Page 10 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

T he next morning, Roo ambled into the dining room to see that Georgia was already there, scribbling in a notebook. He watched her for a moment before saying, “You beat me.”

She looked up and smiled. “I did get a jump start since you were still lifting weights after my run.”

“Ah, yes,” he said, taking the seat opposite her. “I also confess to indulging in a long, hot shower. Something had me a bit giddy this morning, and I found myself humming in the shower.”

“I didn’t know you Englishmen got giddy, stiff upper lip and all.”

“Perhaps my new American friend has brought it out of me,” he replied with a smile. He paused before adding, “I like starting the day with you, spending time with you. Well, I just like you.”

“I like you too,” she said. They were silent for a moment before Georgia gestured to the pot in the center of the table, “Uh, there’s plenty of tea.”

“Thank you,” he said, topping hers off and then pouring himself a cup. “Have I disturbed you?” he asked, glancing at her notebook.

“Not at all,” she assured him, pushing it aside. “I’ve been journaling since I was a kid. I try to write every day, but time got away from me yesterday.”

“That’s a wonderful habit. Do you use it for reflection or to document your life?”

“Both, really. When I was a kid, I had such big dreams. I’d write them down.

Guess I thought it made them more real. As I got older, it became more of a way to chronicle my life.

The theater productions I’ve done, films, travel.

I’m the kind of person who always wants to live in the moment, but I guess . . .” She trailed off.

“What?” Roo asked, gazing at her with his warm eyes.

“I want to remember too.”

They were smiling at each other when ástríeur came to take their breakfast order.

“Good morning. What can I get you both?” she asked.

“Good morning. Yogurt and berries again, please,” Georgia replied.

“Two eggs, toast, and jam, please,” Roo said.

After she left, Roo said, “For two adventure seekers, we are also creatures of habit, I suppose. Anyway, you were saying that you like to capture your experiences. Do you ever intend to do anything with your journals, such as writing a memoir?”

“Oh, I don’t think so. What about you? Do you write at all?”

“Well, yes. I don’t think I’ve dared to say it aloud before, but I write scripts. Plays, films. I have several drafted, and bits of many more. Something to keep me busy in my trailer and on days off.”

“That’s so cool,” Georgia said. “Why keep that to yourself?”

“Well, it’s a little tough walking the same path as my parents.

As an actor, I’m constantly compared to my mother.

I always understood that would be the case, and I have no hard feelings.

I realize my name has opened more doors than it’s closed.

But that sort of scrutiny can be a lot. My writing feels so personal to me.

I think perhaps it’s my true calling. My father’s such a successful playwright.

To go down that road of comparison again, well, I’m just not ready for it. I’m sure you know how it is.”

“I do,” she said compassionately. “Everyone looks at me as Finn Forrester’s daughter.

He’s the greatest dad in the world and I admire him so much as an actor, but I want to make my own mark too, be my own person, create my own body of work, my own artistic legacy.

I try to focus on the positives, though.

I’ve learned so much about storytelling and the business from him.

” She brushed a stray curl away from her eyes and quietly said, “Roo . . .”

“Yes?”

“I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but don’t let other people stop you from being yourself.

Write your scripts. When you’re ready, try to get them produced.

Make your mark as a playwright if that’s what you love.

Besides, it’s smart for actors to create projects for themselves.

It will help you captain your own ship, however you choose. ”

“I think that’s just what I needed to hear. Thank you.” She smiled and he continued, “Do you ever write any material for yourself, you know, an acting role?”

“No. But I do write . . .” Georgia stopped herself and looked down.

“Please, tell me.”

“Songs,” she said, looking into his eyes. “I write songs about stuff I’m going through.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I bring an acoustic guitar with me everywhere. It’s in my room. I’m not very good, but I can play enough to accompany myself.”

“Do you ever want to . . .”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s just a personal creative outlet, like my journals, but artistic. I’m definitely an actress. No plans to become an actor-turned-singer. It’s something that’s just for me.”

