Fame (26 page)

‘!ene that he knew inside a,nd out. ,

“So… you know what I m going,to ask next.’ : Katy knit her brows.]No, I don’t.’

“Is he a go,,od kisser? ,,

“Rhond,a,! Katy exhaled hard. It was acting.”

“Please.’ Rhonda gave a sarcastic moan. “Give me a break, : Katy. You spent the morni,,ng doing a romantic scene with the rna,n,. Can h.e, kiss or what? iii’

Well, let s just say he s had a lot of practice.”

“So he’s good at it, right?”

“The truth?” Katy slid her feet around on the cool bedspread and slipped her free hand beneath her head.

“Of course the truth. The whole truth.”

5 “It was amazing, Rhonda. For about three seconds I cornforgot where I was or what I was doing. Seriously.” “What’d the director say?”

“We got it right on the first take. He didn’t think chemistry going to be a problem for the two of us.”

“No wonder they offered you the part.” Rhonda’s voice took ;on a dreamlike quality. “I can’t believe it, Katy. This is really i lhappening to you.”

“I know.” Katy’s smile faded. She would tell her about Pepperthe rest of the day later. When she had a chance to sort .,through her feelings.

“But that doesn’t mean things will change, me and not for us.”

“Okay. Thanks for saying that.”

The conversation ended, and Katy got ready for bed. But as 218

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she lay there awake she wondered at herself. If she really was de siring God’s will, then she’d have to listen carefully. Otherwise she wouldn’t hear Him above her own excitement.

And that night proved just how excited she was, because she could hardly sleep.

She kept replaying the scene from the movie in her head and imagining six weeks on location with Dayne. She still believed what she’d told Rhonda a few days earlier. He was the last person on earth she’d fall for. She knew nothing about him, except what the public knew.

But he was fun to be with, and that told her two things—first, that the six weeks with him would be a blast. But second, she’d have to be careful.

Very careful.

The next morning Dayne sent a car for Katy, and she met him in the snack room across from the soundstage.

“Ready to look over the second half of the script?” “Definitely.” They had something easy between them now, as if in the past day they’d made a connection that was comfortable for both of them. She pointed to one of the tables. “Should we stay here?”

“No.” He grinned. “This place gets too busy.” He nodded to her. “Follow me.”

He gave her a tour of the studio first. While they walked, their shoulders touched every once in a while. He showed her where various sitcoms and movies had been shot, and he explained that Dream On would probably be filmed in two locations—New York City and Thousand Oaks, a suburb of Los Angeles.

“Why?” Their pace was slow and casual, not too different from the way it had been in the scene the day before.

“Thousand Oaks can pass for a small town, especially if you get out into the farmland areas between there and Moorpark.”

219

KAR E N KIN GSBU RY

: Suddenly she thought of something. This was her opportuty, her chance to talk to him about his visit to the theater. btey, I have an idea.”

it “What?” They were walking past the most beautiful flower arden. Dayne stopped, picked a petunia, and handed it to her. i’What’s your idea?”

, “Thank you.” She took the flower, and for a moment she was I0o flustered to remember even having an idea, let alone what it vas. But then,it hit her again.

“You should use Bloomington. ihat way you d get a real small-town atmosphere.

The areas

‘ound town are perfect.”

i,. He cocked his head thoughtfully. ‘That’s a thought.”

“Dayne.. 2’ She stopped and turned to him, the sun shining bn her face. “You’ve been to Bloomington, haven’t you?” i,”, “Me?” For a heartbeat it looked like he might deny it. But De,n, he s,h,,rugged. “Yeah, it’s a nice place.” i’ ‘Why? She narrowed her eyes, trying to see into the deeper laces behind the famous smil,,e. “You came to the theater for ten inutes and left. How come?

“I was passing through.” He looked down and started walking igain. “It’d been a long time since I’d seen community theater.” He looked back at her and grinned.

“Come on. It wasn’t a big

i’ She didn’t believe him, but she caught up and fell in step beSide him again.

