All the Way (Romancing Manhattan #1)(42)

“You can say no.”

Please don’t say no.

“I can absolutely go,” he says, and brushes my hair aside, exposing my shoulder. He leans in and presses a kiss to the skin there. “We can stay through the weekend if you like.”

“That could be fun. I’ve actually never been.”

“You’ve never been to L.A.?”

“Nope.”

“Well, then we should definitely stay for a couple of days. Feel free to set up several meetings if you like. I’ll have enough work to keep me busy while you’re working.”

“You’re wonderful,” I murmur, and kiss his chest. “Thank you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m banking on you taking me to Disneyland.”

I lean back and laugh. “If that’s what you want, you got it.”

“Right on.”



“You know I love you,” I say to Jeffrey and cross the floor to him, laying my hand on his chest and pleading with my eyes. “You know this isn’t the way it looks.”

“I don’t know what to think, Celeste,” he replies, and shoves my hand away.

“Less shoving at her,” Gerald says. “You’re not just angry, you’re hurt.”

I put my hand back on his chest. “You know this isn’t the way it looks.”

“I don’t know what to think, Celeste.” He takes my hand off him and lowers it, then pulls his hand away.

“Better,” Gerald says. “You two do have excellent chemistry together. I’ve seen your shows.”

“You’ve seen the shows Jeffrey and I did together?”

“Yes, and all of the others. I’ve seen all of your shows,” he repeats, and sits on a sofa, as if he just told me he loves cheese.

Gerald has been a Hollywood powerhouse for twenty years. To hear that he’s seen my work is beyond humbling.

“I’ve wanted to work with you for a long time,” he continues, “but your agent always told me you were content in theater.”

“She didn’t tell me that you were the interested director,” I reply, making a mental note to have a conversation with my agent, Liz.

“Would that have changed your mind?” Gerald asks.

“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe. It’s an honor to be considered for this role.”

“This role could change your life,” he says. I look over to Jeffrey, who just smiles that wide, handsome Cheshire cat smile.

“Like I said, I’m honored to be here. If this is a go for you, and if the contracts work out, I’m in.”

“I have to warn you,” Gerald says, never looking away from my eyes. “There will be a lot of choreography. This film is a full-fledged musical, similar to Chicago, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman in intensity. You’ll be singing and dancing every day. I want to be in the studio a month before we start filming for choreography and to record the music.”

“I can do that.”

“Are you sure you’re healthy enough for the physical demands?”

I lick my lips and hold Gerald’s gaze. “I am healthy enough. My physical therapist released me fully, and I can have those records sent to you if you’d like. I’ve started dance classes again, and I can pick the pace up on that. I’ve not let up on my vocal training, so that’s as strong as it ever was.”

“That’s good to hear,” Gerald replies, and nods. “Very good to hear. Would you mind meeting with the choreographer tomorrow to go through some of the basics?”

“Is my getting the part dependent on this?”

“No.” He looks over at Jeffrey, and then back to me. “You’ve already got the job. I’d just like to take advantage of you being in town.”

“I’ll squeeze it in,” I reply, and stand when he does. “Thank you, Gerald.”

“Thank you, London. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

Jeffrey walks me outside and stands with me while I wait for my car.

“You did so great in there,” he says, and pulls me in for a big hug. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Are you kidding? Thank you for thinking of me for it. We’re doing a movie together.”

“Yes, we are. How long are you here?”

“Finn and I are here through the weekend.”

“So, things are serious with Finn?”

“I’d say they are, yes.” I look up at him and then roll my eyes. “Okay, overprotective friend.”

“He’s not an actor.”

“Thank God.”

“Nonactors don’t get it, London. The fame, the money.”

“He has plenty of his own money.”

“Okay, the fame, then. It’s not easy.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see what he’s made of, then, won’t we?” I shrug and climb into the back of my car, waving at him as we pull away.

The drive to the hotel doesn’t take long, and when I walk into the suite, I don’t immediately see Finn, making me frown.

He was here working all day. Maybe he went out for something?

I wander through to the master bedroom, and hear the shower in the connected bathroom.