“Yeah, trying to look at the positive.”
Mona squeezed her arm. “How long have you been sitting on this?”
“A couple days. Didn’t want it out there until after I was one hundred percent done with Russell.” It would be one more thing Russell tried to make a claim on. The divorce could have been final six months before if he had just agreed to be done. But no, he got greedy.
“Good plan. How is the shady motherfucker doing without your money?”
“Don’t know, don’t care. I wasted too much time, so I’m moving on. Simple as that.”
“I think you should do it,” Mona squealed.
“Sell the rights?”
“Hell yes, Leona.”
Leona slid her laptop into the bag and met her gaze. “Tell me why. Give me a compelling reason, one that counters the fact I have to give up control of my world, at least on the big screen, because they’re talking movie franchise for the series.”
“Holy shit, that’s amazing!” Mona bounced in the seat. “Let’s go out. You need to celebrate. On to bigger and better things.”
A smile stretched across her lips. “Where are we going?”
Mona’s brow quirked. “How about that fondue place you love so much?”
“If we can get a table. While I call, why don’t you come up with a good reason to sell the rights?”
“I have a hundred reasons. Maybe more.”
Leona found the restaurant’s number and called. They were set up with a table in thirty minutes, which must have been a miracle.
She fired up the car and started that direction.
Mona spoke up, “First, more readers. And there are few ways that will happen. People will want to read it before the movie comes out. There will be others who will hear about the book from the fans freaking out over the fact there is a movie being made, then the people who want to read it to see how much better than the movie it is. You’re going to have huge sales from this.”
“What if the studio gets it all wrong?” That was her biggest concern. Still, she was leaning toward selling the rights.
Mona shook her head with a grin. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll gain more readers. And you’ll get to go to the premiere.”
“There’s no guarantee of that.”
“I bet you will.” Mona tapped her chin. “I wonder who they’ll cast.”
A nervous laugh bubbled up. “Don’t even want to think about that. I can’t see anyone in the roles.”
“Come on, think about it for a few minutes. I bet you can come up with someone.”
Another scary factor. What if they cast all the wrong people? “Don’t want to. Not like I’ll get a say. Do you really think this is a good idea?”
Mona nodded enthusiastically. “Of course I do. Come on, live a little. And think about how stupid it’s going to make Russell feel when he realizes your books are popular enough to be made into movies.”
“Maybe you’re right. I’ll call my agent in the morning. Today, we’re celebrating with good food and wine.”
“Now there’s the spirit.”
Chapter 3
A week later, Luke stopped by the studio offices to get the itinerary for the next film and to talk to the producer, Mathew Rodgers. He could have picked up the phone to call, or waited for the shooting schedule to be emailed, but he was restless and wanted to get out.
After talking to Mathew for a few minutes, he stepped into the hall and saw a gorgeous sight. Long, shapely legs, a fitted business suit. Glossy brunet hair tied into a braided bun on top of her head. He got lost in those deep brown eyes that narrowed as she focused straight ahead.
She was agitated, distracted by something, and he needed to know why.
He turned to follow and walked right into the door as it opened.
Mathew grinned. “Distracted?”
“That’s Leona Shay, isn’t she?” Luke asked.
He looked down the hall. “She is, indeed. She finally sold the rights to Midnight Daughter: Legacy.”
“Love that series. I’d love to play Blake.” The leading male role. Not that he looked anything like the character, but there were ways around that.
“They need to write the script, but I’ll put the word out there.”
Luke grinned. “Thanks. She in town long?”
“Don’t know. Why?”
Leona didn’t pause as she stepped outside.
His hope deflated. “I’m a fan. Her stories suck me in.”
“Which is why we want to make this movie,” answered Mathew.
“Hey, I got to go. Thanks for the information.” He held up the envelope with the schedule, and hurried to catch Leona, but she ducked into the passenger seat of a car.
Leaning against the wall, he watched as Leona pulled away.
“Damn,” he muttered before pushing off to walk to his car.
In his Prius, he dialed Ryan.
After a couple rings, Ryan’s voice came over the speakers. “Hey, you busy tonight?”
“Nope. Looking for something to do,” Luke answered.
“Good, come out to Da Vogue. Manny needs some cheering up. Tara keeps turning him down. I say we find him someone else to take home.”
“Why does he want her so damned bad?” Luke asked.
Ryan groaned. “Because he can’t have her. Every time she says no, he tries harder.”
“Right. Maybe we can talk some sense into him.”
“See you tonight. Eight?”
“I’ll be there.” Luke ended the call.
The rest of his day had filled up. He’d go to the gym, head home for a shower, then spend the evening hanging out with Ryan. And maybe he’d find a woman different than every other one he encountered in the last five years.
* * * *
The last place Leona Shay wanted to be was at a fancy nightclub after a long day of negotiations with the studio and her lawyer. Selling movie rights was a headache she wished she had never considered.
She would have rather been in her sweats and tank top at the computer writing, with a shot glass and a bottle of Herradura beside her.
Only her nearest and dearest friend had convinced her to get dressed up and come out for a few drinks. She never mentioned she was dragging her to the hottest club in LA.
