“What’s wrong?” Maggie asked.
Kimberly hurried to them, struggling to walk in heels over the rock-strewn beach and storm-tossed driftwood. Her eyes flitted, trying to avoid the campfire, the tumbled blankets, Quinn’s bare chest and Maggie’s shivers. Kimberly settled for looking at her feet and scowling at her ruined pumps.
Quinn frowned at Kimberly. “This had better be important or you—”
“Laine Lamonde and Dan O’Donnel have eloped.” Kimberly thrust a piece of paper in Quinn’s direction.
“Hmm,” Maggie kept to herself the thought of how odd it was that Laine seemed to like short, balding men with large stomachs, like O’Donnel and her agent.
Kimberly handed him a sheet of paper. “Derek Parker faxed me this late last night.”
“And Derek sent you to find us?” Maggie guessed, her thoughts racing, her stomach tensing with the magnitude of the news and how it would effect Quinn that Laine had married his competitor.
“Why?” Quinn was calm but Maggie had never seen him go so still. If he hadn’t been spending all this time with her, he might have…what? If Laine had married Dan, there was likely nothing they could have done even if all their attention had been devoted to signing the star. Yet, Derek Parker might not see things that way.
Kimberly handed Quinn a cell phone. “Mr. Parker wants to speak with you.”
Quinn glared at her. “I have a cell phone, and I turned it off. Do you know why?”
“Obviously you didn’t want to be bothered.” Kimberly kept her eyes downcast and Maggie felt sorry for her friend. Clearly, she’d not wanted to come here, but she couldn’t very well have ignored such a request without losing her job.
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,” Maggie told Quinn gently, wishing she could think of something to help him.
Quinn grunted and took the cell phone. He walked down the beach out of earshot to make his call, leaving Maggie and Kimberly alone. Maggie sighed. “This may be my fault.”
“That Laine married Dan O’Donnel?” Kimberly kicked off her shoes and settled onto a corner of the blanket. “Oh, yeah. That must be all your fault.”
“No. That Quinn turned off his phone.” Maggie sighed. “Quinn agreed to read your script.”
“Yeah, right.”
“This time, he meant it.”
“Oh, Maggie.” Kimberly threw her arms around her. “You shouldn’t have asked him again. Not when you’re…when you two are…”
“Together?” Maggie finished for her obviously embarrassed friend. “He wants me to cast his next movie, too.”
“That’s wonderful,” Kimberly’s voice rose with genuine enthusiasm.
Maggie wished she could share Kimberly’s excitement. She picked at the blanket, and her eyes followed Quinn down the beach. She didn’t like him taking heat for spending time with her instead of taking care of business. The man was entitled to a life, wasn’t he? However, studio people expected their employees to eat, bathe and make love with their cell phones handy. Parker wouldn’t be pleased that Quinn had deliberately put himself out of touch—especially during a crisis of this magnitude.
Maggie tried to explain her gloomy mood to Kimberly, who was not aware of the hoops the studios made Quinn jump through to secure financial support for his films. “I don’t feel good about accepting Quinn’s offer when he may have just lost major funding for his picture.”
“Why would he lose funding?” Kimberly asked.
Sometimes Maggie forgot how much Kimberly still had to learn about the business. “Because Parker intends to back whoever signs Laine. He feels her American debut will assure the film’s success. Without Laine, Quinn won’t have the money for the costumes and set that are so necessary—”
“Got it.” Kimberly stared at her, thinking hard. “Did Quinn really offer to let you cast—”
“Yes. But there might not even be a movie now.” Miserable over the sudden turn of events, Maggie’s eyes went to Quinn. He strode toward them, his legs eating up large chunks of sand with every step. He looked energized, ready to do battle and take on the world. She should have known Quinn would come up with a new plan to save the film and her hopes escalated.
“You impersonated Laine once—maybe you could play her part,” Kimberly suggested.
Maggie rolled her eyes at the sky. “Thanks, but Laine is gorgeous. And I’m not an actress—I’m a casting director.”
