Long-Distance Love: The Love Series, #7
By Emma Keene
4.5/5
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About this ebook
This is Part Seven of The Love Series
Amy is staying busy on the set of her new film, Day One, but she can’t help thinking about Spencer. She agreed they should focus on their work, but she had no idea how hard it would be to be apart for such a long period of time.
Dex asks Amy to go on The Latest Show to promote their film. It starts out just fine, but quickly goes south when the host, Vince Brody, brings up something personal and he won’t drop it.
Amy’s mom is arrested, again. This time, however, it isn’t as simple as bailing her out.
Jarvis Green, her co-star in Day One, starts to shape up and everything is going smoothly on set… until there’s an accident that threatens to delay the whole film.
Emma Keene
I live in beautiful Seattle, WA with my amazing, supportive husband and our two German Shepherds that truly believe it's all about them. I love the rain and it gives me plenty of time to read and write. Visit emmakeene.com to find out more about Emma or to join her mailing list.
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6 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love the way the characters interact. It had just enough cheese but not too much
Book preview
Long-Distance Love - Emma Keene
1
Iroll over in bed and grab my phone to check the time. A few minutes past nine. Crazy… I’m surprised I was able to sleep in this late, even though I feel like I could fall back asleep for a few hours. It must be the result of working my butt off on the set of Day One . The shoot would be easier if I had run every morning in Chicago, but I blew it off in favor of studying my script.
It takes me a few minutes to get out of bed, my body and muscles beg for just a little more rest. I put on some sweats and a T-shirt before heading out into the hall to find Rose. Her door is open a few inches and I knock gently, not wanting to wake her if she’s still sleeping.
Come in,
she says.
I push the door the rest of the way open and smile as she stands up from the bed.
How’d you sleep?
I ask.
Pretty good, actually. You?
Good… still tired.
Rose glances down at her phone and then slips it into her pocket.
Are you hungry?
I ask.
Yes.
Come with me.
I smile and head toward the stairs. I glance over my shoulder to make sure Rose is still following me. The smell of food reaches me as my feet touch the floor of the ground level. My stomach gurgles in anticipation of Gina’s cooking, which is one of the things I’ve really missed since I moved out. We ended up skipping dinner last night, Dex ended up flying to San Francisco yesterday and didn’t end up coming home. I was eager to sleep, anyway, so I just had a piece of toast.
Gina turns around as we walk into the kitchen.
Ms. Amy… it’s so nice to have you back.
Thanks… it’s good to be here.
Rose and I sit down at the table. She takes out her phone and I turn my attention to Gina as she walks up to the table.
Any requests?
No… whatever is fine.
Are you sure?
Yes,
I say, thanks.
What about to drink?
Gina asks.
I guess… tea. Rose?
Just water… thanks.
Gina nods, turns around and heads over to the stove to make our breakfast. Rose puts her phone back in her pocket and sighs.
Is everything okay?
I ask.
Yeah… it’s all good.
I can tell by the look on her face that something is bothering her, but I’m not going to pressure her… not after everything she went through getting here. It’s still so crazy to think that she was robbed and had to work at a motel just to make enough money to get here. I’m not so sure I’d have been able to do that. I probably would have broken down and called anyone… even my mom, but I admire Rose for wanting to distance herself from her unsupportive parents and to make a new life for herself.
Are you ready for your audition?
Not really,
Rose says.
Is there anything I can do to help get you ready?
No, not really… but thanks.
Are you sure?
Yeah. I know the script… I’m just nervous about it, that’s all.
I lean back in my chair as Gina sets tea down in front of me and a bottle of water in front of Rose. I wrap my fingers around the steaming cup and let it warm my hands.
I know what you mean,
I say. I was pretty nervous for my first audition… and I’ve been nervous every time I’ve auditioned since then. I’m not the best person to ask, but I have a feeling it’s one of those things that might not change… we might always be nervous for an audition, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
You’re right. Being this nervous has prompted me to focus on memorizing the lines and I’ve been practicing them endlessly.
That’s exactly what I mean. If you weren’t nervous, you might not spend as much time preparing and it could end up hurting your chances.
Gina walks back to the table and sets down a plate in front of each of us—scrambled eggs, bacon and a slice of wheat toast with jam. Nothing over the top, but her food always seems to taste better than anything I can make for myself, even when using the same exact ingredients.
Thanks, Gina,
I say.
She smiles and nods before turning and walking toward the sink. I pick up the toast and take a bite, savoring the sweet jam as I chew.
Neither of us speaks for the ten minutes, our entire focus consumed by the food in front of us. Gina steps up to the table and takes away our dishes the moment we’re done eating.
Thank you for breakfast,
Rose says.
You’re very welcome.
Thanks,
I say, smiling at Gina.
We stand up from the table and start to climb the stairs.
When do you want to leave for your audition?
I ask.
Like forty-five minutes? Is that okay?
Of course. I’m just going to go for a quick swim… unless you need help running through your lines again.
No… I think I’m good, but thanks.
