Authors: Kelly Favor
“Kallie Young?” the gravelly voice shouted.
“Yes. This is.”
“Kallie, this is Max. Max Weisman. Listen, I took a look at the script you sent us…”
There was a long pause. It sounded like he was chewing—eating a sandwich, perhaps.
“Thanks for looking at it,” Kallie said, hoping to prompt another sentence from him. She was on pins and needles.
He seemed to finish chewing. “The thing is, it’s not really what I’d imagined when I spoke to you earlier. It’s nothing like When Harry Met Sally or The Hangover.”
“No, I’m sorry—it’s not like those films,” she said, dejected.
“It’s better.”
Her heart sprang in her chest. “Excuse me?” she said.
“It’s better than those films. At least, I think it can be better, if we get the right director and cast and budget. I’m very, very interested in making this film, Miss Young.
Is Hunter Reardon interested in partnering with us on this?”
She looked at Hunter, who was pacing the room, smoke practically coming from his ears.
“Uh….I don’t know exactly.”
“Well I hope you didn’t send it to me, just to rub my nose in it?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. Then I’d like to have a meeting with your production team and the writer, tomorrow, at my office in L.A. How’s that sound?”
“Absolutely,” she said, not knowing how she was going to accomplish that, but realizing that she just had to do it.
“How does two o’clock sound? You can hop the Red Eye and be here in plenty of time.”
“Sure.”
“I look forward to making this film together, Kallie. You picked a winner.”
Kallie got off and looked at Hunter. He had his back turned to her, hands on hips.
“Did you act as an agent to a film that was sent to my company—and sell it to a rival production house?” he asked her.
“That wasn’t my intention.”
He turned around and faced her. “But it’s what you did.”
“I don’t really know the film business,” she said. “I just thought I could try and get his screenplay looked at, so I asked Nicole and she asked Red—“
“You don’t know the business, so you thought it would be okay to steal something of mine and pass it off as your own?” he shook his head. “You’ve been snooping around and pulling stunts like this since day one,” he said. “I should have seen it coming.”
“I asked you to read it, and you shot me down without even giving it a chance.”
His jaw clenched. “I own this company, Kallie. I make the decisions around here. For you to just go off on your own like that—it’s unethical, it’s wrong, it’s disgusting.”
“You’re right,” she told him softly. “You’re one hundred percent right.”
“I know I am.” He was breathing heavily, shaking his head.
“If you want me to call Max and tell him we aren’t interested in taking the meeting—“
Hunter barked at her. “Of course we’re taking the damn meeting.”
She recoiled, surprised. “We are?”
Hunter laughed bitterly. “I might be pissed off, but I’m not a complete fool. Max Weisman is one of the biggest producers in Hollywood. This is a huge opportunity—for us, and for your little writer friend.”
“Bryson,” she said, remembering that there was a real person’s life and dreams at stake here.
“Yes, Bryson,” Hunter replied, his eyebrows rising. “What do you know about this guy?”
“Almost nothing. I know that he’s a bartender in L.A. and he seems nice enough on the phone.”
“Right, the phone call you made with my cell phone, that you stole from my room, in order to pretend to speak on behalf of my production company, with a script you essentially stole from me. Have I left out anything?”
“I also used your computer last night.”
Hunter glared at her. “Unbelievable.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Please stop apologizing. If you really knew how wrong it was, you wouldn’t have done it in the first place.”
She had no comeback. She knew he was right to be infuriated with her deception and sneakiness and everything else. Kallie knew she had no right to take his property, a script that was meant for him, and then pretend she spoke on his behalf after he told her that he wasn’t interested in pursuing it.
“What’s next?” she asked. “Do you want me to leave—go back to Nicole and Red’s house?”
“How can you leave?” Hunter asked. “Max Weisman’s your contact, not mine.
He’ll be expecting you at the meeting. No, you set this whole thing up and you’re going to keep following through with it, to the bitter end.” He sat down on the couch beside her, handed her his phone.
“What’s this for?”
“We need to call Bryson Taylor and tell him the good news.”
“Oh. Okay.” She found the number in Hunter’s “recent calls” log and hit send.
“Put it on speaker,” Hunter told her, his voice commanding.
