Page 21 of Love on the Byline

BRAN: And now?

BLAKE DILLON: Now it’s about choice.

BRAN: Between what to see and what to skip?

BLAKE DILLON: Between food and rent or blowing it onover-hyped, over-produced rehashes of things I saw when I was a kid.

Well, damn. And okay, she had a point. The projects Bran haddone in the beginning of his career weren’t exactly examples of cinematic art.He’d become more discerning. Or, rather, Ollie had helped him choose whichprojects to do. It was a responsibility he considered a privilege.

BRAN: There are a lot of good movies out there. You’remissing out.

BLAKE DILLON: Where should I start then?

It only took Ollie a second to contemplate.

BRAN: I Am My Own Country

BRAN: Do you know it?

BLAKE DILLION: I’ve heard of it, but I’m surprised you’veseen it.

BRAN: Why?

BLAKE DILLON: No explosions, no one dies, period costumes…Should I go on?

Ollie was about to protest when he remembered who Blakethought she was talking to. Bran would never voluntarily watch something likethat unless he was prepping for a role.

BRAN: It’s one of Ollie’s favorites.

There. Not a lie.

BLAKE DILLON: Ah ha! That makes much more sense.

BRAN: Because he’s a nerd?

BLAKE DILLON: Don’t be petty. Oliver is special. You’relucky to have him. He’s trying to educate you.

Ollie stared at the screen, his jaw on the proverbial floor.Blake thought he was special? He had a quadrillion questions, none of which hecould ask. Not as Bran. Not without sounding like a creep.

BLAKE DILLION: I have work to do before bed. Later,Superman.

His heart thumped hard against his ribcage, his stupidcollege crush rearing its ugly head. If he weren’t careful, it might turn intosomething much more. Ollie nearly jumped out of his skin when his own phonechimed.

BLAKE: I think Hell just froze over. Your bestie actuallyapologized to me.

OLLIE: Should I call an ambulance?

BLAKE: You might want to check he hasn’t been swapped outby aliens.

He laughed out loud. Despite the ludicrous circumstances, hewas thrilled at the chance to get to know Blake all over again. He picturedgrabbing coffee with her, spending long afternoons hashing through plot pointswhile she did research for her article. The quiet camaraderie they’d shared incollege could blossom into a full-fledged friendship. Maybe a bit more.

“Slow down, bud. Gotta walk before you can run.”

But he couldn’t stop smiling.

5

On the drive back to South Pasadena, Blake had made a reluctantcall to Gideon. She’d known what he would say, and all of the arguments hewould make before he’d even picked up the phone.

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