Limelight (Hollywood Stardust)

by Kim Carmichael

  “Ivy, what happened to getting Ryder Scott or Erin Holland from Hollywood Stardust?” Shaking his head, Craig approached. “It’s a little hard to do a story on the twentieth anniversary of the movie without one of the stars. You told me everything was set.”

  With facts, rather than stature on her side, Ivy stood up straighter and lifted her chin. “Logan Alexander was as much a star in the movie as the other two of them, well three.”

  “Last week, rather than getting that little boy in the hot dog commercial with the catchy line, you brought me the dog.” Julia stared her down. “How can I interview a dog?”

  “The trainer was there. Some say dogs have the mentality of a two-year-old, and it did tricks.” No one ever saw the potential. If she could talk as eloquently in front of the camera as behind, she would be the reporter. Actually, she would have been an actress and the interviewee. Even the camera on her phone terrified her, not a flattering trait coming from a family of actors. “A few fetches and atta boys would have been perfect for your report.”

  “I am not doing this interview.” The click of Julia’s heels on the wood floor of the conference room grew louder as she approached. “What? Are you scared to face me?”

  Though she tried not to look directly at her, Ivy gave in, swallowing back any mention of the tiny mascara smear above her left eye. Julia should meet Mr. Alexander with such an imperfection. “The agent promised me Ryder or Erin. Only, two hours ago, he called to say Logan would be here instead.”

  “He was one of the major stars.” Craig wiped his brow.

  “Stop defending your personal pet.” Julia turned her back to him.

  Ivy held out the note cards she made for the wicked reporter. “Logan Alexander is an excellent person to interview. The villain is always the most interesting. Even after all the scandals, Hollywood Stardust is one of the most beloved teen movies ever made, and changed the genre forever.”

  “I don’t need your details. Did you spend your life studying this movie?” Julia grabbed the cards out of her hand and tossed them to the floor. “He was arrested and personally responsible for getting the sequel canceled. He is as bad in real life as he was in the movie.”

  “Don’t forget that I ran off innocent Drew Fulton and no one has ever heard from him again.”

  At the unexpected male voice, Ivy turned. Her breath caught as her ultimate teen fantasy stood before her.

  The heat in the room intensified, but she froze. Mr. Logan Alexander leaned in the doorway—more like filled up the doorway. He lifted a cigarette, twirled it between his fingers, and placed it in his mouth.

  Unlike someone who lived the hard-knock life of a disgraced actor, time had kissed him, leaving him looking much like his teen dream self, only a little more rugged. While his other two male costars from the movie possessed more of the good and wholesome image, Logan Alexander personified the conniving character. He was the one who lured people with looks that could only be described as remarkable.

  As if this whole thing were nothing but a bother, he pushed away from doorjamb and entered the room, glanced at Julia, turned his back to Craig, and faced Ivy. “So, you think the villain is the most interesting?” The cigarette bounced between his lips.

  Interesting? Interesting as in the way he pulled his dark blond hair into a ponytail that hit the nape of his neck leaving one long strand to hang down the side of his face? Maybe interesting in the way his light blue eyes seemed almost translucent, half-closed, and definitely naughty? Of course, also interesting in how the slight bit of stubble highlighted the angles of his face, and the way he managed to keep his cigarette balanced. Then the answer was yes, he, or the villain, was the most interesting.

  “The villain always needs to go under the most transformation.” She managed to squeak out the words and pointed to his cigarette, unsure if she needed to tell him about the no smoking rule. Did fantasies follow rules?

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to light it.” His gaze scanned down to her shoes and back up to her face.

  Interesting. She licked her lips. The man was more glorious in person than on the silver screen.

  “What if the villain hasn’t undergone a transformation?” Julia tapped her foot.

  Ivy ground her teeth together. If anyone needed to change, it was Julia.

