Page 84 of The VIP Doubles Down
She swallowed against the anxiety clamping a fist around her throat, typing,Are you in LA?
Yeah, so you don’t have to call the cops, he typed back.
His dig sent anger prickling through her, even as the tightness in her throat eased at the knowledge that he was three thousand miles away. It was so typical of him to jab at her when he was the one who had initiated the communication.
She’d learned that it was better to respond promptly or Troy would escalate his attempts to reach her. He refused to believe she really meant that he should not have any contact with her. And since she didn’t have the heart to notify the police when he called, it was partly her fault.
But she didn’t want Gavin walking in on a conversation with her ex. She made her way back to the office to find him standing at the window, staring out at the sea again. As soon as he heard her, he pivoted, raking her with an inquisitor’s gaze. “You look like it was bad news. Can I help?”
She shook her head. “Everyday life intrudes, even in the Hamptons. I just wanted to let you know that I need to make a phone call. I’ll go to another room so you can get to work.”
“Of course.” He paused as though he wanted to say something more but then walked to his desk.
She felt weirdly disloyal, lying to him about calling Troy, but she didn’t want to go down that twisty road.
She left Gavin in the office and returned to the pool room.
“What is it, Troy?” she said as he answered.
“It’s sunny in LA, and they love me in my role, and I’m staying at Finn Bolger’s apartment right on the water. Thank you for asking.” His tone reached for irony but came off as boastful.
“Sorry, but I’m crunched for time, and your message sounded urgent.” She forced herself to loosen her grip on the phone before the pressure cracked the screen.
“You’re never going to believe who I’m acting in four scenes with.” He paused for effect. “Irene Bartram!”
“She’s in asoap opera?” Shock made Allie tactless, and she could practically feel the chill across all three thousand miles.
“Many stars got their start insoap operas.” He mimicked her scornful tone perfectly.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I thought she only did movies.”
“She’s lowering herself to do a guest appearance onSaints and Sinners.” The frost melted into whining. “You love the Julian Best movies, so I thought you’d be excited. Irene and I have been talking about what it’s like to work with Hugh Baker and Edwin Shaw.”
She decided not to tell him that she’d met Irene Bartram and Hugh Baker and hadn’t been impressed.
“I have to give you credit,” he said. “All the times you made me watch the Julian Best movies paid off. Irene was bowled over by how much I knew. She says I have a profound understanding of the dynamic, and I should consider auditioning for a role.”
“Glad I could help, Troy, but I have to go.”
“Wait! I have some not-so-good news for you.” She braced herself as Troy continued. “I know you love the Julian Best books, but Irene says that the author, Gavin Miller, has a bad case of writer’s block. Can’t write a word. He’s way past his deadline for the next book. And she’d know because she was engaged to him.” He lowered his voice. “It’s so bad that they’re hiring a ghostwriter to do the screenplay for the next movie.”
“What? That can’t be right!” Allie cast a nervous glance at the door to make sure Gavin wasn’t racing in to see what she was yelling about.
“I think Irene would be correct, since she’s starring in the movie. And she’s going to get me an audition for a speaking role. She says I’d be perfect for Sturgis Wolfe’s right-hand man.” His excitement came through the telephone line.
Allie made sure to keep her voice calm this time. Troy didn’t know about her connection with Gavin, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Does Irene have any idea when the movie will be released?”
“Late next year. I know you’d rather have a book,” Troy said, although he’d never understood her preference, “but a movie is better than no Julian Best at all.”
She might have agreed with that before she’d met Gavin, but not now. “I’m still hoping for another book.”
“Did I tell you that they love me?”
“Yes, but I have to go to work.”
“Okay.” His tone was sulky, but he disconnected.
She lowered the phone. It didn’t make sense. Hugh said he’d been released from his movie contract, and he wouldn’t be mistaken about that. So why would they hire a ghostwriter to create a script? She didn’t know anything about how contracts worked for books that got turned into movies, but Gavin must have some control over the character he had imagined into fictional existence. However, the fact that Irene had promised Troy an audition made the movie sound like a reality.
