Funny how that optimism had appeared after the movie premier and the publicity surge. Not long ago, Sylvia had beentalking about pivots and declining sales. Again, I kept that thought to myself.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said. “I should find Seraphina.”
I found her tucked into a booth, talking to a woman I didn’t recognize. She had dark hair pulled back in a low bun, a simple navy dress, and a warm laugh that carried over the music.
“Hunter.” Seraphina reached for my hand, pulling me into the conversation. “This is Nina Voss. She wrote the screenplay.”
“The adaptation was incredible,” I said. “You really captured something.”
“Are you familiar with her books?” Nina asked.
“I certainly am. All sixty-one of them. In fact, I’d love to see more of them land on your desk. You really understand her sensibility.”
Nina’s eyes crinkled when she smiled. “It’s all Seraphina. The source material was so rich. The characters so clearly drawn. I just tried not to mess it up.”
“She’s being modest,” Seraphina said. “The way you wove the stories together was brilliant.”
“I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Nina shrugged. “Screenplays are just a different beast.”
“Nina has two kids,” Seraphina told me. “She understands the single mom life.”
“Knew,” Nina corrected. “Past tense, thankfully. I got lucky a few years ago and met someone wonderful. But when I readThe Bellflower Girls, I knew it had to be me. I called my agent that day and begged her to get me the gig.”
“She fought for it,” Seraphina said. “There were other writers interested.”
“None of them would have loved it like I did.” Nina touched Seraphina’s arm. “Which brings me to something I’ve been waiting to tell you all night. Netflix wants to move forward with the next film. Lily’s story.”
Seraphina’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Really. I’m supposed to get started right away. And something else really exciting that I’m not even supposed to know but I’m going to tell you anyway. They want to give you an executive producer credit, in exchange for consulting on the script. Like last time, I’ll ask you to weigh in on things, only you get credit this round.”
I watched Seraphina process this. Shock first, then disbelief, then something that looked like fear.
“I can’t believe it,” Seraphina said.
“This is a fickle business, but once in a while the good guys win. Now, I should go do some schmoozing so I can keep working. Hunter, it was nice to meet you. I’m loving Ivy’s new song.”
“Thank you,” I said.
When Nina left us, Seraphina turned to me, her expression elated.
“I have no idea what it means to be an executive producer, but it sounds pretty great, right?” Seraphina laughed.
“It means they respect you,” I said.
She stared at me for a moment, then threw her arms around my neck. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Over her shoulder, I saw Sylvia hovering nearby, clearly waiting for a moment. Seraphina noticed too and pulled back.
“Sylvia. Hi. Have you heard the news?”
“About the screenplay? Nina just told me. It’s wonderful, Seraphina. Truly.”
“I’m still processing.” Seraphina glanced at me, then back at Sylvia. “Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about. A new project.”
Sylvia’s eyebrows rose. “I’m listening.”