  “I suppose I’ll get more hard-hitting questions than asking a dog trainer if Rover, the hot dog hunter, is potty trained. You sure know how to dig deep.” Though he answered Julia, he continued to look at Ivy. “I liked the dog, a much better choice than the obnoxious little boy.”

  Transfixed, she continued to stare at him.

  “Just because the villain can change, doesn’t mean they will.” Julia moved over as if trying to get his attention.

  He exhaled, but the cigarette stayed in place. “How can I do an interview with you when I know you are team Ryder all the way?”

  “Hollywood Stardust was the typical love triangle.” Julia raised her chin. “Today’s teen movies are better developed than movies decades ago.”

  “Oh, that reference to my age really does pain me.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “Tell me, did the villains of your era wear pompadours and leather jackets, or perhaps suits of armor?”

  In an effort to stifle a laugh, Ivy bit the side of her mouth. There was something to be said for the villain getting their comeuppance, and she didn’t mean Mr. Alexander.

  Julia narrowed her eyes and spun toward Craig. “I am not playing her game of bait and switch. If Miss Details loves villains so much, Miss Details can do the interview. Call me when you get a real star.” She stormed out.

  “Well, that is one thing your runaway hostess and I agree on.” Mr. Alexander’s smile revealed a perfect set of Hollywood teeth.

  “What would that be?” Craig wiped his brow.

  “Miss Details should do the interview.” In a swoon-worthy move, Mr. Alexander bowed to her.

  The spotlight shined down on her and the same stage fright she battled every second of her life took a strong hold over her body, made worse by being presented with her teen idol in the flesh. “Craig.” How she managed to utter even one word was beyond her, but she took it as a good sign.

  “Oh, no. No, that won’t do at all.” Craig shook his head. The first and only time she was on camera at Chargge.com, she ended up running off set and throwing up in a trash can. “I am sure Julia will be right back.”

  “Don’t bring her back on my account. I’m Team Details all the way.” Logan raised his fist as if he were about to begin cheering and, with a wink, lifted his chin in her direction. “She is clearly an expert on the movie and knows story structure.”

  His gesture, though probably insignificant to him, served to ignite her courage as well as her body. She chose to ignore them both. All she needed was to throw up on one of the Hollywood Stardust stars.

  Craig cupped his hand over his mouth. “She is an expert on every movie.”

  Yes, fine, but she was mostly an expert on Hollywood Stardust. She remained silent.

  “I refuse to be interviewed by anyone who is not an expert in cinema.” Mr. Alexander picked up one of her note cards, gave it a quick scan, and sauntered over to her. Yes, it was a total saunter. His walk may have also included a bit of a swagger as well. “Miss Details is the only one for me. It seems she has found something to talk about other than drugs, Drew, and sequels, since I won’t answer those questions anyway.”

  She fought the need to hug her prepubescent crush, bury her face in his chest, and breathe in what could only be the smell of cologne and cookies. Later, they could go back to her apartment, and she would confess she used to write his name in her notebook and practice kissing him on the back of her hand. In her dreams, she could interview him and then they’d conquer the world together. In reality, she knew he was only playing a role and she would never be able to utter a sentence. Dumb reality.

  “Either she interviews me or you can call the company that owns not only Hollywood
Stardust, but your website as well, and tell them the video blog they expect to make waves won’t air today. I’ll be in the lounge not lighting my cigarette.” He handed her the card and walked out the door.

  She leaned forward, bracing herself on her knees. “Oh God, I want to do this.”

  Her boss paced across the floor. “You would be the perfect person if you could just learn to calm down. It’s what we hired you for.”

  Though Craig never admitted it, she was the bane of his existence. He hired her as a favor to her father, and they gave her the job as a reporter. Technically, her current job as fact-checker and scheduler didn’t even exist. The reporters were supposed to do their own research, but Julia sort of snatched her up as a personal assistant. Both her parents who possessed multiple acting awards between them, looked at her with wide eyes and pity every time they discussed her career. Even they weren’t good enough actors to hide their disappointment.

