Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“I’m telling you right now, this has all the makings of a Terminator-style classic.” He tapped his nose. “I can smell a hit.”
Arch, who usually laughed at Jay’s unwavering confidence, opened his eyes slightly wider. “Really?”
“Really.” He couldn’t explain how he did it, but it was a kind of superpower, being able to spot a hit. Of course, there was the odd fluke, but his track record was remarkable. And his gut was telling him that he and Arch were both going to make a nice chunk of change when the movie—and its sequels—went on to become legendary. As he liked to tell anybody who’d listen, especially his clients, that was why he got paid the big bucks.
Arch looked thoughtful. “What about this biopic of Herschel Greenfield? You think that’s going to be a hit too?”
He was less sure of this one. But he knew one thing—the story needed to be told. “When I first saw Herschel Greenfield at Tessa’s art show, there was something about the guy. He’s a real American hero, but he’s humble too. The guy’s seen things that only a handful of people will ever get to see or experience. He nearly died coming back to Earth. And it’s not fiction, it’s real.”
Arch nodded slowly. “I think the heart of the film is his honesty about being afraid to get back in the water. And how learning to surf helped him overcome that.”
Jay absolutely agreed. “And the fact that you can surf makes you the perfect person to play him.”
“Plus, I have easy access since he lives nearby and is crazy in love with my sister. Also, I genuinely like and respect him. He’s brilliant, but never shows off, and his fitness is off the charts. Do you know how many Iron Man competitions he’s done?”
Jay grinned. He was thrilled that Arch and Hersch were getting on so well. It would make it much easier for Arch to take on the part. He was probably picking up Hersch’s mannerisms and way of speaking without even realizing it. He doubted that the Herschel Greenfield biopic would ever become a massive hit, but it would be worthwhile, and definitely profitable.
When they’d finished the tour, Arch turned down coffee, which was pretty much all Jay had in the house, and said he had to get home. “It’s workout time.”
Jay walked him out and they clapped each other on the back. But as he was leaving, Arch said, “This is a great house you’ve got here, and I’m super happy to see you in the neighborhood.” He paused for a moment. “I’m sorry about Miss April. It would be nice to see you share this place with someone new.” Arch gave him a penetrating look. “Someone completely new.”
Jay gave a slightly forced laugh. “Copy that,” he said as he waved good-bye.
He knew what Arch was implying—that if he had any thoughts about making a move on his sister, then stop, pronto. But something about being told not to do something was enough to push Jay in the opposite direction. He did not like being told what to do.
As Jay closed the front door, he turned to take in his new house and found his mind returning to his childhood home. They’d barely had any possessions, but they always had a TV. His mom would pass out watching old romantic movies, but he’d sit there until the credits rolled. He’d fallen in love with movies when dreams were all he had. And now he was living the dream. But it wasn’t a dream, it was reality. And maybe, like those movies, the women who could pose for centerfolds or sell lingerie in fancy catalogs had been a dream too, and at the age of thirty-five, he was finally waking up. He didn’t want women he chose because of their looks and hot bodies. He wanted somebody real. Somebody he could talk to.
He liked the way Erin had challenged him today, the way she’d made assumptions about him—that he was shallow and incapable of reading a book all the way to the end. He wanted to show her that there was more to him. Frankly, he’d never had to try very hard with women. Now, he realized he didn’t want that anymore. He wanted someone like Erin.
He closed his eyes briefly. Someone like Erin, someone completely new, he reminded himself, even as deep inside a little voice suggested that maybe the woman he really wanted was Erin.
And didn’t that make his life a whole lot more complicated?
Chapter Four
Erin had stayed much longer than she’d intended to at Jay’s and now she had to hurry if she was going to pick up her dog Boswell and get to work on time. She followed a fairly loose schedule, as she was often out reporting on events or talking to the local residents, so she tended to come and go as she pleased, making sure she hit all her deadlines.