The wind must have carried some of their conversation to the approaching Quinn. He leaned toward Maggie and tipped up her chin, then kissed her lightly on the lips. “You’re going to do what you do best, Maggie.”
Taken aback that he’d kissed her right in front of Kimberly, Maggie was having trouble concentrating on his words. What did she do best? Surely he wasn’t referring to the marshmallows? Heat rose up her neck. “Huh?”
“You’re going to cast me a new leading lady.” Quinn’s eyes twinkled. “Someone so fantastic that Parker will need to have me sign her right away.”
“But he wants Laine,” Maggie said, her thoughts still fuzzy from lack of sleep, hours of lovemaking and Quinn’s latest kiss. Apparently he had no intention of hiding his feelings for her. She didn’t know why she’d thought he might, hadn’t actually thought about facing their friends and associates until that moment, but she was glad that Quinn had made their kiss so easy and normal and open.
Quinn’s mouth turned up in a cocky grin. “He’s no longer fixated on Laine Lamonde.”
Maggie didn’t pay too much attention to Quinn’s statement. Her mind was sifting through her memory to Quinn’s conversation with Laine. She remembered and could feel her hopes brightening. “Didn’t you tell Laine that Julia Roberts was interested in the part?”
Quinn shook his head. “That was simply a bluff to make Laine more eager to sign with us.”
“Then how did you manage to change Parker’s mind?” Maggie asked, fascinated by how vibrant Quinn could be after making love to her all night. He still looked ready to take on the world.
“Laine is relatively unknown in the U.S., but she is a European star,” Quinn continued, “and I convinced him that the current hot trend is to take an unknown and build them into a megastar.”
Maggie hoped he was right but she wasn’t sold. “I don’t know, Quinn. The reason stars are paid the big bucks is that people come to see them even if they know nothing about the film.”
Kimberly was grinning. “An unknown can create stellar publicity exactly because no one knows anything about them. Everyone would want a piece of them, their background, their past lovers. Think about when Vivian Leigh was cast in Gone With the Wind. And the American public loves rags-to-riches stories.”
“Like America’s fascination with the show American Idol?” Maggie asked, suddenly understanding the brilliance of Quinn’s concept. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade—he should be crowned the lemonade king.
“Exactly how I sold Parker on Maggie’s new sensation,” Quinn agreed.
“Maggie has a new sensation?” Kimberly’s eyes were lit with curiosity.
Maggie turned her head from Kimberly to Quinn, her pulse now leaping. “What new sensation?”
Quinn chuckled. “I have no idea, but you’ve got twenty-four hours to find her. Parker wants to see her screen test on Monday morning.”
TO MAGGIE, THE TRIP BACK to L.A. was a blur of phone calls, meetings and full-fledged panic. What had ever made her decide she could cast a movie? Especially on such short notice?
Usually major stars came attached to a project and the casting agency was responsible for finding the supporting characters, the walk-ons, etc. But she had to start from scratch. At least she’d already read the script. But the moment she returned to L.A., she had to hit the ground running.
In the middle of the storm, Quinn took charge of arranging for the offices, equipment and temporary personnel that she’d need for her casting agency within Simitar Studios. By the time they arrived at the private airport and drove straig
ht to the studio, Maggie felt numb from lack of sleep and disappointment. She’d already called the agents of her first three choices at their homes on Sunday—not making her the most popular woman in town. Two of the actresses were already tied up contractually by other projects and the third was five months pregnant and taking a two-year maternity leave.
Despite her worry, the office Quinn arranged for her took her breath away. She had two windows, a series of filing cabinets and a superfast computer system connection. Quinn had even arranged for two temps to work through the night. She now had sandwiches and coffee, a bowl of fruit, a working phone system, a private media room filled with VCR equipment to watch tapes of actresses. And he’d copied his “contact” file from his PDA right into her computer. So she also had the phone numbers, business and private, of practically everyone in Hollywood.
