“Lead the way.” Harlow winked at her friend. With shoulders back and head held high, she followed the woman down the hall to Steven’s office.
With a quick knock on the door, followed by a muffled reply, she was whisked into the inner sanctuary, what Harlow secretly called ground zero, where some of the largest movie industry deals in the world were hammered out.
Steven Treb, a powerful, if notthemost powerful director in Hollywood, was a creative genius at bringing movies to life. Harlow had worked with him on several large projects, including a City of Glass, and was thrilled she would, once again, be working alongside him.
He met her halfway and gave her a warm hug. “Harlow. It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks. Same here.” Harlow leaned back, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You’re looking well, like you’ve been beach bumming.”
“Tahiti for Spring Break. Thanks for noticing.” Steven dismissed the receptionist, reminding her to close the door behind her.
“So…” He settled into his chair behind the desk. “How is your remote island paradise?”
“Warming up.” Harlow took the seat across from him and set her bag on the empty chair. “I’ve spent some of my hard-earned money on a fixer upper.”
“A new man project already?” Steven teased.
“Very funny.” Harlow wagged her finger. “No way. No how. In fact, the countdown has begun. Robert has only a few more months to manage my career before we part ways.”
Steven sobered. “He’s been all over town, marketing his up-and-coming starlet.”
“What did you think of her?”
“She’s drop dead gorgeous.” Steven described Cheyenne to a ‘t.’ “He claims he discovered her up in your neck of the woods.”
“Cheyenne Clifton,” Harlow said. “She’s a beautiful woman, but beautiful women are a dime a dozen.”
He leaned back in his chair, quietly contemplating Harlow. “I have to admit I was surprised to learn you two were close friends.”
Chapter 2
Harlow stared at Steven. “Who told you Cheyenne Clifton and I were friends?”
“Robert.” A slow smile spread across the director’s face. “Judging by your reaction, it isn’t true. I figured as much.”
“I hardly know her. She has a reputation around the island for being…difficult.”
“I like to think I’m a good judge of character. She seems a little high maintenance based on a few of her comments during our brief introduction, while your ex was pitching her potential.”
“Like I said, I don’t know her well, but snooty, arrogant, snobby are all words that have been tossed around.” Harlow shifted. “I am curious.”
“I know what you’re going to say. Do I think she has what it takes?”
She nodded.
“Maybe. We didn’t chat long enough for me to form a final opinion.” Steven tipped his hand back and forth. “She has a little sparkle. Does she have Harlow Wynn’s sparkle? Not a chance, although I glimpsed a glimmer of Hollywood grit and determination. I could envision her clawing her way to the top.”
“Robert knows how to pick them.”
“He knocked it out of the park with you.” Steven reached into his desk drawer, removed a clipped set of papers and slid them toward her. “Do you mind doing a quick reading for me? I want to get a feel for your character.”
“I would love to.” Harlow sprang to her feet, grabbed the papers and instantly immersed herself in her role, becoming her character and forgetting all about Robert.
She became so engrossed that the scene ended almost as quickly as it began.
Steven rose to his feet and clapped loudly. “Bravo. You nailed it. This role was made for you.”
“Thanks.” Harlow’s eyes shone brightly. “I can’t wait to start filming. I’ve been rehearsing and memorizing my lines every day.”