A seedy, hole-in-the-wall bar would have been better.
They were standing in line ten minutes before the bouncer called her by name, waving her over.
She looked around, confused. No one else acknowledged the name.
Mona shoved her toward the front of the line. “Don’t argue. Roll with it.”
Leona shot a deadly glare at her BFF of the last twenty-five years. Yes, since they were ten years old, the first day of fifth grade, where Mona introduced herself and started talking books.
“You’ll have a blast,” Mona sing-songed, dragging her to the front of the line. “This is Leona Shay.”
“You’re with her?” he asked Mona, eyeing the deep cleavage of her dress. He was big, powerful, probably spent hours in the gym. His eyes were bright blue and locked on his goal. Very attractive and totally Mona’s type.
Mona’s smile turned seductive. “Best friend, and the only reason she came out.”
One brow arched as he looked from one to the other. “You two that way?”
Leona shook her head. “No, so if you want to take her home, be my guest.” Maybe she could slip away and go home early.
The bouncer took another look at Mona and grinned. “If you don’t find yourself leaving early, I’ll be happy to keep you up all night.”
Mona slipped him a card with a smile. “I’ll be around.”
“You’re invited to the VIP lounge, Leona, with your guest.”
“By who?” Leona demanded, wondering what the hell Mona had dragged her into.
His eyes sparkled with the secret. “It’s a surprise.”
Leona opened her mouth to say something, but Mona elbowed her in the ribs and grinned. “We won’t keep him waitin
g.” She dragged Leona into the club.
Slipping from Mona’s grasp, she headed for the bar. Her friend was right about one thing. Leona needed a drink, or fifteen, after the day she had. The legal jargon went over her head, but she trusted her lawyer knew what he was talking about and went with it.
Climbing onto a stool, Leona caught the bartender’s attention.
He sidled up with a cocky smile. “What are you having?”
“Have Herradura Silver?”
One side of his mouth tipped up. “You got it.”
“Make it a double.” Maybe a triple. A quad? Man, the bottle sounds good right now.
“We have invites to the VIP lounge,” Mona insisted.
Leona let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, probably some actor or actress who wants a part. As if I get any say in who they cast in the movie. I’m beginning to wonder why I signed over the rights in the first place.”
“The movie will be great,” Mona insisted. Of course, she only saw the plus side. Big money for selling the movie rights to the book, with the option for the series. Loads more readers. She wasn’t considering that far more people would pick it apart.
“They’re going to fuck it all up. I just know it. And then I’ll have to sit through the damned thing and wonder where the hell my book went.” She only half believed that. But the loudest fear in her head was that she’d walk in to watch a movie based on her creation and finding something so vastly different it couldn’t even be called hers.
“You haven’t even seen the script. How can you be sure they’ll fuck it up?” Mona demanded.
Leona groaned as the bartender slid the drink her way. She slammed it down. “More, please.”
“You got it.” He filled another glass after taking away the first.
“Well?” Mona prompted.
“This was all a bad idea,” Leona muttered.
“It’s a great idea. Make Russell feel stupid for not supporting you all along.”
“Oh, fuck him. We’re divorced, and I don’t want to think about him.”
“Then cheer up. And head to the VIP.”
Shaking her head, Leona sighed. “I’m not going up there. I’m going to sit out here with all the beautiful normal people and drink until I can’t see straight, then get a Lyft ride back to the hotel because you have plans.” Leona managed a saucy smile and tossed back another round of Herradura. “Want a drink? By the way, this is the first thing you got right all night.”
Mona sighed. “Why don’t you want to go to the VIP?”
“I didn’t want to come out,” Leona muttered.
“Yeah, you wanted to go hide in the hotel and write. I know. But you’re here, and without Russell. It’s time to live.”
“I am living, but being in a club isn’t my idea of fun.”
“No, but you should find some hot man to rock your world.”
Leona held up her hands and shook her head. “I’m not interested in finding a one-night stand.”
“Just for one night, Leona,” Mona insisted.
“You’re impossible.”
A gorgeous man walked their way, staring at Mona, of course.
“Go ahead,” Leona offered. She wouldn’t ditch her yet. But she needed a few minutes without dealing with her so she could relax. Or attempt to.
Mr. Gorgeous smiled. “A dance?”
“Of course.” Mona shot Leona a smile and headed to the dance floor. Hopefully that would be the last she heard about the VIP section.
* * * *
Luke walked up to Roach, a friend from his hometown. He nearly stopped in his tracks on his way to the front when he saw Leona Shay.
Curiosity generally got the better of Luke. An actress, and a good friend of his, had told him about this great spy series. He’d always been a reader, and picked up Midnight Daughter: Legacy. It didn’t take long before he read the following three, followed by the rest of her other books, and there were a lot of them. He was hooked.
And seeing her at the studio earlier prompted him to do some research.
Recently divorced from her high school sweetheart. And as much as she attempted to stay out of the media, she landed in a few smaller newspapers.
Russell Manor tried to claim Leona had been unfaithful. She hadn’t been. However, her lawyers proved he was the cheater, and she didn’t owe him a cent.