That Quinn could have accomplished so much by making a few phones calls shouldn’t have astounded her. She’d seen him work this kind of magic before. But never had all his efforts been on her behalf—well, not unless she counted Saturday night. But this was different. This was business. And she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and plant kisses on his cheeks to thank him.
But he’d left her to get organized for her search. And the best way to thank Quinn was to come up with someone dynamite. Kimberly flopped into a chair opposite Maggie in her new office. Her friend seemed just as stunned by the sudden change in Maggie’s responsibilities as Maggie.
“What can I do to help?” Kimberly asked as she shoved a cup of coffee in Maggie’s direction.
Maggie sipped the drink, appreciating the rich flavor. “I’ve been thinking that we need to go with someone unknown to the public.”
“We don’t have time to start canvassing every agent in town.”
Maggie appreciated the “we.” Kimberly was ready to stay here with her and work through the night to help. And she had yet to ask one question about finding Maggie and Quinn together on the beach—although, knowing Kimberly, curiosity must be eating at her. Right from their first meeting, Maggie had appreciated Kimberly’s intelligence, her wit and her loyalty. With their mutual interest in the film industry, their office acquaintance had blossomed into many nights of fun where they’d seen movies and plays and… The play. The play she and Kimberly had missed last week gave her an idea.
Maggie grinned. “Kimberly, what about Serena Kendall?”
“The UCLA actress? She would be brilliant, but she has no experience in front of the cameras. She’s a stage actress, albeit with all the right qualities.”
“So we get her a good coach.”
“Lots of actors make the transition from stage to film, but it can take years.”
“We don’t have years. In fact, we have until tomorrow morning when she’ll have to do a screen test. I wonder if she has an agent? No matter. We’ll find her one.” Maggie picked up her purse. “Come on. We’re going to UCLA.”
Kimberly followed her out the door. “I’m right behind you, but what is Quinn going to say about you hiring a complete unknown?”
“He said he trusts my judgment,” Maggie told Kimberly, yet she knew Quinn was counting on her to find an experienced actress. However, the A-list stars were unavailable and Maggie had always had a feeling about Serena. She’d seen her act twice before. Once she’d played an innocent girl and in another play she’d been bold, sassy and strong.
Finding Serena proved easy enough. The drama student was listed in the campus directory and her roommate told them they could find her waiting tables at a nearby pizzeria.
As soon as they walked in, the heavenly aroma of pizza hit them, yeasty dough and garlicky tomato sauce. But they didn’t have time to eat. Maggie spotted the waitress. “Over there.”
Without makeup, her face was stunning. Serena’s skin was clear, her nose straight, her teeth white and perfect. She walked smoothly between the tables, a pitcher of beer in one hand, a tray of iced mugs in the other.
Maggie stepped in her path and introduced herself. “Serena Kendall, I’m Maggie Miller and I’d like a moment of your time.”
Serena didn’t have a chance to respond before Kimberly plucked the pitcher of beer out of the waitress’s hands and delivered it herself. Maggie took Serena’s arm and led her to a booth. “I’ve seen you on stage and liked your work.”
Serena’s full mouth widened into a friendly grin. “Thanks.” She glanced at Kimberly, who was frowning at the impatient college boys at Serena’s table. “But I really should get back to work.”
“I’m casting a movie and I think you’d be perfect for a part.”
“Is this a porn film because—”
“You ever heard of Quinn Scott?”
“Quinn Scott?” Serena’s elegant brow lifted in either puzzlement or disbelief.
“You have heard of him?” Please, Maggie prayed, don’t let Serena be an airhead. Maggie didn’t have time to coddle the kid. She had to be a professional.
“Everyone’s heard of Quinn Scott.” Serena sucked in her breath. Then she pinched her arm. “Ow. I guess I’m not dreaming, huh?”
“Look, I’m not promising you anything, but we have to get you ready for a screen test first thing in the morning.”
“Do you have a business card?”
Obviously Serena was skeptical, and levelheaded, which would stand her in good stead in this business. Maggie silently thanked Quinn for his ability to anticipate her needs. She dug into her purse and gave out her first business card.
