Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Valentina flashed her a warm, genuine smile, and Tessa felt some of her trepidation melt away. While they prepared coffee for the men and Valentina made them mint tea, she returned to the topic of the awards ceremony.
“I’m quite nervous about it,” Tessa admitted. “I’ve never been to anything like that before.”
Valentina nodded. “Believe me, I totally understand where you’re coming from. When I first entered the business—and especially when I started dating Smith—I was terrified of the limelight.” She paused before adding, “It might help you to know, though, that while red-carpet events look dazzling when you see the highlights on TV, when you’re there it’s quite boring, really. Hollywood is all about illusion, but as I’m sure you’ve seen yourself, even the biggest stars are just normal people at heart.” She touched Tessa’s arm. “I’ve always thought that Arch is one of the nicest men in Hollywood. He and Smith are alike in that way.”
It was kind of Valentina to reassure her, but Tessa couldn’t quite believe that she’d be bored at the ceremony. Glitz and glamor and the constant flash of photographers’ cameras must be second nature to someone like Valentina, who’d spent most of her life working in Hollywood with her sister and now with Smith too.
Tessa put the tea and coffee on a tray, and the two women walked into the living room. Arch and Smith were doubled over with laughter. It was clear that these two went way back.
“Classic Frankie, right?” Smith was saying.
Arch was still laughing so hard he could only nod in response.
“You must miss being on set,” Smith said to Arch. He turned to Tessa. “This one’s a hard worker, you know. Never late, always ready to do another take. His energy is incredible.” Smith smiled at his friend fondly.
“You’re the same,” Arch said.
Tessa put coffee mugs in front of the two men and cream and sugar on the table. She and Valentina settled with their tea.
Arch said, “I’ve been so focused on getting my strength back that I haven’t had all that much time to think about being on set.”
“How’s the Shock Tactics script?” Smith asked.
Arch paused to think over the question. “Solid. Some nice humor, and the writing’s better than I expected. I’m looking forward to getting started.” He glanced down at his leg. “Thankfully, I’m getting stronger every day.” Then he smiled at Tessa, a smile that was a little too twinkly, if you asked her. The kind of smile that just might give their secret away. “It’s all down to Tessa. She’s a taskmaster, but in the best possible way.”
“To be perfectly honest,” Smith said, “I didn’t think you had a snowball’s chance in hell of recovering from a broken leg in time to start shooting Shock Tactics.” Then Smith smiled at Tessa. “But I hadn’t counted on you coming into Arch’s life and doing such an amazing job.”
Tessa felt herself turn pink at the compliment, but had to tell the truth. “I can’t take all the credit. As you say, Archer is a hard worker.”
“Stubborn too,” Smith said, shaking his head. “Stubborn, opinionated, and determined.” He grinned at the group. “Did I leave anything out?”
Though Tessa’s brain immediately thought, You left out how amazing he is in bed, she said, “He is one thousand percent committed to getting better.” With a grin, she added, “And also stubborn, opinionated, and determined.”
Valentina laughed. “We imagined he’d be a difficult patient. But he’s clearly in good hands. You’ve been so lucky to have found the perfect caregiver, Arch.”
He nodded. “I absolutely have.”
Then Smith said, “Did Jay send you the script for the Moonrise festival? We don’t have to say too much, but there’s a bit of cheesy banter at the beginning before we present the award.”
“Yeah, I got it. Haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, though.”
“We should rehearse,” Smith said.
Tessa could tell how important it was to both actors to do their best work, even if they were simply presenting an award.
“That’s our cue,” Valentina said to Tessa. “Want to go upstairs and check out the view with me? I love Arch’s telescope.”
Tessa nodded, happy to spend more time with such a fascinating woman.
They climbed the stairs, and Valentina said how much she loved visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. “It’s so calm and peaceful here.” She settled into the chair by the telescope. “I could watch the waves for hours.”
Tessa agreed. It was exactly why she felt so inspired to paint here. Well, that and a certain someone giving her all the feelings.
“Do you know yet what you’re wearing for Moonrise?” Valentina asked, still gazing through the window.
Tessa was glad Valentina couldn’t see her expression. “I’m not quite sure. It’s not my usual kind of night out.” Truth be told, she never did nights out, but she didn’t think Valentina was dying to know all about her ordinary life.