6. Approach With Caution

6

Approach With Cautio n

Auston

Madison keeps chattering in my ear about something, but I can’t bring myself to pay attention. Right now, I’m not Diego, and she’s not Sarah. Which means I’m under no obligation to listen to her.

My mind is still resonating with Emma’s words from earlier. And the way she came alive, her eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed. I could almost see a glimmer of the Emma I knew ten years ago.

What she s aid makes sense too. I need to talk to Clarence about taking another look at the script. It’s my duty as a producer and the lead actor. Okay, maybe it’s a little personal too. This might be my shot to spend some time with Emma, something I can’t stop craving. Even if she doesn’t remember who I am, I need to know that she’s okay.

Clarence is currently going over the dailies, AKA the raw footage from today, with Stuart and June.

“Clarence,” I call out. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”

“Sure.” He nods, coming over.

“I keep thinking about what that girl, Emma, said earlier about Diego’s gesture.”

He opens his mouth to retort, but I raise my hand.

“I know what you’re going to say. But hear me out. This book is wildly popular, and we already know it might be a tough sell for the hardcore fans. That’s often the case. Getting input from one of those fans isn’t such a bad idea. Ultimately, books belong to the readers, not the authors. They’re the ones who turn them into something big. Maybe we can ask her opinion on the script, and I can work with her on my character.”

“Auston,” Clarence sighs, scratching his head. “That’s not how it works.”

“We have consultants, don’t we?”

He scoffs. “Not after productio n starts!”

“Clarence, you know I only agreed to this project because of you. We can do great things together. I want to do this story justice. Don’t you? Isn’t that why we’re filming this entire thing here in New York? Why you didn’t want to recreate the bookstore on a lousy soundstage? It’s about authenticity.” I’m a little out of breath, but I think my rant was worth it. Clarence is hesitating. “I really believe it’s the right choice.”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes. “We can’t change much at this point, but you can bring her on board. I’ll ask Stuart to set up the contract and talk to her.”

“How about I talk to her?”

“Why?” He furrows his eyebrows, peering at me suspiciously.

I shove my hands in my pockets. “I just have a feeling she’ll need some convincing.”

“Fine by me. Do what you do best.”

I flash my award-winning smile. “Will do.”

“Hey, you! Why did you disappear?” Madison’s voice purrs behind me, her hand grazing my back. “I missed you.”

“Look, Madison,” I murmur in a low voice, not wanting to embarrass her in front of the crew. “I told you I’m not interested. The sooner you accept th at, the better. Can’t we just be friends and professionals for once?”

She looks taken aback, but she wouldn’t be Madison White if she didn’t recover quickly. “Auston,” she says, laying her hand on my chest. “I’m always professional. What do you say we go out to Gino’s tonight to celebrate our first day of filming?”

I arch an eyebrow. “Gino’s? As in the most popular celebrity hangout in Manhattan?”

“Well, we are shooting together. Or have you forgotten how publicity works?”

I knew agreeing to this movie was a bad idea. “I have other plans, Madi. We can let the PR team handle our publicity.”

Before she can utter another word, I worm my way off set. I head to the door that stands next to the bookstore, the same one where Emma disappeared earlier, and ring the doorbell.

“Who is it?” a cheerful voice asks on the interphone.

I clear my throat. “Auston Buckley. We met earlier. I’m the a—”

A loud curse rips out of her mouth, followed by some ruffling. The sound seems to turn off, then she says, “I’ll buzz you in.”

The buzzer blares, and I push the door open. As I walk up the flight of stairs, the door at the top opens, revealing the brunette from earlier. Alice, I think.

“Hi.” I wave. “Sorry to drop by. I was wondering if I could talk to Emma?”

Alice blinks back in confusion. “Emma? Um, sure. Come in.”

She steps back to let me into a large living area. It’s very Brooklyn loft meets cozy chalet with its wooden flooring, brick walls, hardwood table, and metal chairs that contrast against the plush rugs and comfy-looking couch.

“Emz, someone here to see you,” Alice calls into the corridor on her right.

“What is it?” Emma grumbles, stomping out from what I assume is her room. Then, she sees me, and she freezes. One would think that’s a clear sign she just recognized me, but I know the look all too well. Alice just wore it, like every other person I meet does. It’s the “movie star effect.” A look I used to crave but resent now.

“Hey, I’m sorry to disturb you,” I mumble as she shuffles closer. “Can we chat?”

She crosses her arms and leans against the wall in the corridor. “Why?”

Alice gasps, and I almost let out a chuckle. “It’s about the movie. The director sent me.”

Her shoulders drop, then she roll s her eyes. “What now? Am I banned from the street or something?”

“The opposite, actually.” I flash my signature smile. “You made quite the impression earlier, and he’d like to offer you a consulting job. Basically, you’d look at the script and give us some notes. And you and I would work on my character, one on one, to make sure Diego is exactly the way the fans envision him.”

“Oh mon dieu, c’est génial,” Alice lets out with an elated smile.

I cast her a confused glance.

“Sorry, I’m French. Carry on.”

“Um, right.” I clear my throat, turning back to Emma. “So what do you say? Will you give me pointers and review the script?”

She folds her arms tighter against her chest. “Hard pass.”

“Please, just consider it. You’d be highly compensated.” In truth, I have no idea how much they’re planning on offering, but I’ll up the amount if I have to.

Alice is watching us like a spectator enthralled by a tennis match.

“I don’t care about money,” Emma shoots back, turning away.

“You don’t?” I stammer. In my world, everyone cares about money.

“Have a good night.”

“What do you care abou—” I begin to ask, but she slams the bedroom door behind her.

“Sorry about Emma,” Alice says with a grimace. “We’ll work on her. She’ll come around.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “I think that was a pretty firm no.”

“Ah.” She waves a hand in dismissal. “That’s just Emma. Just like a bear or a lion, you need to approach her with caution, but we always get through to her. It’s nothing a friend intervention can’t solve.”

“That sounds a little dramatic.” And nothing like the girl I used to know.

“Believe me. Dramatic is Emma’s middle name.” She chuckles. “When does she have to report for duty?”

“Tomorrow, eight a.m. at my trailer. I’ll send someone with the script so she can have a quick look tonight if she wants. But are you sure?”

She nods, her eyes lighting up. “Positive. She’ll be there.”