Page 4 of Three Little Wishes

Willow put down her coffee mug, cleared a claw-size space on Veronica’s desk, and then climbed on top of it. She ignored Don, who was on the phone, motioning for her to get off the desk.

She stuck two fingers in her mouth, whistling for everyone’s attention. “Come on, people. This is a hiccup. We’ve gotthis. We’ll pitch the idea to Elliot as if our guest celebrity has already confirmed. We know she will, right?” Willow put a hand behind her ear. “Right?” She got a few lackluster responses and said it again, louder this time.

She smiled encouragingly when several of the guys yelled, “Right!”

“That’s more like it!” She pumped her fist and then continued. “I got Don on board with my presentation forGood Morning, Sunshine!And if I can convince Don, I sure as heck can convince Noah Elliot. Right?” She got several subdued “Right”s.

“Oh, come on. I’m wounded,” she said to the downcast faces gathered around her. She lifted her gaze to the guys standing around the cameras on the set. “When have any of you known a man who can resist a Rosetti when she has her mind set on something?”

“Never!” the cameramen shouted while several of her female colleagues snickered.

“You know it. I’ve got this,” she said in a singsong voice, adding a little shimmy-shake. “All I have to do is get my hook into Noah Elliot and reel him in.” She cast an imaginary fishing line and reeled it in, earning herself some laughter and, even better, smiling faces. She could do this.Theycould do this.

Veronica tapped her claw-foot, and Willow looked down. Widening her eyes, Veronica lifted her chin at something behind Willow.

She turned to see a man standing in the lobby. She’d know those inky, arrogant eyebrows and sardonic dark eyes anywhere. It was Mercedes Man. He was way taller and waybroader than he’d looked sitting behind the wheel, and even more intimidating.

She fisted her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here? Did you follow me?”

Before he could answer, Don hurried past the desk, throwing her an exasperated look while extending his hand to Mercedes Man. “Mr. Elliot, welcome to Channel 5!”

Chapter Two

Camilla Monroe read the last line of dialogue and lowered the script onto her lap. She glanced at Hugh, the director, from under her fake lashes, trying to gauge his reaction to her audition.

Although she wouldn’t exactly call it an audition, more of a formality than anything. Hugh knew her work. He’d directed her in the movie for which she’d received her first and only Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actress. She also considered him a friend. They’d known each other for fifteen years.

His auburn head was bent, nodding at something his pink-haired, twentysomething assistant was showing him on her phone. The young woman had annoyed Camilla from the moment she’d ushered her into the room. She was direct to the point of rudeness, barely looking up from her iPad. No respect, no warmth whatsoever. Camilla didn’t know what was wrong with these Gen Zers. She much preferred Brenda, Hugh’s previous PA. She’d loved Camilla.

This woman clearly did not, and it was just as clear to Camilla from the PA’s sidelong glances while she whispered in Hugh’s ear that she was critiquing her reading. Camillahad to get ahead of this. She needed this role too badly to let this… this pink-haired teenager sway Hugh.

Camilla’s career was in desperate need of a reboot. Her image could use one too.

She looked at the script, praying that wasn’t the reason for Pinky’s whispers. People in the industry didn’t read tabloids anymore, did they? Besides, even if Hugh’s assistant did, what was the old adage? No publicity is bad publicity, right?

She briefly closed her eyes before pasting on a wide, confident smile. “I love everything Liane Morrison writes, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you considered me for the role, Hugh,” she gushed.Too much?she wondered.

She meant it, though. She’d read and loved every single one of Liane Morrison’s novels, and the movie adaptations to date had been fabulous. Camilla had known from the moment she’d read the script that this one would be the same. The perfect vehicle to relaunch her career. It hadaward winnerstamped all over it.

Hugh lifted his head and smiled. He was a lovely man with fabulous hair, a handsome face, and warm eyes. He reminded her a little of Sam Heughan, the actor fromOutlander. Hugh’s assistant caught Camilla studying him and raised a microbladed eyebrow, a proprietary look in her eyes.

Really, Hugh?Camilla wanted to say. He was forty-seven, the same age as her. What could he possibly see in a woman young enough to be his daughter? Camilla lost a little respect for him, and she’d respected him immensely. She’d thought he was different but she should’ve known better. All men were the same. Always on the lookout for an upgrade, trading you in as soon as a bright, shiny younger model came along.

Camilla swept her hair over her shoulder, glad she’dlistened to her assistant. Sometimes she thought Gail knew her better than she knew herself. Her new look had given Camilla the confidence boost she needed for today. The colorist had done an amazing job weaving honey and caramel lowlights throughout her creamy-blond hair. The warm colors complemented her tanned skin tone to perfection. The stylist had completed her makeover with soft bangs and layers that made her look more than a decade younger. According to Gail, she could pass for thirty-two.

While on the one hand, the compliment was just what Camilla needed to hear, it was also slightly concerning. She didn’t want to looktooyoung. The role she was reading for was that of a forty-year-old mother of two, Rachel West.

Camilla glanced at Hugh. His head was once again bent over his assistant’s iPad. It sounded as if they were reviewing Camilla’s reading. Fine, let them. It had been one of her best auditions in years. She’d nailed it. Except Hugh seemed unusually distracted and that worried her. It was his assistant’s fault. Every time he’d opened his mouth to say something to Camilla, she’d shown him something on her screen.

Camilla cleared her throat and subtly arched her back, ensuring her boobs were shown off to their best advantage in the cream-silk wraparound dress. Her implants were fabulous and worth every penny she’d scrimped and saved when she’d first started out. They were the best investment she’d ever made. Her toothpaste-commercial-worthy smile came a close second. She flashed it at Hugh as soon as he lifted his head. He could date whomever he wanted. She didn’t care. All she cared about was getting this damn part.

“This role was made for me, Hugh,” she said, crossing her legs, letting the red Jimmy Choo dangle flirtatiously fromher toes. His assistant rolled her eyes. Camilla didn’t care if Pinky thought she was a sellout to womankind as long as she drew Hugh’s attention to her long, toned legs, which were the result of daily two-hour sessions with her trainer. She’d use any means at her disposal to get this job—apart from sleeping with anyone, of course. If she didn’t get this role, she was terrified her career would be over.

“IamRachel West.” Camilla wasn’t blowing smoke. She’d identified almost immediately with Rachel. Like Camilla’s, Rachel’s life had imploded upon her discovering her husband was having an affair with a woman two decades her junior. Something else Camilla could sadly identify with: the young woman Rachel had taken under her wing at work was gunning for her job. The last two roles Camilla had auditioned for had been won by the much younger woman she’d mentored and considered a friend. She should’ve known better. It was a cutthroat industry. Everyone was out for themselves.

Hugh drew his eyes from her legs, clearing his throat before offering her what looked like a self-conscious smile. “Your read-through was great, Cami.” His assistant said something under her breath. He glanced at her, nodded, and then returned his attention to Camilla while refusing to meet her gaze. Camilla wanted to howl.

“We’re wrapping up auditions for Rachel today, and we hope to have a decision by the end of the week.”

---