When Bryson answered, Kallie spoke with a nervous twinge in her voice.
“Bryson, it’s Kallie Young.”
“Hey, Kallie!” he replied cheerfully.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “You’re on speaker, Bryson. This is Hunter Reardon, by the way.”
“Oh, man,” Bryson said. “I guess this is either really good news, or really bad news.”
Hunter smirked. “It could be very good news, Bryson, but nothing’s set in stone just yet. However, we’re calling to let you know that Max Weisman of Weisman Productions is very interested in your screenplay.”
“Max Weisman? Are you serious?”
Hunter made another face. “Yes. I don’t often take valuable time out of my day to call up strangers and play jokes.”
“Right. I understand. It’s just—Max Weisman is like a dream producer.”
“It’s a nice situation to be in, Bryson, I grant you that,” Hunter replied, leaning forward towards the phone. “In any case, he wants to meet with our team tomorrow in L.A. I’d like you to join us if you can.”
There was a long pause on the other line. “That would be amazing. I’d quit my job to be there.”
“I hope you don’t have to,” Hunter said.
“Now, as far as the meeting goes,” Bryson said, “what kinds of things will we be discussing?”
“I’m assuming Max will be interested in seeing if we can work together, what our vision is for the script, that sort of thing. So make sure you wear a nice suit, clean up, and be charming. Do not—I repeat—do not be difficult. Your job is to make it seem like you’d be a joy to work with. Got it?”
“I clean up pretty good, Mister Reardon.”
“Perfect.”
“Now, in terms of my role—“
“Let’s not worry about anything else right now,” Hunter said. “We can strategize more tomorrow. Let’s meet up early outside his offices so we have a chance to talk over any last minute thoughts or questions.”
“Okay, because I was thinking—“ Bryson started.
“Don’t think now. Save it for tomorrow. Meet us outside his production office building at one-thirty. Okay?”
“Yes. Sure thing.”
Hunter clicked hang up on the cell phone and put it back in his pocket before Kallie could say goodbye. He looked at her. “And that’s how we handle the talent.”
“Like they’re high school students.”
“Yup. Most of them think at an eighth-grade level.”
“I don’t believe that,” she said.
“Believe what you want.” He stood up. “I’m going to book our flights to L.A.
now. You should go upstairs and start packing.”
“You sound so official.”
“Well, this is business. You wanted in, and now you’re in. This is how I handle things in my profession.”
“Sure. I understand.” She nodded.
Hunter suddenly kneeled down and kissed her. The passion in his lips was a surprise, and Kallie found her own reaction to be even more of a shock. She began kissing him back, just as urgently. She wanted him with total and utter desperation.
They hadn’t been together in days. “Fuck me,” she whispered, as he kissed down her neck.
Abruptly, Hunter pulled away. “No. Not now. Not like this,” he told her.
“Why not?” she gasped.
“Don’t question my decisions,” he said, his voice getting that harsh edge again.
“Okay.”
“I’m serious, Kallie. You need to start respecting me, or there will be consequences.”
She smiled. “Consequences? What am I, five years old?”
“You’re acting like it.” He shook his head. “I’m going to book those flights now.”
***
The next hours were a blur. There was a lot to get done. They had to shower, pack, book a hotel room, flights and a rental car, drive to the airport.
Kallie was completely exhausted by the time they arrived at T. F. Green Airport.
As they sat waiting at the gate to board the plane to L.A., her new phone rang. She looked at the number as Hunter gave her a suspicious glance.
“Who is that?” he asked.
“I think it’s my brother, Sean,” she said.
“Are you going to answer it or not?”
“I don’t know.”
“You should answer it,” Hunter replied, closing his eyes and laying his head back against the wall behind his chair.
“Shit. I know, you’re right.” But somehow she had a feeling she was going to regret opening this can of worms. Still, she put the phone to her ear despite her misgivings. “Hi, Sean.”
“Mom told me everything,” he said, as if they’d only just spoken moments ago.
Kallie sighed, as Hunter opened one eye and then closed it again, adjusting his head to get more comfortable.
“Sean, I’m fine. I’m sorry if she worried you—you know how Mom gets sometimes.”
“I’m not buying it,” he replied.
