Page 53 of Give Me a Reason

Anne glanced at him from beneath her lashes and smiled. His answering grin was so swift and broad that she chuckled, tucking her chin to her chest. There was something guileless about him that she liked.

“Your enthusiasm for the project is more than a little contagious, Andrew,” Meredith said in even, measured tones.

But she caught Anne’s gaze and conveyed an excited squeal via her toothy smile and raised eyebrows.

She turned back to the director and glanced at her watch.

“I don’t want to keep you too long. I know you’re a busy man. ”

“It was a pleasure formally meeting you, Anne.” Andrew rose to his feet at the hint and shook hands with both of them. “And, Meredith, don’t be a stranger.”

Andrew left the café first with Anne and Meredith following a few steps behind. He turned to wave a final goodbye before rounding the corner at the end of the block. He was refreshingly down-to-earth for someone so famous.

Meredith turned to Anne with a teasing smirk. “I sense some mutual admiration going on there.”

“We’ve only just met.” Anne lowered her lashes. “But I have to admit, he is quite charming.”

“And hot as hell,” her friend drawled.

“Yes.” Anne laughed. “There’s that, too.”

“But if you get this role, you’ll be working closely with him.” Meredith’s brows furrowed over her eyes. “I heard he was professional and respectful toward the actors, as well as the crew, but I’m worried you might feel uncomfortable, knowing he’s so into you.”

“I don’t know about so into me,” Anne said with a cheeky grin. “But I’ve been in this business for a long time. I know how to take care of myself.”

“Even so, please don’t feel obliged to me.” Meredith placed her hand on Anne’s arm. “Take your time to consider their offer before accepting it. I’ll support you either way.”

“I haven’t even gotten an offer yet.” Anne crinkled her nose, not wanting to assume too much.

“Oh, you’ll get the offer,” Meredith said with enough confidence for both of them. “In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted on the audition, so you’ll have time to prepare for it.”

“Whatever happens, you and I make a great team.” Anne stuck out her hand.

“Damn right, girl.” Meredith gave her a firm handshake. “Hollywood won’t know what hit them.”

They squealed, laughed, and hugged each other before Meredith hurried to her car for her next meeting. Anne took a deep breath even as she smiled broadly, both nervous and giddy. She couldn’t quite believe this was happening.

Was she really doing this? Yes. This was the right choice. She felt lighter than she had in years, yet more grounded… more alive. This was her choice.

“Anne.” Andrew hurried down the street toward her.

“Andrew?” She frowned. “Did you forget something at the café?”

“As it happens, I did.” He grinned, dimples appearing in his cheeks. He really was too handsome for his own good. “I forgot to give you my number.”

“Oh.” She blinked in surprise.

“No pressure.” He raised his hands. “You absolutely do not need to reach out to me. But”—his dimples reappeared—“if you want to, I’ll be waiting with bated breath.”

“You really shouldn’t hold your breath,” Anne half joked, accepting his business card.

“Nevertheless.” Andrew gestured toward the card. “My cell phone number is on the back.”

Anne glanced down at the slanted numbers scrawled across the back of the card. It was so different from Frederick’s strong but elegant handwriting—half print, half cursive.

What does that have to do with anything?

Frederick invaded her thoughts at the most inconvenient times. But she realized with a jolt that she hadn’t thought about him for nearly an hour. That was the longest she’d gone—by far—without thinking about him and Bosque Verde.

She looked up at Andrew, then back down at his business card. In more ways than one, Andrew Cha and this film could be really good for her. If she allowed herself to open up to… possibilities, she might finally be able to move on from the past.

Frederick certainly seemed to have moved on with Bethany. Why else wouldn’t he have at least texted her? His silence confirmed her suspicions—he’d only needed a warm body that night. And she was okay with that. At least, she would be soon.

When she met Andrew’s wide, besotted eyes, he snapped his gaping mouth shut. Fighting back a smile, she said, “I wouldn’t want to do anything that would influence your decision on the casting.”

“And I wouldn’t let anything —even someone as extraordinary as you—influence my work.” He didn’t shy away from her gaze. “My work is my life. I would never compromise my very soul. I meant what I said about you being perfect for the role of Elizabeth Bennet.”

“I believe you.” And she did. Pinching his business card between her fingers, she lightly saluted him. “It was nice to formally meet you, Breadstick Guy.”

Anne walked away from him, feeling his warm laughter and appreciative gaze following her. When she got to her car, she smiled down at Andrew’s business card and tucked it into her purse for safekeeping. She liked being the center of someone’s attention for a change.