I didn’t tell her you were going to ask her, asshole. That’s up to you. I don’t have a death wish.
His last words make me chuckle.
Just as I’m about to set my phone aside, it rings. I look down to see Hank’s name flashing on the screen.
“Perfect timing,” I mutter before answering. “Hey, Hank.”
“Rowan!” My agent bellows through the phone. “How’s small-town life treating you?”
“Just getting settled in,” I say, wandering over to the window.
“Excellent. Listen, I’ve got some good news.” Papers rustle as his chair squeaks in the background. “I’ve been talking to the studio execs. They’re impressed with how you’ve been keeping such a low profile over the past couple of months. No more scandals or tabloid headlines. They’re starting to believe you might actually be serious about the director gig.”
A grin flashes across my face. “Iamserious about it.”
“I know you are, kid. Now…” His voice drops slightly, taking on that serious tone he uses when he’s about to get down to business. “Have you found a girl yet?”
Leaning against the windowsill, I look out and see a couple walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk across the street. “I’m working on it.”
Surprise colors his voice. “Got someone in mind?”
“Actually, yeah.” An image of Lizzy flashes in my head. Fierce green eyes. That fucking lip ring wrapped around the middle of her plump bottom lip. I can’t stop thinking about how it would feel to slide my tongue across it before sucking it into my mouth. And those tattoos trailing down her arms? Not exactly the wholesome image the studio probably has in mind, but she’s exactly who I want.
There isn’t going to be anything fake about what I’ve got planned. Not if I have anything to say about it. “Do you remember me telling you about my childhood best friend, Lizzy? The one who inspired Eliza’s character?”
“The girl from the treehouse?” Hank lets out a grumbly laugh. “Are you serious? That would be perfect! The press’ll eat it up—Hollywood bad boy goes home, reconnects with his childhood sweetheart. No one could script this any better!”
“Yeah, well, don’t get too excited. She’s not exactly my biggest fan right now.”
“You think you can convince her?”
I sigh, thinking about the anger flashing in Lizzy’s eyes not even ten minutes ago. “I’m gonna try.”
“Do or do not, there is no try, Rowan. Make it happen.” Rolling my eyes at his Star Wars reference, I can practically hear him pacing in his office. The guy is always quote dropping. I’m just glad he didn’ttryusing his Yoda voice this time.
“She isn’t exactly the sweet, innocent girl you’re imagining, Hank.” I can’t help but chuckle, thinking about how Lizzy would react to being described that way. “She’s got tattoos, a lip ring, not to mention she’s a spitfire.”
“I doubt that will matter,” Hank muses. “Childhood sweethearts finding their way back to each other is what’s going to sell it. It’s perfect! God, I could kiss you right now!”
That makes me snort. Typical gruff and reserved Hank is in rare form. “Nah.I’m good.”
He lets out a raspy chuckle. “Get your girl on board, Rowan. Whatever it takes. The studio will fucking love it, and it’ll be the perfect setup for when the movie releases. The publicity alone is going to be worth its weight in gold.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promise, still not entirely convinced I can pull this off.
“That’s my boy! Oh, and send me a picture of her when you can. I want to see this girl who’s got you all tied up in knots.”
“Who says I’m tied up in knots?”
“Please,” he scoffs. “I’ve known you for over a decade. I can hear it in your voice. She’s special. Why else would you make a movie about her?”
Hank might be my agent, but he’s become like a father to me. He’s never done me wrong, and he’s the best at what he does. He’s one of the biggest reasons why I’ve been so successful.
So, I don’t bother denying it. “Yeah, she is.”
“Well then, go get her!”
Shaking my head, I turn away from the window. “I’m on it, Hank. Don’t worry.”