“What aren’t you buying?”
“She said you’re staying with that guy.”
“His name is Hunter.”
“I don’t care what his name is, to be honest. I don’t like him.”
“I can’t imagine why I didn’t call you sooner,” she said, laughing with frustration.
“You didn’t call me. I called you, remember?”
“Sean, please.”
“I’m flying into New York to see you.”
She took a deep breath, told herself to stay calm. “When are you doing that?”
“Right away. Tomorrow.”
“I’m not going to be in the New York area tomorrow. I’m actually about to get on a flight to L.A. as we speak.”
There was a long pause. “Fine,” he said. “Then I’ll meet you in L.A. tomorrow.”
“Sean, no. I’m going on a business trip—“
“What kind of business, Kallie? You’re a nanny.”
“It’s complicated. Look, I’ll explain it—“
“Tomorrow. You can explain it tomorrow when I see you.”
She looked at Hunter, who simply smirked and shrugged. He wasn’t going to be of any help. “Listen, Sean. You need to back off. I’m an adult. I’m not your baby sister anymore.”
“You’re my sister, and I’m going to make sure you’re all right.” He softened his tone somewhat. “Look, Mom wants me to do this too. Just meet me for lunch or a drink or something. You can give me an hour out of your hectic schedule, can’t you?”
“An hour? That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
“And you promise not to start any trouble with Hunter?”
He let out a deep sigh. “Sure. Sure. I just want to see you and talk to you for a minute, face-to-face. Okay, Kallie?”
“Fine, Sean. We’re staying in West Hollywood, so if you get a hotel in the area, I’m sure we can find a time later in the afternoon or early evening to meet up for a drink or dinner.”
Not long after that, she was off the phone and Hunter was still laying his head back, eyes closed. She could tell he was awake, though, from the set of his jaw and the tension in his face.
“You told me to answer it,” she said, whining a little.
“Hey, I couldn’t care less if your obnoxious brother meets us for a drink.”
“What a nightmare,” she groaned.
Hunter opened his eyes. “Look, it’s fine. Hopefully we’ll be celebrating after our successful meeting with Max Weisman, okay?”
“Yeah.” She smiled gratefully.
He took her hand and squeezed it. “Now relax and try and enjoy this new experience. It’s not everyday you get to go to Hollywood and make movies.”
***
The flight was uneventful, and they got to their hotel that morning and collapsed into bed for a deep, if short, sleep.
When Kallie awoke just a couple of hours later, Hunter was already in the shower.
He came out with a white towel around his waist, water beads glistening on his skin.
“You awake?” he said, clapping his hands together. “Time’s a-wastin’.” He went to the closet and grabbed his suit off its hanger, and started back toward the bathroom.
“I’m awake,” she replied, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and sitting up in bed.
She stood hesitantly on her feet and checked out her ankle. She still hadn’t been back to the doctor’s office for her checkup, but she could tell that the ankle was almost healed. “I don’t think I need my crutches, if I’m careful,” she said.
Hunter looked back at her over his shoulder. “I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
“I’m fine. I was on crutches a day or two longer than I really needed to be. I swear, I’m okay. Just don’t make me run sprints and I’ll be a-okay.”
“You know I like to run wind sprints before a big meeting, Kallie,” he joked.
“I had no idea.” She smiled, liking this new side of Hunter (how many sides did he have, anyhow?). He was jokey, good-humored and energetic. It was obvious that he enjoyed the movie business a heck of a lot more than writing books in his little cave.
A few minutes later, he came out of the bathroom looking spiffy, fixing his tie, his hair gelled, face clean-shaven, suit immaculate.
“Your turn,” he told her.
They’d packed one of the dresses she’d picked up on her wild spending spree some time ago. Kallie showered and put on her makeup, her dress and a pair of comfortable heels. Testing her ankle, she found that there was almost no pain at all, and it simply felt a tiny bit weak and unsteady as she walked. But after a few minutes, she hardly even noticed that.
“You look fantastic,” he told her, when she emerged from the bathroom.
She did a little turn and smiled, batting her eyelashes playfully at him. He walked closer.
“We make a dashing couple, don’t you think?” she asked.
“If we had just a little more time, you have no idea what I’d do to you.”