Page 74 of Mister Mom

“We have,” he says. “Why did you want her again?” Jagger discreetly looks at me and I know he’s trying to see how invested Hannah is in her. “Do you know her?”

“No.” She laughs. “I don’t know her, but I watched a film she starred in right after her stint on that kids’ channel was over. Anyway, it got me thinking how she’s had nothing but secondary character roles as an adult. I think she’ll be a good Melanie. She’s a fresh face and she’s due for her spotlight. Why not utilize someone new and different rather than an overused actress with a bunch of roles behind her? I want people to see her as Melanie.”

“Those overused actresses put asses in the seats,” Jagger says, but smiles. “But fresh faces, as you say, can do it, too. If we’re lucky it’ll be known as her breakout role a decade from now.”

“What film did you see her in?” I ask and Jagger shoots me a glare.

“Um…” Her fingers drum along her lips. “Polarized.” She points to me. “It’s about a girl who suffers from bipolar disorder in college. Very dramatic and really well done.”

Huh, I’ve never heard of it.

“I’ll have to watch it, I’m not sure I remember that one,” I say.

“It went straight to DVD.” Jagger fills me in.

“You really should watch it,” Hannah says to me. “Oh, and who are you thinking for Joseph? Wait!” She sits up straighter, clearly excited for whatever she’s going to say. “How about Carver Sterling? They’re married, right?”

Jagger’s eyes widen and he picks up his drink and takes a large sip.

“Actually, they’re getting divorced,” I remark.

She slouches down in her chair. “That’s too bad, because he might be a good fit. It’ll definitely be on everyone’s radar if it’s the film that put their family back together.” She laughs.

Our salads arrive and I unwrap the silverware, placing my napkin in my lap, taking extra care to concentrate on the task before I bend over the table and tell Hannah that Layla’s taken, and not by Carver Sterling.

“We can definitely keep that in mind.” Jagger takes the lead on responding, which I’m thankful for.

“I’d love to fly out when you start doing casting.” She picks up her fork, mixing the lettuce around with her fork. “I want to start filming this summer. I have a few Chicago locations in mind.”

“We’ll get everything sorted once we finalize all the moving parts of the project.” Jagger eats his salad, smiling over a mouthful of lettuce.

“Great. So, are you two ready for me to show you a good time on the town tonight?” Her perfectly arched eyebrows rise and her already huge smile widens further.

“Sorry?” I ask. My plans had consisted of going back upstairs and calling Layla.

“Yes. I need to show you the city where your love story is going to come to life.”

I hate that I have to keep an investor happy. My story originated in Climax Cove. Climax Cove and Chicago are drastically different places, but I have no choice. I try reminding myself that it would’ve been worse if I’d sold the script to a big studio—I would have had zero say in anything if that were the case.

“Sounds great. We have another buddy who flew in with us. He’ll meet up with us too, if that’s okay?” Jagger asks.

“The more the merrier.”

I have a feeling I’m not going to be feeling all that well tomorrow morning.

19

Layla

I’ve lost all energy to move Payne from my lap. We put Via to sleep and he’s been so great with Vance the three weeks I was filming that I rewarded him with a movie night. Now the credits are rolling and he’s asleep on my lap.

The time on the cable box glows in the dark room. Eleven at night and no text or contact from Vance since he left for dinner. Chicago is two hours ahead, which means it’s one o’clock in the morning.

My insecurities wreak havoc on my mind. He could be writing in his hotel room, but Jagger doesn’t seem like the type who would let him hole up in his room. And there’s the fact Leo joined them, which really means it’s more of a guys’ trip. Strip clubs. Lap dances. Visions of tabloid photos of sleazy strippers on Carver’s lap slam into the forefront of my mind.

Not Vance, though. No way. Then again, I’ve only known him a few weeks.

Still, in some ways I feel like I know Vance better than I ever knew Carver. I realize now that Carver showed me what he thought I wanted to see. Vance shows me who he really is.

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