Page 128 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

I grip the steering wheel and pretend it’s Zachery’s hand. “When you choseLimited Fateas a project, I could immediately see its potential. If the central message of the movie is going to come into play as you put your team together, then you have to believe that Caleb and Salena being unavailable was a sign. Fate. I really, truly believe that all the pieces will come together with Jason and Gayle in place.”

Another pause, then Drake says, “If this Jason kid can act the way he behaved in that video, I believe you. And I’m very familiar with Gayle. My eight-year-old daughter is huge into horses and has watched that Netflix series from start to finish more times than I can count.”

“Do you see how she fits with him? It’s in how she gazes up, how she holds herself.”

“You like body language.”

I laugh. “I think it’s everything, and it can’t always be taught.”

“Can you get them together for a screen test? I’d like to see what they’ve got in person.”

Oh, wow. “Absolutely. What timeline are you looking at?”

“I want the package put together by end of June. Can we do it inside of two weeks?”

“Let me get with the agents and make it happen.” And now a page from Desdemona’s book. Act like you’re the center of everything. “I saw Jason at a party, so he’ll be easy to track down. Gayle is likely taking a well-deserved break after six seasons, but I’ll get her in.”

“Excellent. Shoot to get it done before the nineteenth, before I have to leave LA for a while. Send my assistant the details as soon as you have them.”

Then it’s over.

I’ve done it. I’ve gotten Jason and Gayle their chance.

Fate will determine if they can make it to this reading. It’s like I’ve always known, casting is half talent, half availability.

But this is the biggest, most beautiful opportunity I’ve ever put together.

Not a mall cop with two lines. Not a random waitress with sass.

And not a leading role under Desdemona’s shadow.

This is me.

My legacy.

My perfect pairing of a couple who will light up the screen.

And it’s going to have to be enough, because that same magic is simply not happening for me in real life.

I reach LA Thursday evening. I’m too tired to even tell Jester I’m back. Tomorrow will be soon enough.

I text Zachery as I fall asleep, letting him know I have Jason back in, but when I wake up the next morning, he hasn’t replied.

Maybe he needs more space. That was a brutal last day we had. I’m not over it, either.

But I long to tell him about what happened. That he was right. The whole idea of running a romance on a movie timeline was insane. And things weren’t quite right with the Hanover clan. And I know now that I’m too big-city for a small-town love affair.

I’m different. It’s something I learned in Wyoming, and that’s what the best journeys do.

In addition to finding out that Zachery Carter is the full package.

A really full package.

I put on my favorite Hollywood clothes. High heels (secondhand Louboutins, $125, full price $1,100.) A khaki linen Yves Saint Laurent dress (also secondhand, $250, originally $2,400).

I feel good.

It’s warm, and the light sweat that breaks out on the back of my neck is like a welcome home. I choose the Hollywood Boulevard path as I walk from my car to the office.

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