Accidental Action Star (15 page)

“In Texas, they teach you to go home with the one who brought you.”

“In California, we take what we want.”

Eva stared at me. “Hannah. Come over here a second.”

I came to her side, and she repositioned her laptop so I could see the screen. “The actress on the
Time Kick
trailer looks like you. Just like you.” She increased the image size.

“Oh wow. I haven’t seen that one. Play it again.”

Eva’s mouth dropped open, and she looked at me like she’d never seen me before. “It is you?”

“Yeah.”

As she gaped at me, her ringtone for work went off.

I suspected I knew what the call was about. “You going to get that?”

“No. I want to hear about the movie.” Eva checked the screen on her phone as if to confirm it was work and her nose wrinkled. “It’s my manager.” Click. “Hello.” She listened a few minutes, made murmurs of dazed agreement and hung up. “They’re moving me to the ticket booth.”

“Awesome.” I hugged her.

She hugged me back. “They said they talked to the studio. And that when
Time Kick
opens, they’re going to send over the actress who plays the Snow Queen to sign autographs.”

I grinned.

“But only if
I’m
working the booth.”

***

I entered the Art Department, ready for my Exit Interview. The space around Archie’s desk was suspiciously clear. I took a seat in the side chair and drew in a deep breath. I crossed my legs and cupped my hands over my knees, posture straight. I didn’t know how this would work, a questionnaire, a performance review, or simply him throwing paint on me.

Archie reclined on his tall stool, his elbows on the drafting table behind him. “Pretzel?” Archie twisted his wrist, offering me some of his q-shaped garlic parmesan pretzel.

“No thanks.”

The pretzel dropped back down. “Tell me why you deserve a paying job in the fall, when you didn’t get the original forms for
Dragon Night
signed?”

I took a deep breath. I knew this question was coming. “Max hated the artwork. If I’d gotten those signed, the project would have failed.”

“Actors are a pain in the butt.”

I nodded in agreement.

Archie worked his jaw. “If you’d have given up, there’d be no job.”

A flicker of hope lit.

“If you’d have whined that the drawings were pervy and left it at that, there’d be no job.” He maneuvered his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest, not caring that the pretzel was leaving a grease stain on his shirt. “I didn’t give you a script. You took the initiative and got one. You put in suggestions for the project. You know the software, and have talent.”

The hope must have shown on my face, because Archie raised his pretzel in caution. “However. Switching your artwork for Justin’s—not cool.”

I sat up straighter. “It was a crapshoot. I was fighting to get approval, and I thought it would work. I was wrong.”

Archie made an elongated “well” sound. He turned his back to me and picked up one of the Character Approval forms for
Dragon Night
. The form was attached to one of my drawings, and it had Max’s signature on the bottom. “I don’t want you to think that you got the job because you got those forms signed or even because you contributed to the artwork.”

I knew in that moment he was giving me the job. Tears bit my eyes. I’d get to work in art. On movies. While going to school. Everything. It was everything I wanted in a job. I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Aw, hell, don’t go all girly on me. You got the job because you fought for it. Every day. Even today in this interview. People who give up on what they want, don’t get squat in life.”

Justin appeared at Archie’s side. “Enough with the official stuff already.” He dragged me over to the desk I’d used all summer. The artists had made a plaque with my name on it. “Your desk.”

I grinned and sat down, holding on to the edges of my seat. The same chair I’d used all summer now felt different. I wanted to be dismissive or eloquent, but true joy overwhelmed me and I could only sit there and smile. Justin patted my shoulder and returned to his own desk. I grabbed my phone and texted the good news to Max, then Mom, Powder, Marissa, and Eva.

“Delivery for Hannah Sims.”

I looked up from my messages.

Max stood in the doorway. He held a cut crystal vase containing red roses, star-gazer lilies, and orange blossoms. “I thought we could go to lunch on your last day.” His deep voice on top of my already great mood was crazy awesome. I stood, and Max strode toward me with the gift.

Justin seemed to be eying how effective the floral-gesture would be.

It was very effective. I smiled bigger, all twinkly and happy inside.

“Maybe I will go introduce myself to Lorene,” Justin said. “Take her some flowers.”

Max handed me the heavy vase. The crystal caught the light from the window and sunshine rainbows flashed on my desktop. Beautiful. I breathed in the fragrance, unable to shake my smile. Orange blossoms weren’t only for the talent. Sometimes interns got them too. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Max moved closer. He touched my hand.

I entwined our fingers. “Did you get my text? The Art Department gave me a job. I’ll be here in the fall.” I tightened my hold and checked his expression for signs of commitment-phobic fear.

He stroked his thumb over the back of my hand. “Looks like you have a lunch date this fall too.” The sunlight made a shadow with his long eyelashes.

I wanted to draw it. I made my face serious. “Are you going to let me sketch you?”

“Yes.”

I grinned. “Then you have a date.”

Max moved closer. “Love that.”

He loved that, did he? Glowing warmth swirled through me, and I thought I’d push him a little further. I’d see how much more wonderful my day could get—I’d see how much more wonderful Max could get. “Love
that
?”

“Love you.” He bent and kissed me.

---THE END---

Thanks for reading.  Thank you for the reviews.  I try to read them all. 

P.S. For older readers, I plan to release an “adult” romance Summer 2014 under the pen name Aylee Bay. Hope you like it.

All the best,

~Emily

Other books in this series include:

The Accidental Movie Star

The Accidental TV Star

The Boarding School Experiment

Prep School Experiment

Whenever

The Prince with Amnesia

The Kissing Deadline

Do Over

For upcoming books and other information, visit

www.EmilyEvansBooks.com
.

ACCIDENTAL ACTION STAR

Copyright March 2014 by Emily Evans

Formatted by
IRONHORSE Formatting

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to Emily Evans at
[email protected]
.

[1. Fiction. 2. Romance. 3. Young Adult.]

Thanks to Editor Tracy Seybold.

Thanks to Proofreader Ailsa Campbell.

Thanks to awesome Beta-readers Jennifer & Michelle.

Thanks to Joellen, Gail, Barbie, Stacy, Teresa, and Veronica for listening.

Thanks to Wayne for the push.

Thanks! You’re awesome: Brennan, Joseph, Mishann, Megan, Rachel, Darlene, Heather, Jeff, Trevor, my aunts, uncles, Mom, and Dad.