Luke pulled his phone out and brought up a picture he downloaded to make sure it really was her if he saw her again.
Showing Roach the screen, he tipped his head back. “After I’m inside, can you send Leona Shay in with her friend? Tell her someone is waiting for her in the VIP.”
“Who is she?”
“Someone I want to get to know.”
Nodding, he let Luke pass.
He made his way to the VIP section where another bouncer let him in.
Will slapped him on the back. “Good to see you. Ryan and Manny are already at your table.”
Luke stopped at the table, waved, and turned to lean against the rail, watching for Leona to make her way to the VIP section.
Leona surprised him. She didn’t bother coming back. No, she beelined to the bar while having a heated conversation with her friend. Within moments she was drinking shots while the friend went to the dance floor with another man.
Interesting. And her choice to ignore the VIP invite only intrigued him more.
She pushed her fingers through her dark, wavy hair. Man, he wanted to sink his hands in all that silkiness.
“Want a drink?” Manny asked.
“Not yet,” Luke answered.
“What has you distracted?”
A smile spread on Luke’s lips. “An intriguing woman. Not the usual type I find here.” She was beautiful, clearly took care of herself, but didn’t have that plastic look so many of the women in the club had.
Manny chuckled. “Plenty of women in LA are intriguing. And you usually take them home.” His expression soured. “Why don’t I have a chance with Tara?”
“Because you aren’t in the spotlight,” Luke muttered.
“I just need a real chance with her.”
Reaching over, he patted Manny on the back. “Good luck with her.” The woman currently had a one-track mind for Luke, and he needed to derail that train. Maybe Manny could help.
A man took the seat next to Leona. He leaned in and said something to her.
She gave him an arched brow and shook her head.
The man frowned as he left the counter.
Time to make a move. If she wasn’t coming to him, he’d go to her. Luke wanted to get inside her head, figure her out. All he knew was that she wasn’t like every other woman he encountered.
Even if it didn’t go anywhere, he had to know. He was too curious not to.
“Who is she?” Manny asked.
“I’ll let you know later.” He clapped Manny on the back and slipped past the VIP section, into the main part of the club. The seat next to Leona was still empty, so he took it before someone else could.
Chapter 4
Time seemed to crawl for Leona. Only two songs had played, so she hadn’t been sitting there ten minutes.
However, until she saw Mona again, she wouldn’t take off. After her second double, she stared at the tequila in her cup and let her mind wander to her newest project.
Another man sat beside her, but she didn’t bother looking over. Nope, it was too soon after the divorce was final to bother with all that. And she was still rolling around the fact her book would be a movie.
“I love Midnight Daughter: Origin.”
Leona attempted to ignore the comment. Sure, that was her favorite book she’d written, but she wasn’t expecting to be recognized. Let alone by a man to claiming that as his favorite considering the leading lady saves herself and stops a war from breaking out.
When she didn’t respond, he continued, “Carissa is a strong individual who doesn’t take bullshit, but loves fiercely.”
Her brow cocked as she turned to meet the mos
t penetrating deep dark eyes she’d ever seen. Her breath caught in her throat when she recognized the gorgeous actor beside her.
Oh shit, she’d been drooling over him since the last time she went to the movies with Mona. And he was even more breathtaking up close and personal.
Also, young. Twenty-four years old, eleven years younger. And he looked at her like he wanted to devour her.
Managing not to squirm in her seat, she swallowed her sudden nerves and smiled. “Thank you, though you’re not my typical reader.”
He held out his hand. “I’m Luke Chance.”
Accepting his offer, she was surprised by smooth skin interrupted by a few calluses. A shiver worked through her. “I recognize you, and you seem to know who I am.” A surprise. Unless he was going for a role in Midnight Daughter.
Her heart sank.
But then, she realized, if anyone knew how the industry worked, he would. She didn’t have a say in who they chose.
Light danced through his eyes as he wet his bottom lip. “Leona Shay. My favorite author. Your books suck me in and keep me turning pages late into the night.”
A laugh bubbled up. “Really?”
His eyes traveled down her body and lingered on her breasts. “You do.”
A shot of lust rolled through her and she shoved it back down. There was no way in hell he wanted her. She was eleven years older and felt a little skeevy over the fact she could totally see herself wrapped around him. Maybe if her niece hadn’t watched that show he was in when he was just thirteen, it wouldn’t weird her out.
“Thanks.” She turned back to the bar and gulped down the tequila. She had a feeling she would regret the decision later, like in the morning. “I take it you’re going for a role in the movie? Man, that’s acting fast. I signed the deal this afternoon.”
“Not yet. They need to write the script first. But I’d love to play Blake. He’s an amazing character.”
She held back the laugh that wanted out. They couldn’t be much more different. Blake was broader, blond, and blue-eyed. Luke Chance had curly black hair, the deepest, darkest eyes she’d seen and was leaner, though still well defined if he was always in as good of shape as he’d been for the last movie she watched him in. “Sorry, you’re not what I see in the role.” She met his gaze. “Not that I have a say. But you’re nothing like what I see.”
The Callback Page 2