Page 107 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

Searching my eyes, she bit her lip, struggling more than she should be. “I just don’t want anyone to think you’re only making it to help me get my foot in the door. I’d rather it not be made at all.”

I sighed. Unfortunately, she was right. People had been crucified for making bad movies for people they loved before.

“I’m not saying I don’t want it to be made,” she said, logic taking over. “But if it is, I think it would be best for us both if my name wasn’t associated with it.”

I tried to hide my smile. I knew what she was saying was valid and it was something that would take a large amount of consideration, but the fact that she more or less had just agreed to let me make it, made me a very happy man. “Can I make a suggestion?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t pushing my luck too far.

She gave me a wary look, waiting.

“Get your manuscript ready and get yourself a literary agent, because once this has been optioned, you’re going to print, baby.”

Her eyes widened as the enormity of it all hit her. “Crap.”

Pulling her into my arms, I laughed. I had no doubt that success was coming for her whether she liked it or not. And I didn’t think it could come to a more deserving person.

Chapter 65

Olivia

Sitting in the passenger seat of the Escalade, I clutched my hands in my lap as Josh turned off the engine.

Taking the keys out of the ignition, he turned to me and laughed. “You look like you’re about to be executed.”

I didn’t tell him I felt like it too.

Leaning over, he kissed me, amusement streaming from his eyes. “Liv, my parents already love you, so you can stop worrying.”

Rolling my eyes, I unclipped my seat belt and looked up at the mansion we were parked outside of. “They haven’t even met me yet.”

“It doesn’t matter. They know you make me happy, and that’s al

l they care about,” he said, climbing from the SUV. Coming around to my side, he opened my door and waited for me to step out, pulling me into him the second I did. “You have nothing to worry about, beautiful,” he said, kissing me, soft and slow.

“Ah, so this is how he keeps you from running away . . .”

I turned at the sound of the man’s voice, finding an older version of Josh, with salt-and-pepper hair and slightly greener eyes.

He stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. “You must be Olivia,” he said, giving me a gentle hug and kissing me on the cheek. “I’m James. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

I smiled, my body starting to relax almost immediately. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

The front door opened, and a woman walked out onto the porch. “I’m sorry,” she said, rushing down the stairs. “He escaped before I could stop him. I hope he hasn’t said anything inappropriate.”

Josh laughed, hugging his dad before opening his arms for his mom. “Not yet,” he said. “But give him time. I’m sure he won’t disappoint. Mom, this is Liv.”

His mom laughed, the sound deep and playful. “Hi, Liv,” she said, pulling me into a warm embrace. “I’m Rachel.”

“Hi, Rachel,” I said, liking them both already. Josh had said I would, but I hadn’t been so sure.

Rachel beamed at me. “Come inside and freshen up. People will be here before you know it.”

I nodded, remembering the party that had been organized for tonight. Josh only had a couple days off filming, so it was easier for him to just invite all his old friends here for a private get-together, rather than trying to find a way to see everyone while fighting the paparazzi.

Rachel wrapped her hands around James’s arm and let out a contented sigh. “Grab your bags, Josh. Your room has already been made up for you.”

Josh winked at me and smiled before retrieving our bags from the trunk. Kissing me on the cheek, he whispered in my ear: “Told you so.”

I refrained from poking my tongue out at him as we followed his parents inside, but only just. And it wasn’t until we were by ourselves in the room Josh called ‘his’ that I finally allowed myself to smile.

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