Chapter 12

12

By 8:00 a.m. , Teddy had changed into Billy Barnett and was in the hotel restaurant, having breakfast with Tessa, Peter, Hattie, Adriene, and an entertainment writer from one of Italy’s foremost entertainment news outlets.

Tessa, Adriene, and Peter regaled their guest with tales from the set, while Hattie discussed her approach for the soundtrack. Billy was thrown a few softball questions throughout the meal, for which he made sure to highlight the contributions of other members of the production staff.

At precisely ten a.m., Stacy approached the table and gave Billy a subtle nod.

“This has been a wonderful way to start our day,” he said to the reporter. “But unfortunately, we have another appointment we need to get to.”

They said their goodbyes, then the Centurion group headed out to a waiting van.

On the drive to Cineteca Paoletti’s studio lot, Billy checked for messages from Rogers. He knew it was unlikely there would be any this soon, and he was right.

Lizzie was waiting for them when they arrived. After escorting everyone into a conference room, she said, “I hope you’re excited for press junket day!”

“Is anyone ever excited for press junket day?” Peter asked.

“I am,” Adriene said.

“Only because it’s your first,” Tessa said.

“It’s really not that bad,” Lizzie said to Adriene. “You each get your own room. Journalists will come in, interview you for ten minutes, then cycle to the next room.”

“How many journalists?” Billy asked.

“Fifteen.”

“At ten minutes each? That’s what?” Adriene asked.

“Two and a half hours,” Billy said.

“Whoa.”

“And that’s not counting the five minutes between for moving around.”

“ And the fact that there’s always a few that go long,” Lizzie added. “To be safe, figure it will take four hours.”

Instead of looking excited, Adriene now looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights.

“Four hours is nothing,” Lizzie assured her. “Some press junkets can last all day.”

“All day ?” Adriene said.

“Don’t worry,” Billy said. “The time will fly by.”

“And the questions are almost always the same from reporter to reporter,” Hattie added. “After the third or fourth interview, you’ll be running on autopilot.”

“Just be yourself, and you’ll do fine,” Billy said.

Several offices had been converted into interview rooms, with comfortable chairs, beautiful flowers, and the film’s logo mounted on a backdrop. Once all of the film’s principals were in their assigned rooms, the reporters began rotating in and out.

Billy had done many events like this before, and easily charmed his way through what turned out to be three and a quarter hours of repeating himself over and over.

When the last reporter had left, Stacy stuck her head into the room and said, “That’s a wrap.”

“Next time someone suggests I come on one of these trips, please remind me to fire them.”

“Ah, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

“Wait until you have to sit in this chair.”

“I am waiting.”

“I have a feeling that day will come sooner than later, and when it does, then we’ll talk.”

“I look forward to it.”

“What’s next?” he asked.

“Tessa, Peter, and Adriene are off with Lizzie to appear on an afternoon talk show. You and Hattie have nothing on the schedule until the cocktail party this evening.”

“You mean I’m free?”

“You are not free. You have several dozen emails awaiting your responses.”

“That doesn’t sound fun.”

She flashed a cheeky smile. “Finish first, then you can have fun.”

Between dealing with his emails and occasionally checking to see if Rogers had made contact, Billy was kept busy all afternoon. If Stacy hadn’t called him at five p.m. and reminded him to get ready for the cocktail party, he would have still been sitting in front of his laptop.

By six p.m., he was just stepping out of the elevator into the lobby when his phone vibrated.

He checked the screen, hoping for a text from agent Rogers, but it was from Stacy, asking if he was on his way.

The best thing about tonight’s party was that Billy and the others didn’t have to travel anywhere. The event was being hosted by Centurion Pictures and thrown in a banquet room at their hotel. The invited guests were mostly journalists and film people from countries near Italy that the Storm’s Eye press tour would not be visiting.

There were already quite a few people present when Billy entered. He greeted and schmoozed and made sure the attendees were having a good time. About forty minutes after the party began, the lights dimmed, and selected scenes from Storm’s Eye played on a large screen at one end of the room.

From the enthusiastic applause that broke out after the last clip had finished, it was obvious the crowd genuinely enjoyed what they’d watched.

No question about it. Centurion had another hit on its hands.

As the lights came back on, Billy sensed someone move next to him.

“Buonasera,” Bianca said.

“ Buonasera . I hadn’t realized you were coming to this.”

“I may have used some of my influence to obtain an invite. Though you could have given me one yourself.”

“You’re right. My apologies. I should have thought of that.”

“Yes, you should have.” She pouted and playfully tapped his arm. “Please tell me you have not also forgotten about our date.”

“Of course not.”

Her smile returned. “Good. I would not have taken being rejected two nights in a row well.”

“Rest assured. No rejection will be forthcoming.”

She played her fingers across the front of his jacket. “That is exactly what I wanted to hear.”

He gestured toward the screen. “Did you enjoy what you saw?”

“How could I not? It looks fantastic. I cannot wait to see the entire film.”

“Peter will be happy to hear that.”

“This Mark Weldon, he is a very good actor. So much talent. He did not come on this trip with you?”

“He’ll be joining us at our next stop.”

“That is too bad. I would have liked to meet him.”

“You could always come to Venice and meet him there.”

“That is an intriguing idea. Perhaps I will. For now, though, all I want to think about is you.”

“Then I believe I’m starting to feel hungry. Shall we go to my suite and order dinner?”

She pressed her body against his. “To your suite, sì. But I think we should wait to order until we’ve worked up an appetite.”