the MJ I remembered.
“You have time to have dinner tonight?” she asked. “I know you leave tomorrow night.”
“Oh, I already told Amber I wanted to look over the rushes,” I lied. I was leaving early, but I didn’t want MJ to know and risk a crowd at LAX. I’d be on the red-eye flight and in Toronto by morning with the time change.
“Yeah, I heard you’ve been hanging around here a lot.”
“Keeps me busy and focused.”
She nodded, looking disappointed, but she didn’t argue.
“You didn’t go to your audition.”
I shut my eyes, preparing for a fight. “I don’t want the part, MJ.”
“Shame. It would be a great role.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. It feels all wrong.”
She sighed but, to my shock, let it go. “Okay, I’ll let you get to it. Safe travels, Nicky.”
“Thanks, MJ. For the packing, and these.” I held up the bag. “I appreciate it.”
She smiled. “Be safe. Call me if you need something or if they’re mistreating you. Don’t let any of the polar bears eat you.”
“I’m pretty sure they stay away from the cities,” I responded with a smile.
“Well, don’t go looking for them. And don’t do anything foolish. Like fall in love.”
Her statement took me by surprise, and I had no words to respond. No denial.
Our eyes met, hers searching, mine shocked. The look on her face changed with whatever she saw in my expression. It hardened, along with her gaze.
“I guess it’s too late for that.”
She slammed the door behind her.
It was the longest flight of my life. I knew there would be a driver waiting for me when I arrived, and he would take me to the hotel in Port Albany. Amber had been in heaven when she’d told me the town was a gold mine for the film shoot. There was a building they could use for corporate interiors, a house for Roxie, one for Duncan.
“So much scope, Nicholas,” she enthused. “Never mind the place they all live. It’s incredible.” She had laughed. “Mila’s family is so big, we can use a bunch of them for extras. It’s cutting costs. We’ll only have to do a short time in Toronto for some exteriors and a couple street scenes. I might come in under budget.” She winked. “Then I get a bonus.”
I had laughed with her. I was looking forward to seeing where Mila spent her time. I was also incredibly nervous about meeting her family but, at the same time, looking forward to it as well.
I had gotten through LAX without an issue, keeping my head down and my glasses firmly on my face. I barely slept on the flight, wishing I had told Mila I was coming early so she would be there. I would call her from the hotel and arrange to see her as soon as possible.
The terminal was busy, and I was pleased to see the driver’s sign with the code I’d been given. In the back seat of the car, I sat back, watching the scenery. It was a busy road, reminding me of LA, but the vista was different. Slightly overcast today, Toronto was definitely cooler than California. To my surprise, I fell asleep, waking when the car stopped. I blinked in confusion at the sight of the pretty two-story house in front of me. The driver turned and handed me an envelope, and I opened it as he slid from the car, getting my suitcase out.
You have two days—it’s all I could arrange.
Enjoy,
Andi
Bewildered, I stepped from the car. “Are you sure this is right?” I asked.
He nodded. “Those were my instructions. Have a good day.”
He reversed and I stood, gazing around. It was a nice subdivision. Well-placed houses, wide streets, and I swore I could hear water somewhere close.
Had Andi arranged a house for me and Mila? Was that why I was here?
A voice calling out startled me, and I stepped back as a huge-looking man came closer. Beside him was a small woman, and their hands were clasped. He stopped in front of me, eyeing me up and down. I had a feeling he found me lacking.
“Can I help you, son? You lost?” He frowned, his voice deep and not happy. “How did you get in here?”
Another man appeared, equally as large, waving at him. “It’s all good,” he called. “I got this.”
A noise behind the first giant drew my attention, and my heart stuttered at the sight of the person standing on the steps of the house.