Read Online Under the Lights by Dahlia Adler - Free Book Online

whole lot harder for you to screw this up. I think it’s what you need to ease you back in.”
    She’s right, on all counts. “Fine. Set it up,” I say, tossing my own cup in the trash. “And don’t let Holly give you shit.”

    â€œSo we’ll see you back here Monday morning for a table-read with a draft of a new script.” Mickey Davis doesn’t stand up at the end of our meeting, but it’s hard to blame him since he’s got a pooch so big it must be tough to carry around. Instead, he sticks out his fleshy hand, and I shake it as I get up. Liam had warned me Davis wasn’t too thrilled he’d landed the Lassiter role, but he seems A-OK now. The Josh Chester Charm strikes again.
    â€œSounds great. Looking forward to it.” I slip on sunglasses and let his assistant lead me outside, checking my phone to see if Ronen’s left me a text about where he’s at. Instead, I’ve got one from Holly.
    Told your driver I’d be getting you instead. I’m in the lot.
    I spot her almost immediately when I step outside by the way her unnaturally black hair gleams in the sun. She’s standing up against the car, typing like crazy on her phone, but she looks up when I get close enough to block her sunlight.
    â€œHey,” she says, slipping the phone into her purse. “How’d it go?”
    â€œGreat. We’re gonna try it out. He’s having writers come up with spec scripts to see about fitting me in as a love interest for Bailey while she and Tristan are on breakup number four thousand.”
    Holly eyes me blankly.
    â€œTristan is Liam’s part on the show. Bailey is Vanessa Park’s. Christ, have you not even watched it?”
    â€œI don’t watch TV.” She turns back to the phone, starts typing again.
    â€œBecause it’s a lesser form of entertainment?”
    â€œBecause I’m busy.” She reaches for the driver’s-side door handle. “Rob bumped up your interview to five minutes ago, so we gotta—”
    â€œChester! Hey! Is this your new girlfriend?”
    â€œHey! Girlfriend! What’s your name?”
    I hadn’t spotted them before, but suddenly, paparazzi come rushing over, and I realize there are some random pedestrians taking pictures of me, too. I instantly put on a smile and wave for the cameras, blowing kisses at an old woman and the aide with her who’s eye-fucking me. Then I feel claws on my arm and turn to see Holly’s face has gone completely white.
    â€œWhat the hell?” she whispers fiercely. “We gotta go. Get in the car.”
    â€œChill out.” I unclasp her sharp nails from my arm and take the autograph book a little girl’s holding out to me, eyeing Holly as I sign my name. “This is part of the job. They’re fans. Just smile and wave.”
    â€œBut…” Christ, she looks so freaked out. For all her trying to be cool and professional, this is clearly an area of the business she hasn’t encountered before. Guess that’s what happens when your biggest client is, well, me.
    I throw my arm around Holly’s shoulders and smile for the cameras and reporters. “Please, I think you all know better than to think I’ve settled down,” I announce. “This lovely creature is my agent, Holly Bremen. Remember that name, because you’re gonna be seeing it all over
Variety
in the next few years.”
    And remember mine, too
, I think as the flashbulbs continue to go off.
Because if you don’t, I am fucked.

Chapter Six
Vanessa
    I really wish Zander were a better kisser. I mean, he’s fine, but we’ve been making out in my trailer for like twenty minutes, and my mind keeps wandering—to what I should wear to the premiere of Casey Rinaldo’s movie this weekend, to what color I should get on my nails tomorrow, to—
    â€œHey, K-drama, where the hell are you?”
    To why the most obnoxious guy