“Is that why you wanted me to read for the part? ecause you saw me there?”

in Dayne hesitated. He looked like he was choosing his words refully. “Yeah it was ” He gave a casual toss of his hands. !,i’Happens all the time, Katy You see someone for a few minutes, land next time there’s a casting decision, that person comes to i;lind.” He smiled at her. “Lots of women read for this part, lots ipf talented actresses. But I kept picturing her the way you looked hat night onstage.”

“So it wasn’t my TV movie?” The information was heady.

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Dayne had seen her and remembered her, and now she was his top choice to star in the film with him.

“It was a few things.” He chuckled. “I had someone check your background, see if you had any acting experience. They found the pilot, and after I watched it I knew you could handle the part.” lie gave her a lopsided smile. “Nothing more than that.”

The pieces were coming together. “But why were you in Bloomington?”

For the first time, a whisper of panic flashed in Dayne’s eyes. He stuck his hands in his pockets and gave an easy kick at a loose rock on the sidevalk. “I told you, just passing through.”

“Come on.” She lowered her chin and brought the petunia close to her nose, trying hard to keep things light. “From where?”

Hhis time his answer was quick. “Hhe university. I have a friend who teaches drama there.” He raised his eyebrows at her, teasing her. “I was a guest speaker for the afternoon classes. I was heading back to Indianapolis for my flight the next morning when I saw your theater.”

A low jet rumbled by, and she waited until it passed. His story was believable, and she didn’t know him well enough to push him at this point. But something was missing—it had to be. Why wouldn’t he have spent the evening with the professor friend? And why had he been driving through downtown? There was easy freeway access from the university.

But he was finished talking about Bloomington; she could telL.

When the plane passed, he motioned ahead of them to a trailer not far from the main studio. “Whenever I’m in town, this is mine.” He started walking again.

“The studio has me for my next four movies. This was one of the perks.”

“Nice.” She felt breathless. Reading a script with Dayne alone in his trailer?

Her brief time with him told her she could trust him. But how smart was this?

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He led the way inside and pointed to a table, a chair, and a “There’s the script. You can get started. I’ll make us some-to eat.”

The trailer was fully stocked with pastries, bagels, and mufThe refrigerator held juice and a couple dozen eggs, among

tler things. Dayne moved easily around the small kitchen, and remembered what he’d said the day before—that most of nights were spent home alone watching movies. He probably most of his own meals. The thought made him seem more almost like any other guy.

She picked up the script and thumbed to the middle. It was to have a chance to look through it. That way if there was

she wouldn’t feel right about filming, she’d know it be-agreeing to take the part. The story line was good, funny and strong with twists no aue would expect.

She was caught up in it when Dayne joined placing two plates of scrambled eggs and sliced fruit on the

He took the chair opposite her, and she felt herself relax. !lie wasn’t interested in,her, and just because he brought her to his private trailer didn t mean he wanted to reenact the scene .they’d done the day before.

She held up the script. “I like it.” She gave him a thoughtful ‘ook. “It’s perfect for this kind of story.” “Yeah.” He slid to the edge of his seat and held her eyes for a few seconds. “If you take the part it will be.” A file sat on a :,i smaller table next to him, and he reached for it. He took a docu’

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merit from inside it and held it out to her. “This is a contract, it(aty. The third paragraph shows what we’ll pay you,”

She pushed the script away. Her hands were unsteady as she took the contract.

She was almost afraid to look, but she did anyway, The amount made her gasp. It was a high six-figure num!her, a sum she would never earn in a lifetime of directing CKT i productions.

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She looked at him and shook her head. “Dayne… that’s unbelievable.”

“That’s what everyone will say three years from now when you’re making five million a film.” He leaned back, and a satisfied smile tugged at his lips.

“They’ll all want to know how we ever got you for such a low price.”

Her heart was pounding so hard she wondered if he could hear it from across the table. With everything in her, she wanted to tell him yes. Yes, she’d take this incredible opportunity. Yes, she’d work a few weeks for a lifetime paycheck, working beside him in a film that was both funny and poignant, a movie that was clean enough for her to risk her reputation on.

But a still, small voice inside her was saying something, and Katy calmed herself long enough to listen. Wait, daughter… wait on Me.

She closed her eyes and took a slow breath through her nose. Fine, God, I’ll wait. But it’s yes. I know it is. She opened her eyes, set the contract on the table next to the script, and grinned at Dayne. “Can I be honest?”

