No, it was better this way.Better to keep who he was and his connections to Kathryn to himself.
“Hey, don’t look so dejected.”He reached over and took her hand in his, his body immediately warming at the connection.“I’m sorry I was so frank, but it’s the time of Christmas miracles, right?Maybe we’ll get that Christmas miracle.”
“Yeah, maybe we will.”
Not quite the response he was hoping for, but by the time he left, he’d have her smiling again.“Okay, let’s do this.Let’s write down all the people you want, that you initially discarded, and then we’ll draft an email and research the best way to contact them.I can stay as long as you need me to.”
“But don’t you need your sleep?”she asked.
“Surprisingly, I’m not feeling that tired.Must have been the wonderful meal you made for me.”He winked, and a tiny thrill went through him when he saw the rosy color in her cheeks.
“I promise I didn’t put anything into it that would keep you awake.”
Because he still had a hold of her hand, he gave it a squeeze.“I know.But I’m enjoying being here with you.”
And that was the truth.He was having a good time, even though everything about what they were working on had the potential to make him uncomfortable.He was finding he was willing to live with this discomfort for Tilly.
“I promise I won’t keep you late.Let’s get started.”
For the next hour they made two lists—one for the stars that Tilly had wanted, but didn’t think she could get, and another for the people that she’d be happy if they would be a part of it.While Tilly worked on preparing the email she wanted to send, he set about finding contact details for everyone.
“Wow, how did you find out all these email addresses so quickly?”
“Easy.”Zach turned the laptop around and showed her the site he was looking at.“I searched how to get in contact with stars and their agents, and this was one of the listings that came up.”
In fact, it was easier than that.He was well aware of the website, but he wasn’t going to tell Tilly that.
“Really?It was that easy?I can’t believe they have that information out there?”
“You can find anything you want on the internet.”
“I know, it’s just...”She shrugged.“I suppose given that they’re in the public eye, they would have a way for people to contact their agents or send fan mail.”
“That’s right.”Zach knew firsthand how far people would go to get in front of a star.There was a reason they all lived behind twenty-foot-high walls.They may have an occupation that pays well and puts them in the limelight, but they were entitled to their privacy, just as much as the average person was.There were some exceptions to the rule, of course.Stars who craved to be recognized.Who did everything to have the spotlight on them.
A few more beats of silence passed before Tilly sighed and handed her notebook over to him.“Can you read this, please, and tell me if it’s succinct and to the point without being overly aggressive.Feel free to make changes.”
Like she’d done with the form, she preferred to handwrite things out before typing.The number of balled-up pieces of paper littering the top of the table told the story—she’d started and changed her mind quite a few times.
Zach read it over.“There’s nothing about this I’d change.You’ve stated your case.Given them a good breakdown of everything that’s involved.What you’d like them to do.The importance of the event, not only to you but to the town.”
“There’s really nothing that needs to change or more I should put in?”
He looked up, seeing the uncertainty shining in her eyes.How many times had she been knocked down by someone who didn’t believe in her?Or was it Tilly herself who didn’t believe in what she could accomplish?
“I think you’ve done an amazing job with this email.”
Her smile brightened, and he imagined she was doing a happy dance on the inside—Tilly looked like that sort of person.Someone who was bubbly and happy all the time.Their little dance at the top of the stairs when they’d first met was a testament to that.
“Thank you, Zach.That means so much to me.Now, do we do a bulk email or individual ones?”
“Individual.With these types of people, you have to make them feel important.Stroke their ego.Make them think they’re the only person you’re contacting.”As much as he tried, he couldn’t keep the cynicism out of his voice.
“Sounds like you’re not too fond of them,” Tilly commented mildly as she took the paper back and started typing out the email.
“It’s not that.I...”He paused, not sure what he could say without giving away how closely he was connected with people in Hollywood.“I lived in LA for a while.I ran into a lot of wannabe actors and actresses.There are a few places where you see them, even when you’re not trying to look for them.”
He thought what he’d said was truthful, but also didn’t give anything away.
