Page 5 of Words I Couldn't Say
THREE MONTHS HAD PASSED SINCEmy time in Toronto. The movie was in the final production stages, and while I’d felt a bit melancholy when spending time alone in my hotel room, I’d actually ended up having a fantastic time on set. It was a romantic suspense film in which I played an undercover agent who’dnaturallyfallen in love with the enemy. But, naturally, there was a plot twist. My character wasn’t merely a silly damsel believing the lies of the handsome stranger. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say she was always one step ahead, and I loved how empowering I’d felt while playing that role. I had fallen right into character, throwing myself into my work, and by the time I’d gotten back to my hotel at night, I’d been too exhausted to be lonely. Heck, I’d even learned to do some of my own stunts, and from having taken kickboxing lessons when I wasn’t shooting, I was in the best shape of my life.
Fortunately, the film had set me up pretty well financially, so I had some breathing room now that I was back in California. I’d been shooting commercials here and there, waiting for my next role, but not really worrying about it when I got the call from my agent.
I was lounging on the couch, mindlessly watching my nearly worn-out copy ofAbout Time, when my phone rang, interrupting the most pivotal scene. Sniffling, I wiped my tears and hit pause before hopping up to grab my phone from where it was charging on the coffee table. Picking it up, I sawMartin Calling. My stomach flip-flopped, as it always did when he called.
“Hey, Martin,” I said, waiting to hear whatever latest film rejection I was going to get.
“Ava, dahling, are you sitting down? Please tell me you’re sitting down. You’re going to want to be sitting down for this.” His thick British accent was rushed and excitable.
Something in his tone told me I needed to listen to him, so I sat on the edge of the couch, wondering why I needed to be doing so. “I…I’m sitting, Martin. What’s going on?” I asked, my wide gaze racing to Tawni’s curious ones.
“What’s going on?” my roommate mouthed.
I shook my head, having no clue.
“Sweetheart, I just received a call from Jonathan Myers’s office.”
My heart nearly stopped beating. Jonathan Myers was one of Hollywood’s hottest producers. In the past ten years, he’d been associated with at least seven blockbusters that had knocked those countless superhero movies off the top spot at the box office. At only thirty-four, he was a legend—not only in Hollywood, but all over the world. I’d have probably fainted if I’d even spotted the man across the aisle in the grocery store.
“Uh huh…” I replied dumbly, unable to formulate actual words.
“The newestNew York Timesbest-seller, that romance novel that’s been making waves for months? His studio bought the rights. They’re adapting the book to film, and he wants you for the starring role!” He was practically gushing.
Words my brain couldn’t wrap itself around.
“Ava? Did you hear what I said?” Martin asked.
I shook myself out of my stupor. “He wants me to come in and read?” I asked, attempting to make sense of what he was saying.
Holy crap! Only a select few read for Jonathan Myers, and the best of the best were chosen for his movies. And he wanted me?
“No, dahling. He doesn’t want you to read for the part. Hewantsyou for the part! Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
“I… I…”
“Ava! This is it! This is what we’ve been waiting for. It’s your big break. Your road to becoming the next Hollywood sweetheart starts with Jonathan Myers and this film.”
“Oh my goodness,” I breathed, barely registering the rest of Martin’s excited ramblings. I listened, giving yes answers when necessary, and then hung the phone up after Martin’s promise to e-mail me all the details.
I slid down to the couch cushion and set my phone on the coffee table in front of me. My eyes were blinking rapidly as I tried to process just how momentous this was.
Wine. This called for copious amounts of wine.
What the heck just happened?
I realized belatedly that I hadn’t thought the words. Tawni had said them. I glanced across the room and saw her eying me.
She anxiously waved her hand in the air. “Well?”
“I got a starring role in a major motion picture. Without even auditioning for it.”
The words sounded ridiculous coming from my mouth. But, if Martin was to be trusted—and he’d never joke about this—they were true.