“How special to have that for yourself.”

“Thanks. Most people have the impression that I don’t want to do anything that doesn’t get me some kind of attention.

I mean, I’ve never shied away from public life.

Pursued acting relentlessly. The spotlight.

Couldn’t wait to walk my first red carpet.

But I have a private side too, and I think it’s good to keep that. ”

“You know, I was really looking forward to working with you,” he said.

“You were?”

Roo nodded. “You’re far more spectacular than I could have imagined. Full of surprises in the most extraordinary way.”

Georgia looked down, blushing. “You’re surprising too, in the most extraordinary way.”

“That may be the best compliment I’ve ever received, coming from you.”

She leaned forward and put her hand on the table. He reached out, but before they made contact, ástríeur came in to deliver their food and they slunk back into their seats.

“ARE YOU UP FOR ANOTHER MOVIE NIGHT?” Roo asked Georgia after dinner.

“Absolutely,” she replied, and they moseyed to the living room.

“You pick this time,” he said.

“How about we take turns?”

“Deal. So, what are we in for tonight?” he asked, taking a seat on the couch.

Georgia scanned the selection. “Ooh, they have Breakfast at Tiffany’s . It’s my favorite.”

“Then let’s watch.”

“How about we save it?” She continued surveying the selection. “Seems they have a bunch of Audrey Hepburn’s films. There’s Roman Holiday , which could be a nice escape. But if you prefer something else . . .”

“I’d love to watch it with you. I have a fondness for the classics, and anything with a good setting.”

Georgia smiled, put on the DVD, and curled up on the couch.

They sat quietly enjoying the movie, giggling and glancing at each other at the exact same moments. When it ended, Georgia said, “Thanks for indulging me.”

“My pleasure. That was fun. Makes me want to visit Rome again.”

“Oh, me too. They must have had an amazing time filming that.”

“Indeed. Benefit of being an actor,” he replied. “Location shoots are few and far between these days, but there’s nothing like it for the cast, and you can see and feel the difference in the films.”

“I think so too.”

“I know you’re a road dog by nature, but perhaps location shoots are even more special to you because of your family history.

I mean, you descend from one of the most famous, talked-about film shoots of all time.

My mother says that while on-set love affairs have a reputation for fizzling quickly, she knew your parents would last a lifetime. ”

Georgia smiled. “They’re a total fairy tale. It’s kind of crazy. I guess they were perfect from the start. It’s . . .” She stopped and looked down.

“What?” he asked sweetly.

She looked into his eyes and said, “It’s kind of intense, thinking about how their love story is intertwined with film history and with this real-life movie moment on a red carpet in front of the world.

It’s hard to explain, but it’s kind of like living in a myth or something, but it’s real, as impossible as that may seem. ”

Roo smiled. “Yes, I can imagine it’s a mind trip, perhaps more so for you as an actress yourself.”

“Yeah. Of course, my parents’ story isn’t the typical Hollywood tale. After all, my mother isn’t in the business. It was just chance that she was there when they were filming, thanks to her friendship with Jean.”

“Remarkable how much in life happens by chance. Or perhaps it’s fate.”

They sat for a moment, comfortably looking at each other before Georgia said, “So, we’ll be doing one of our big scenes tomorrow. Are you nervous?”

He shook his head. “We’ll get through it together. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.” Another moment passed, their gazes locked before she added, “Well, we should probably get some rest.”

“Indeed. I’ll walk you up.”

“Roo, this morning when you said you like spending time with me . . .”

“Yes?”

“I just want you to know how much I like spending time with you too.”

Roo smiled. “Thank you for both a wonderful start and a wonderful end to my day. Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

“LISTEN UP!” JEAN CALLED, AND EVERYONE settled down.

“This is an extremely intimate scene. There’s the growing, palpable desire between Rupert’s and Georgia’s characters, but also the revealing nature of the documents they are sorting, and then the look on his face when Michael’s character eavesdrops.

Without any touching, it will all be in your expressions and tone of voice. Be delicate. Places, everyone.”