  She crumpled the note card in her fist and straightened up. “I’ll do it. I will interview Logan Alexander.” Part of her expected a spotlight to shine down on her signifying her strength of conviction. The other part was thrilled she didn’t live in a world where spotlights randomly illuminated at key life-changing moments. She would end up living in the bathroom with the lights off, shaking.

  Craig shook his head. His skin had turned the most unusual shade of red.

  “This is the movie of a generation, the one that spoke to that specific time. The story should be told by someone who truly loves everything it represents.” For once, she needed to be her own spotlight. “This is the movie that pushed the boundaries, didn’t rely on the happily ever after, asked the questions.” Maybe the movie that meant the world to her could also cure her.

  “We need this story, Ivy.” He crossed his arms. “Seriously, we need the story. Other sites are competing with us. We need something to go viral. The advertising dollars are not coming in as they should, and you know what that means.”

  Yes, it meant cuts, starting with the person who technically didn’t have a title. She might as well go big or go home, literally.

  “Do the interview, but make sure you ask about Drew Fulton and the arrest and the sequel.”

  “He said he wouldn’t answer those questions.” The swirl of anxiety circled around her stomach.

  “Ivy.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “You can do this. You were made for this. Go to wardrobe, ask them for something more contemporary and fashionable, and ask the questions. We need you.”

  For once she wouldn’t disappoint. She stopped herself from saluting and gave him a strong nod. “I got this.” As she walked out, she made a mental note to have a trash can put near the set.

  Hollywood Stardust Supporting Roles – Giselle & Wilson –

  Available now from Amazon

  Some girls only want to have fun.

  Giselle Abromowitz lives her life with two simple rules. 1. Have fun. 2. Defer to rule number one. She does what she wants when she wants, and when things get too complicated she moves on to happier, more casual pastures.

  As the older brother to Hollywood star, Logan Alexander, Wilson Alexander has played the role of pacifier, parent and protector. With the opening of his club it is his time to step in to the spotlight and make his own life.

  When Giselle stumbles into Wilson’s regimented life and takes over, Wilson knows he found the missing piece of his life, now he only needs to convince his lady love that fun and love can coexist.

  An Excerpt

  “What are you doing here?” Ivy Vermont pressed her back to the building and put her hand over her eyes.

  Giselle Abromowitz wrinkled her nose. Apparently, her best friend needed a recap of their last several hours, even though they’d been together the entire day. “We’re stalking Logan Alexander, the actor you’ve loved since you were twelve and the guy you’re supposed to be working with, but ditched you. Now we’re standing outside his brother’s bar.” She shielded her eyes as she looked up at the sign. “It’s not open though, and I could use a drink.”

  Ivy groaned. “I meant what are you doing here with me stalking actors when you are supposed to be at work?”

  Rather than answer, Giselle tiptoed over to one of the windows and attempted to peer inside.

  “Giselle. What happened to your job?” Ivy joined her and stood on her tiptoes to look in the blackened windows. “This was supposed to be the one.”

  With Ivy in her full quirky vintage business regalia, Giselle resisted the urge to lift her fun sized friend. “I don’t think I want to be an assistant.”

  “You said you wanted to work in an office.” Ivy pressed her forehead to the glass.

  “It has too much paper, my hands got dry from touching all of it, and I got a paper cut.” She held out her hands and studied them and swore she still saw the faint remnant of the cut. “Look.”

  “Offices have paper.” Ivy shook her head.

  “Not if they’re green.” One day she would best her best friend in the battle of wits.

  Ivy huffed.

  “Why don’t we take care of your job and stop worrying about mine.” Giselle stomped over to the front door and knocked.

  Ivy rushed over and grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting you in the door, that’s the job I’m best at.” Ever since her best friend took on the assignment of reporting on the anniversary of her favorite movie, Hollywood Stardust, she had been unlivable. Once Ivy’s crush, Logan Alexander entered the picture and became her co-reporter, she went from unlivable to not fun. Now it had to be fixed. Giselle struck a pose, boobs out, butt popped, hand on hip and waited. The pose hadn’t failed her yet.

