All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“I’ve been in touch with her,” I reply, still not quite believing that this is happening. “Send me the address and time on Thursday and I’ll see you then.”

“Fantastic, I can’t wait. Safe travels, doll.”

And with that, he hangs up and I can just stare at Finn. “This is happening.”

“On Thursday, apparently.” His lips twitch as he sits up and wraps his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know about this,” I reply. “Maybe it’s not a good idea. It’s not like I can’t find an acting job in New York. I don’t have to sing and dance.”

“Hey London, this is a great opportunity. You should see the way your face lights up when you talk about it. I think you should absolutely go out there and meet with the director and do your reading. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. But you need to know. If you turn this down, I think you’ll regret it. Besides, you’ve already made it clear that I can’t be your sugar daddy.”

“You’re right.” I shrug a shoulder and bury my face in his neck, holding on tight. “This is just so far outside of my comfort zone.”

“I can tell. You’re not even laughing at my joke.”

“It’s not a joke. Will you go with me?” I look up at him, and then immediately shake my head. “Never mind. That’s ridiculous, you don’t need to babysit me.”

“It’s not ridiculous,” he says. “It’s not babysitting, it’s having someone you trust with you because you’re outside of your comfort zone.”

“You can say no.”

Please don’t say no.

“I can absolutely go,” he says, and brushes my hair aside, exposing my shoulder. He leans in and presses a kiss to the skin there. “We can stay through the weekend if you like.”

“That could be fun. I’ve actually never been.”

“You’ve never been to L.A.?”

“Nope.”

“Well, then we should definitely stay for a couple of days. Feel free to set up several meetings if you like. I’ll have enough work to keep me busy while you’re working.”

“You’re wonderful,” I murmur, and kiss his chest. “Thank you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m banking on you taking me to Disneyland.”

I lean back and laugh. “If that’s what you want, you got it.”

“Right on.”

“You know I love you,” I say to Jeffrey and cross the floor to him, laying my hand on his chest and pleading with my eyes. “You know this isn’t the way it looks.”

“I don’t know what to think, Celeste,” he replies, and shoves my hand away.

“Less shoving at her,” Gerald says. “You’re not just angry, you’re hurt.”

I put my hand back on his chest. “You know this isn’t the way it looks.”

“I don’t know what to think, Celeste.” He takes my hand off him and lowers it, then pulls his hand away.

“Better,” Gerald says. “You two do have excellent chemistry together. I’ve seen your shows.”

“You’ve seen the shows Jeffrey and I did together?”

“Yes, and all of the others. I’ve seen all of your shows,” he repeats, and sits on a sofa, as if he just told me he loves cheese.

Gerald has been a Hollywood powerhouse for twenty years. To hear that he’s seen my work is beyond humbling.

“I’ve wanted to work with you for a long time,” he continues, “but your agent always told me you were content in theater.”

“She didn’t tell me that you were the interested director,” I reply, making a mental note to have a conversation with my agent, Liz.

“Would that have changed your mind?” Gerald asks.

“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe. It’s an honor to be considered for this role.”

“This role could change your life,” he says. I look over to Jeffrey, who just smiles that wide, handsome Cheshire cat smile.

“Like I said, I’m honored to be here. If this is a go for you, and if the contracts work out, I’m in.”

“I have to warn you,” Gerald says, never looking away from my eyes. “There will be a lot of choreography. This film is a full-fledged musical, similar to Chicago, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman in intensity. You’ll be singing and dancing every day. I want to be in the studio a month before we start filming for choreography and to record the music.”

“I can do that.”

“Are you sure you’re healthy enough for the physical demands?”

I lick my lips and hold Gerald’s gaze. “I am healthy enough. My physical therapist released me fully, and I can have those records sent to you if you’d like. I’ve started dance classes again, and I can pick the pace up on that. I’ve not let up on my vocal training, so that’s as strong as it ever was.”

“That’s good to hear,” Gerald replies, and nods. “Very good to hear. Would you mind meeting with the choreographer tomorrow to go through some of the basics?”