Page 107 of Valentine Nook
“Holiday—”
“No, I don’t want them,” I bark. I also don’t want to goaround and around in circles while she tries to persuade me to take on more roles. “But?—”
Marcy’s entire body loosens under my grip. “Of course, there’s abut. . . We can postpone. They’ll push for you. You’re an Oscar winner now, for Christ’s sake. We can change the start date, whatever you want.”
“No,” I repeat, firmer this time. “I want to do something different.”
“Different?” She must be due a fresh round of Botox because the tiniest hint of a crease appears on her brow. “You mean television? That could work. I can see if there’s something in development you can lead.Applewould be a good fit for you. Or an anthology season. I’m hearing rumors aboutTrue Detectivecoming back?—”
I swallow hard. “Theater.”
“Theater?”
“Yes. I want to try theater.”
She steps away from me, blinking hard. “I thought we talked about this.”
“Now we’re talking again.”
“Broadway?”
“Yes.” When I think about Lando in the hallway, I blurt, “Or the West End.”
“London? You wanna live in London?”
“I want to try theater,” I repeat.
She stares at me. I put on my best resigned expression while her lips purse and relax, purse and relax until eventually she decides not to push the subject further.
“Okay, leave it with me. I’ll put some feelers out,” she says, slinging her giant bag onto her shoulder. “I’ll call you when I have something.”
Wrapping me in a final hug, she flings open the door and hurries away at her typical million miles an hour off to her next meeting.
I slowly walk toward Lando as he pushes off the wall. “Did you sign it?”
I nod. “Yes, I did.”
His chin tips to the meeting room behind me. “And that? You told her?”
“Also, yes.”
He darts forward, and his mouth smacks against mine. “Proud of you, Hollywood.”
My eyes fall on where the three lipstick girls are standing halfway down the corridor. “What were they saying? I saw you listening.”
“They think you’re the most beautiful American they’ve ever seen, and they’re excited to work with you. And they’re also wondering how you put up with her.” His eyes follow to where Marcy is pushing through the front doors. “Two points I happen to agree with.”
My lips twitch. “Hmm.”
“Are you ready to go?”
“I am.”
I revel in the way Lando’s palm fits possessively on the small of my back as he walks me out to a waiting car, where the driver jumps out to open the door. Lando hurries around to the opposite side and slips in before I do.
Two large orange bags are waiting in the center console.
“What are those?”