  Finally, the door opened. At the sight of the man, hot man, really hot man, before her, Giselle added at little lip pout to her guy wrangling stance.

  In less than an instant, a smile took over the man’s face. “Please tell me you’re the delivery I’m waiting for.”

  She stepped forward and leaned on the doorjamb. “I’m the delivery you’re waiting for.”

  The man raised his eyebrows, making his already friendly and fluid features even more likable. He reminded her of the guy in a movie who stood in the background, but every time the camera panned over to him one kept thinking how cute he was, how his blue eyes would steal the show and his smile could make the lead in the movie do almost anything.

  “So you’re the person delivering the glass washer and hooking it up to the existing plumbing?” He tilted his head.

  “Do I not look like a plumber?” She turned back to Ivy and nodded, she had this guy, but good.

  Ivy put her hand over her eyes.

  “Well, considering the person on the way is named Harvey, and last time I saw him he was about quadruple your size and with a lot less hair, I’m going to go with no.” As if waiting for her to confess her deception, he crossed his arms.

  “All right, you caught me.” She played along and pressed her hand to her chest. “Actually, I’m here on behalf of my poor friend, Ivy. I have reason to believe one Mr. Logan Alexander may be inside, and she needs him desperately.”

  The man raised his eyebrows.

  “And by desperate, I mean her work is relying on him, although the poster she had of him on her ceiling when she was thirteen, so she could go to bed looking at him, may speak of a different kind of desperation.” Giselle thought she should lay it all on the table.

  The man glanced between the two of them. “So, you’re Ivy. I’m not surprised that you’re here.” He opened the door and stepped back.

  Ivy looked up at the man.

  “Come on, I got you in.” Giselle motioned for her best friend and trotted inside. The whole place smelled like remodeling, and she smiled at the way the interior was done up to look like a 1920s speakeasy with art deco finishes and dark booths. There was no place in Hollywood like it. “This is cool.”

  Gazing up at the man with a slight bit of hope, Ivy followed. “Is he here?”


  “I think I may be able to conjure him. Stay right here and check the place out.” He put his hand out and leaned forward. “I’m Wilson by the way, Wilson Alexander.”

  “Alexander. As in Logan Alexander.” Rather than shake his hand, Giselle hooked her arms in his.

  Ivy took his hand. “I really do need to talk to him for even a second.”

  “Well, as fun as this all is, I will retrieve my baby brother for you.” He glanced down at Giselle, took his time untangling their appendages, and with one last glance in her direction, left and disappeared behind a swinging door. “Logan!”

  “See? I told you it would all work out.” Giselle put her arm around her friend.

  “I wish I could live my life like you do.” Ivy patted her and moved away, pacing around the space.

  “What do you mean?” Giselle shrugged and took a seat on one of the bar stools. No doubt, the savvy Mr. Alexander chose these to show off a woman’s gams. She wondered if she stayed in this position if he would notice.

  “You just always go with it. You don’t have a job, no worries, you don’t know what you’re doing tomorrow, not a problem.” Ivy put her hand on her stomach. “I can’t let go like you do. What’s taking them so long?”

  “Well, you have to go with it, what other choice do we have?” She continued to assess her legs.

  Before Ivy got a chance to say something deep or meaningful, a knock at the front door interrupted them.

  They both looked at the door and then back in the direction Wilson took.

  The knock came again, but louder.

  “What should we do?” Ivy bit her lip.

  “Well, when people knock, the normal course of action is to open it.” Though she didn’t want to ruin how awesome her legs looked from the bar stool, she slid down and opened the door, only to be greeted by a huge man with not much hair holding a wrench. “Harvey! We’ve been waiting for you. Come on in.”

  The man smiled and trundled inside. “Is Wilson here?”