The actors scampered to their marks. Georgia and Roo were seated on the floor with stacks of papers in front of them and several cardboard boxes scattered about. Michael was out of the camera’s eye, waiting to walk to the door.

“Rolling . . . Action!”

Roo and Georgia began sorting through documents, and with the piles around them, it looked as though they had been at it for some time.

“When he hired me to write his memoir, I didn’t quite know what I was in for.”

“Yeah, it’s hard to believe how many notes and clippings he kept,” she said.

“Well, sure, but I was referring to his . . .”

“What?” she asked, pausing to look at him.

“He’s a bit gruff and demanding. Always seems angry, or at least unhappy.

Perhaps except for when you’re around. You have such a gentle way.

It seems to transform him from a lion to a puppy.

He’s softer when you’re here.” The corners of her mouth curled upward ever so slightly, and he added, “I can hardly blame him. It seems impossible not to be in better spirits near you.”

Her smile grew modestly as their gazes held each other. After a moment passed, she returned her attention to the papers. “I’m glad to bring him some comfort, take care of him. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it is, well . . .”

“Preparing to die?” he said.

She nodded. “I find it a bit strange he left his home, came here to the middle of nowhere, and now we’re the only two people in his life.

Seems like a time when most would want to be with their loved ones.

It’s so beautiful here, but it’s like he slunk off to die all alone.

” She stopped and shook her head. “I guess it just makes me a bit sad for him.”

“In the literary world, he has a reputation for being a notorious reclusive. If it helps, I think this is very much in line with how he has lived.”

“I’ve never read his work. Do you admire him?” she asked.

“Immensely. He’s an extraordinary writer.

Brave. Unapologetic. He really pushed the envelope with narrative structure, not to mention the subjects he’s written about.

He’s certainly not afraid of tragedy and suffering.

” He moved a pile of papers over and continued, “Of course, despite his enormous success, he’s always had detractors.

Critics have been bitterly divided. When he won the Pulitzer, there were protests.

Sometimes he courted the uproar, wearing the controversial label like a badge of honor, and other times he may have been a bit baffled or offended by it.

I think it’s exacerbated his volatile side and explains why he’s chosen to be so isolated. ”

Just then, Michael came to the doorway. Instead of stepping into the room, he stopped to listen.

“Why do you suppose he keeps all these negative reviews? Seems like something one would discard. There are piles of them, but none of the good ones nor any clippings about all the honors he’s received,” she remarked.

“I can’t say for certain. Perhaps he’s motivated by the criticisms. Or maybe it’s a marker to him of how wrong they’ve been, those who failed to recognize his genius. Or maybe he sees them with humor.”

“Or maybe part of him believes the bad stuff,” she suggested.

Michael squeezed his eyelids shut for a moment.

“If I was a betting man, I’d wager he’s not someone who wants to bask in the light. Perhaps some people are just more comfortable in the darkness.”

“Well, I hope I can help bring him into the light. For whatever time he has left,” she replied.

A soft smile crossed Michael’s face.

“Giselle . . .” Roo whispered.

“Yes,” she said, looking up into his eyes.

“I’ve never met anyone more filled with light and kindness than you. You’re extraordinary and he’s very lucky to have you. We both are.” They sat, their gazes locked, their bodies only centimeters apart. Eventually he stammered, “Uh, we should probably get back to it. Thank you for helping me.”

“It’s my pleasure,” she replied sweetly.

“Cut!” Jean hollered.

There was an immediate cacophony of noise from the crew. The actors convened to get notes.

“It’s a bloody miracle because that was damn perfect. I don’t want to lose our rhythm. Let’s do it again so we can capture it from different angles. Places,” Jean said.

Roo squeezed Georgia’s hand and whispered, “You were brilliant.”

“You were too. You made it easy,” she whispered in return.

“No talking!” Jean commanded.

Georgia and Roo exchanged a mischievous giggle and resumed their positions.

“Rolling . . . Action!”