Meghan silently clapped her hands.
“Well, I can’t wait to hear it. You sound so excited.”
“You will be too. You know we’ve been working on casting the past couple months. What would you say if I told you that Ledger will be played by none other than...Liam Hamilton!”
Chloe’s gaze met Meghan’s widened eyes. Liam Hamilton washuge. But he was also the biggest Hollywood player the town had ever seen. He’d risen to fame several years ago with a role in Chloe’s favorite rom-com, playing the man who’d cheated on his fiancée with her maid of honor. A part he’d played quite convincingly!
In real life he was just as unfaithful and irreverent. He was a womanizer. If he wasn’t the devil, he was certainly the anti-Ledger!
Simone chuckled. “I can see I’ve shocked you speechless.”
Chloe paced off some of the energy zipping through her like an electric current. She had to speak up. For Ledger, for all his fans, for the good of the movie. Simone had taken some of her feedback on the script. Minor stuff, maybe. But Chloe was the author of the book! She’dcreatedLedger Ford. Surely she should have a say in who played the character some fans (andPublishers Weekly) had called the best book boyfriend of all time.
Chloe stopped in front of Meghan.Say something!she mouthed.
“Chloe?” Simone said.
“Um, yes, I’m here. And I am quite surprised. It’s just...” The words bubbled up inside and boiled over. “I honestly can’t think of a manlessqualified to play Ledger Ford. Ledger isheroicin every sense of the word. He’s larger than life. He exhibits all the qualities that every woman yearns for in a partner. And Liam Hamilton is—”
“Um, Chloe...”
“He’s just not any of those things, and even though I’ve only seen him in one movie, his reputation—”
“Liam is—”
“—certainly precedes him, and surely actors carry those qualities onto the set. I just don’t think he’s—”
“—right here.”
“—appropriate for the part. I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Liam. He’s, ah, right here with me, dear. Right now. Listening.”
“Hello, Chloe,” a deep voice called, sounding somewhat strained.
Chloe’s gaze darted to Meghan, whose brown eyes were so wide in her delicate face it would’ve been comical. Except that it wasn’t.
“So Liam has just signed the contract, in fact!” Simone’s voice rang with false enthusiasm. Something rustled on the other end of the line, then she continued in a hushed voice. “I stepped away from the table. Well, that was very awkward.”
“Did he—?” Chloe cleared the squeak from her voice. “Did he hear everything I just said?”
“I was a little late getting you off speakerphone.”
Chole groaned as she sank her head onto the countertop. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.” Then she remembered the other thing Simone had said. “Wait. He signed the contract?”
“It’s a done deal.”
Ugh. She covered her face. Like it or not (not!),Liam Hamiltonwould be playing Ledger. Oh, why hadn’t they asked her first? They’d talked about casting and not once had Liam’s name come up. Not once!
“I thought you’d be pleased. We found out Chris Evans wasn’t available, and Liam is well-known and his work is stellar. The studio is so excited he’s taken the role. They’re aware of his publicity problem and will be keeping a close watch. We’ve definitely got some work to do there. But trust me, they’ll handle it, and he’ll end updrawing a big audience, and that’s exactly what we want. I know what I’m doing, Chloe. You have nothing to worry about.”
She ignored the terrible sinking sensation in her stomach. Whatever. It was done. This was the woman who was making her movie happen. Time for Chloe to pull up her big-girl pants. She injected some enthusiasm into her voice. “I’m sure you’re right. You’re the filmmaking expert—I’m just a writer.”
“An amazing writer. But you have to trust me on this. Liam will be perfect opposite Daisy. They’ll have loads of chemistry, you’ll see. The studio wants Ledger’s character to shine as much as you do. They realize his importance to the film’s success, and we’ll do everything possible to make sure your writing magic translates to the big screen.”
“Of course. I’m sure you will.”
“Everything’s on schedule for filming to begin in June.” It would take about three months and would take place right here in Stillwater Bay, where her book had been set.
