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Let’s be serious. The Secret Circle would be a filler summer movie that people would see as mindless entertainment. Star Academy was targeted to young males, like me. Who knew what The Royal Palm would be? But James frickin’ Bond? That was a franchise big-studio blockbuster. They didn’t just give away roles in movies like that. Even the supporting cast were seasoned veterans and icons of the industry. No joke; this really could make me an action star.

“This calls for a toast,” I finally said.

“Yes, yes, it does,” Saul said.

“What does?” Caryn asked.

“I got the son of James Bond role,” I said and then did a bad British accent. “Bond, David Bond.”

“I hope they have a dialogue coach for you,” Halle teased.

Brook got to witness firsthand how forward LA women can be. If she hadn’t been on my arm, I might have snuck off for a little fun. When the main after-party was done, we got word that the after-after-party was in the Presidential Suite where Jessup was staying, so we headed there.

The rest of the cast was already there, including Craig, so I walked over to talk to him.

“You mad at me?” I asked.

His neutral expression turned serious, and he let out a deep breath.

“No. None of it was your fault.”

“I wanted you to join Bree and me for the interviews,” I said.

“Kent told me that. I guess I thought of myself as the big dog, and you as some up-and-coming pup. Kent also reminded me that you got me laid,” he said and chuckled.

“Yes, I did.”

“You also told everyone that I’m cheap as heck,” he reminded me.

“If you hadn’t been in New York, you could have defended yourself.”

We were silent for a moment.

“We good?” I asked.

“Yes, we’re good,” Craig said and then got an evil grin. “I will get even Saturday.”

“You forget, I know where you live,” I teased him.

I wasn’t too worried about what they would do on Weekend Live. I left and found Halle and Brook.

“David, we’re going to take off,” Halle said.

“Yeah, I have an early flight, and Halle has to work,” Brook said.

So much for my plans for getting laid. Brook came and kissed me.

“Thank you for inviting me. I’ll always remember this night,” she said, then whispered in my ear. “Come home and get to know me better.”

“I will. I wanted to share this with you. You’re a special girl, Brook Davis.”

The crowd cleared out, and I found myself alone with Bree, Jessup, and Janice Utley, the producer. Jessup brought me a scotch.

“Here, you deserve this,” he said.

I sipped it, and it was good.

“You both did well this week on your press tour. The studio thinks the movie will do well,” Janice said.

“How much are they shooting for this weekend?” I asked.

“If they hit fifty million, they’ll be delighted,” Jessup said.

“I received some good news tonight,” I said. “I made the cut for the new Star Wars movie, and word is I got the James Bond role.”

Bree got a big smile on her face, and Jessup and Janice gave each other meaningful looks.

“You should have gotten a martini,” Bree said.

“Who told you?” Janice asked.

“Saul gave me the news after the premiere.”

I’d planted the seed. From talking to Saul, I’d learned casting was like women: if they saw a guy other women wanted, they would want him too. In this case, it was Janice and Jessup wanting me in the next two Star Academy movies. If Star Wars and James Bond wanted me, Star Academy would pay more to have me. Bree knew that and envisioned her own paycheck expanding.

I finished my scotch and thanked everyone. I still wasn’t out of the woods yet. Star Academy had to actually sell tickets. No one would want me if it turned into a financial dog.

◊◊◊

Chapter 30 – It’s All Fun and Games Until … Friday January 8

I met Caryn in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. For me, it was back to work on my movie. I did have one last interview to do on Barry Boudreau Live, but Elizabeth and Bree would join Lori in my place. Jessup had put his foot down because I only had another full week in LA.

Caryn received a text while we were finishing up that told her Fritz would be out front in twenty minutes. I’d brought my bags down and left them with the concierge. Caryn still had to pack, so she left me to finish eating.

“Mind if I join you?” Janice Utley asked.

“Have a seat,” I said, standing up to pull out a chair for her.

The waiter brought her coffee and water, and she ordered.

“I talked to the studio this morning. They’d like to get you under contract, and asked if you’d be willing to talk to them this weekend,” Janice said.

“Have them talk to Saul. He handles all that for me,” I said.