Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“But what if I don’t like the guy?” I ask, my body temperature rising. “What if there’s no chemistry? And this is going to be filmed, right? Who will see it?”
“It’s just a pilot. So yes, people will see it, but it won’t be on television. This is just used to test audiences on the show's viability.”
I groan, not sure what to make of this. I don’t want to pretend to fall in love with someone. I don’t know how. I’ve never been in love. And I need to look for a real job to keep me from eating dirt.
Yet I’m not getting any callbacks.
“What do you have to lose?” Sutton asks, hope thick in her tone.
“My dignity.”
“I think you lost that in the pool today.”
I groan again, making her laugh. The sound is more playful and less stressed than before. Does she really feel that confident in me being such a good fit?
“We might not even have a guy, and the whole thing might be a no-go anyway,” she says. “But if we can find a guy, will you do it? Please?”
I close my eyes, ignoring the little voice in the back of my mind that says I’m going to regret this. Instead, I follow the louder voice in my heart that says I must be there for my best friend just like she would for me.
I take a long, deep breath. “If you can’t find another woman, and you do happen to find a man, then … yeah. I’ll do it.”
“You are the best friend ever.” She squeals. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Let me make some calls, and I’ll call you back.”
“Yippee.” I try to sound excited but fall flat on my face. “I can’t wait.”
“Love the enthusiasm. Just remember that you might have just saved my career.”
“That’s me.” I swallow hard, smiling weakly. “Career saver.”
With each of Sutton’s footsteps echoing through the phone as she probably races to Jeremiah to share the news, my grip on the situation slips further away. My heart pounds wildly. My palms sweat around the wineglass that I can’t seem to set down.
I want to shout at her and tell her to slow down. The words are on the tip of my tongue. But the thought of doing that and dampening her joy has me biting back my request.
I can’t do it. I can’t take this away from her despite the irony of me being on a show about finding true love.
Breathe, Georgia. It’s only a pilot. The public won’t ever see it.
“I love you,” Sutton says. “So much.”
“You better.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
“Fantastic,” I say. “Talk to you later, then.”
“Byeeeeee.”
She yells for Jeremiah as the line disconnects. I start to shut off my screen when the text thread from earlier catches my attention.
Ripley: Check in the pool, too. She lost a few things there today.
For once, I’m too bothered with someone else to argue with him.
That’s a first.
Chapter Eight
Georgia
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
The elevator doors open, and the lobby of Canoodle Pictures comes into full view. The room is light-filled, and large potted plants dot the space. The walls are a buttery yellow, giving off happy vibes.
I vaguely wonder if this is because most guests are as nervous as I am.
“Hi,” I say to the pretty blonde at the reception desk. “I’m Georgia Hayes. I’m here to see Sutton McKenzie.”
“Yes, Georgia, hi. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Juni. Congrats on the new show, and welcome to the Canoodle family.”
I hum a little, wishing I was as chipper about this as Juni. “Thanks.”
“Head down that hallway,” she says, pointing to her right. “You’re in the conference room at the end. I’ll let everyone know you’re here.”
“Fantastic.”
If the word is edged in sarcasm, Juni doesn’t pick up on it. I’m happy for that. My anxiety surrounding this whole thing has nothing to do with her.
I make my way down the long hallway, pausing to peruse some of the many pictures hanging on the walls. Some are from awards ceremonies, others appear to be still photographs from film sets, and a few were taken in cafés and fancy offices—beautiful people in beautiful locations.
When I enter, the conference room is empty. It’s about the size of the lobby and not too ostentatious. A table runs down the center of it, and a sideboard table is tucked against one of the two walls without windows. Two extra chairs have been placed beside a projector screen.
I turn to sit when I glimpse my reflection in the glass.
My tanned skin is thankfully not orange after the self-tanning job I performed at home last night. The A-line dress I found in the back of my closet creates an hourglass look that’s a bit deceptive, but I’m not about to argue with it. It accentuates my bust and hips, and the purple fabric lifts my confidence. I brush a strand of face-framing hair out of my face before adjusting my high ponytail.