She pressed it into Serena’s hand. “Have you ever worked in front of a camera?”
“I did TV commercials as a kid.”
“Great.” She’d had a feeling Serena would be perfect and Maggie’s confidence rose another two notches. She fished five pages of dialogue from her purse and handed them over. “How fast can you memorize this?”
“I practically have a photographic memory.” Maggie couldn’t believe her luck. If Serena was telling the truth, she had not only brains and talent but she wouldn’t forget her lines, either. She looked at the expression on the young woman’s face. Although Serena looked less skeptical, she still seemed baffled. Maggie couldn’t exactly blame her. After all, it wasn’t every day that a casting agent walked up to a waitress and told her she had a chance to be a star. “Maggie, why all the rush?”
“Laine Lamonde was going to star in this movie, but she eloped. To secure the financing we need, we have to replace her immed—”
“Did you say star?” Serena’s lovely peach complexion turned green. And then Maggie’s perfect candidate fainted.
14
“KIMBERLY!” MAGGIE CAUGHT the fainting Serena in her arms, but the unconscious weight had her staggering. “Help.”
Within moments, Kimberly, followed by the trio of beer drinkers that she’d just served, had lowered Serena into a booth. Maggie dipped the corner of a napkin into a glass of ice water and bathed Serena’s neck.
“What happened? I swear, Maggie, every time I leave you alone you are—”
“Hush.” Maggie gazed down at Serena’s eyes, which were fluttering. “She’s about to wake up and I don’t need you scaring—”
“I’d say you already did that without my help.” Kimberly leaned into the booth and helped Maggie prop up the woozy Serena. “Show’s over, guys. But thanks for the help.”
Serena stared at Maggie. “Are you for real?”
Maggie chuckled from a combination of nerves and the realization that Quinn had made her important enough to cause a young woman to faint. Her change in status was so sudden she hadn’t taken in all the ramifications yet. However, she’d been around the movie industry long enough to know that people who had once snubbed her as a mere assistant would now try and curry her favor. No doubt other secretaries in the company would learn that Maggie and Quinn were together. They’d assume he’d promoted her because of that and look down on her for it. Success always came with a price, and if it included dealing with fainting young women, then Maggie
would learn to cope. Perhaps she should have been more subtle.
But the damage was done. Serena knew that Maggie wanted her to star in the film. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you how important the part is until after your screen test. But if you can’t hold up to the pressure, it’s best that we know now.”
Serena sipped water from the glass Kimberly held to her lips. She swallowed, then lifted her chin and squared her delicate shoulders. “I’ll be fine. I won’t let you down,” Serena glanced at the business card still clutched in her hand, “Ms. Miller.”
“Call me Maggie. I don’t want to intimidate you and have you faint on me again. Next time I might not catch you and I don’t want you reading for that part with a bloody nose or a black eye.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be brilliant—if I don’t faint.” Serena dipped her fingers in the glass and splashed drops of water over her face.
Kimberly frowned at her. “You aren’t pregnant, are you?”
Maggie should have thought of asking the girl that and held her breath as she waited for the answer.
“Not a chance.” Serena shook her head. “Men seem to prefer to admire me from afar.”
Serena explained the situation to the manager who immediately offered to work her tables for her and then wished her good luck. Then Maggie and Kimberly whisked the girl out of the pizzeria. During the car ride back to the studio, Serena read over the pages while Maggie woke up a makeup artist, a stylist, a set designer, a costume consultant, an acting coach, a cameraman and a photographer and asked them to meet back at the studio. She was determined to oversee every detail of the screen test to show off her “sensation” to the best of their ability.
“Who’s going to read opposite me?” Serena asked. “It sure would help to practice with whoever he is.”
Maggie hadn’t thought that far ahead. She’d been so busy trying to replace Laine, she hadn’t yet thought about the costar. Maggie looked at Kimberly, who shrugged.
“We’ll find someone,” Maggie told her.
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