“I hope so.” He crossed one leg over the other, his eyes dancing. “I’d sign it right now, but…” She reminded herself to exhale. “I need a week. Just to pray about it and make sure it’s the right thing.” She winced. “Is that okay?”

“Sure.” His answer was quick, and the disappointment in his eyes lasted only an instant. “Mitch’ll want an answer no later than that, okay?”

“Definitely.” She wanted to run over and hug him again, but she contained herself. There would be plenty of opportunity for hugs in the weeks to come.

“I’ll probably have an answer sooner.”

“Good.” He bit his lip, studying her. “So, what about CKT and your life in Bloomington? Are you ready to give it up?”

“No.” She gave a polite laugh. “Filming the movie wouldn’t take more than a few weeks. I’ll miss one of the CKT shows, but that’s all. I don’t want to leave Bloomington.”

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KARE N KIN G SBU RY

Something in his eyes changed. “I guess I never asked you. Is someone there? I mean, are you seeing someone?” “No.” She felt her cheeks grow hot. Was she embarrassed that her age there was no one serious in her life, or was she half

he was asking for other reasons? She wasn’t sure. “No, not that. It’s just that I like what I do. I don’t want to leave it.” “Katy…” He stood and went to the kitchen for two glasses of

uice. He took one and gave the other to her, then sat facher. “Before you say yes, you have to be willing to give it up. of it.” She searched his eyes, trying to see if he was serious. He was.

..” She shook her head. “I guess I don’t understand. It’s my right?”

He chuckled. “You really don’t know how good you are.” He tioned to the script.

“That’s just the beginning, Katy. You’ll

more offers than you know what to do with.” His expression “This was your dream, remember? You said a minute that you like what you do with the kids theater. But acting, ? That’s something you used to love. You told me so yesterat

Pepperdine. Aren’t I right? Wasn’t acting your dream?” Her head was spinning. He was right; she’d said that. But what

CKT? From the beginning she’d told herself she could go that she could handle a short season of fame and return to life she’d been living. But now… She looked at him. “Yes. It was my dream for most of my life.” “Well, then, Miss Katy Hart … maybe the sign from God looking for—” he took the contract and handed it to her more time—”is right here.”

Katy was on her way out of the studio with the same driver picked her up this morning when they nearly collided

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with another car. The vehicle pulled out right in front of them, so Katy’s driver had to swerve into the next lane.

Katy caught a glimpse of the person who nearly caused the wreck, and the woman’s look sent chills down her arms. Her eyes were wide and intense, and they looked at Katy straight on. The woman was maybe in her forties, her hair yellow and coarse. She looked like a lunatic.

The driver muttered something under his breath. ‘No-good paparazzi.”

“Paparazzi?” Katy stared straight ahead as her driver pulled up alongside the woman. “She doesn’t look like a reporter, really.”

“Ah, they come in all sizes. But that one’s here just about every day. Parks in a different spot each time.” He waved his thumb over his shoulder at the car they were passing. “But it’s al ways that same old yellow Honda.”

Katy was barely listening by this point. They hadn’t collided; that’s all that mattered. Besides, all she could think about was the fact that she’d be having dinner with Dayne tonight at the studio—his idea since she was leaving tomorrow. They’d proba bly spend more time talking about what he’d told her earlier to day.

The fact that maybe the audition and the offer of the part and the contract weren’t merely wonderful events that had taken place in recent weeks, but rather the signs from God she’d been praying for all along.

225 C H A P T E R T W E N T Y

n E P A N :: 1 N O P A R was Ashley’s idea—something fun she and Landon and Kari and Ryan could do. A date night of sorts. She and Landon had been assigned the task of creating the backdrop for Tom Sawyer—something with trees and a winding river and distant buildings that might’ve been seen in the town of Hannibal, Missouri, back in the 1800s. She’d been working since Monday on the design for the enormous canvas. Now it was Wednesday night, and the scene was ready to paint.

They all drove together and picked up cheeseburgers and pop on the way to the Bloomington Community Theater. Each of them was dressed in old work clothes, and Ryan entertained ‘. them on the ride over with stories of the first summer football practice.