I nod and smile at Rose as she walks toward her room. I’m proud of her… and glad that she’s here. It’s hard to be so far away from Spencer and no longer have a relationship with my mom, but I know staying with Dex and having Rose, too, will make it a little bit easier.
I head into my room, change into my swimsuit and grab a towel. I pause at the top of the stairs and I can hear Rose running through her lines, which puts a smile on my face. Getting the part will be great for the start of her career here in Hollywood… and it’ll go a long way to proving to her mother that moving out here to act wasn’t some foolish endeavor.
I’m still smiling as I head outside into the backyard and drop my towel on one of the chairs. It’s been a while since I went swimming, but today it feels like a better alternative to going for a run. One of the best things about it, as far as I’m concerned, is that it’s possible to stop the moment I get tired… but if I’m running and start to feel that way, I have to make it home.
My thoughts drift back to Jarvis and our confrontation, as I swim. It dawns on me that maybe I was a little rough on him. I really don’t know that much about him, just what people on set have told me. He just seems like an immature kid, more than anything, which is surely the result of how he was raised. I hope that what I did will prompt him to get his act together and take the film more seriously because I really care about helping Harriet to make an amazing film.
The idea that someone wouldn’t be excited to make a film like Day One just blows my mind. I guess moving forward I’ll need to be more selective with roles I choose and who is cast opposite of me. I suppose it would make sense for me to call my agent, Brian, and tell him that… it’s why I pay him a chunk of my salary each time I land a role.
I could have tolerated Jarvis for the entirety of our filming schedule, it wouldn’t have been easy, but I could have done it. I lost it when he started to badmouth Harriet. She might not be the easiest director to work for, the days are long, she pushes us to our physical limits… and that’s why she’s so good at what she does. Harriet is a good director and she deserves to have actors that want to be in her films, not punk kids that take the opportunity for granted.
My legs are starting to get tired, so I decide to call it quits. I could keep going, but I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be another long day on set and I don’t want to be worn out. I walk inside as I dry myself off and head up to my room. We need to leave in fifteen minutes, but I really want to take a quick shower to wash off the chemicals from the pool.
We need to leave in five minutes by the time I get out of the shower. I throw on some yoga pants, a T-shirt and my running shoes. It’s not a great look, but I don’t want to take the time to find something nicer to wear since all I’m doing is taking Rose to her audition… it’s not like anyone is going to see me and I can’t be the reason she’s not there on time. Rose is already standing next to the front door when I head downstairs.
Ready?
I ask.
Yes.
We’re heading out, Gina… see you later.
Miss Amy?
Rose walks outside and I wait for Gina as she walks toward me from the kitchen.
Yeah?
I spoke to Mr. Baldwin… while you were swimming.
Oh?
Yes… he was wondering if you wanted to join him for dinner.
Thanks,
I say. I’ll call him in a few minutes.
She nods and smiles before walking back toward the kitchen. I walk outside, pull the door closed behind myself and get in the car.
How are you feeling?
I ask, as I start my car and wait for the gate to open.
Okay… I guess.
Nervous?
Yes.
You’ll do fine.
I hope you’re right.
I pull through the gate and stop to make sure that it closes behind us before driving away.
Where’s your audition?
I ask.
Excelsior Studios… do you know it?
Yes… I’ve driven by it before.
I pause for a moment as I think about the best way to get there. I’m still getting used to driving myself anywhere… I have a new appreciation for remembering where things are because it seems totally different than being a passenger who doesn’t even really need to pay attention to street names and landmarks. I turn out of the driveway and head toward Santa Monica Blvd… it should be the fastest route.
So, what’s this film about?
It’s just sort of a high school movie… about a girl and boys, you know… that kind of typical stuff.
Nice… that sounds like it could be fun.
That’s what I think,
Rose says, it’s not super serious… but it shouldn’t be that hard… assuming I get the role.
I smile and nod as I turn my attention back to the road. Rose is being humble—she’s better at acting than she gives herself credit for. Just by what I saw firsthand, when we worked together in Chicago, I have a feeling she going to have no problem getting work. I think about telling her that, but I don’t want to build her up too much in case she doesn’t get the part… and I’m new enough to Hollywood that it’s possible my assessment of her is way off.
I put on my turn signal and pull into the parking lot at Excelsior Studios. Rose closes her eyes and I can see her lips moving as she gives herself a last minute pep talk. She opens her eyes, grabs her stuff and reaches for the door handle.
Do you want me to come?
I ask.
It’s up to you.
I shrug and get out of the car. I’m sure Rose could use the company while she waits. I’m dressed like a bum, but it’s not as if I’m going to see anyone that I know.
We walk through the glass sliding doors and into the lobby of the studio. There’s a dozen chairs to the left and straight in front of us is a large desk dwarfing the girl sitting behind it. I motion toward the chairs and Rose nods before continuing toward the desk. There’s two open chairs on the end closest to me, so I sit down and put my purse on the other chair to save it. Girls dressed to the nines and holding copies of the script occupy all the rest. I check out her competition, but I don’t recognize any of the girls… which doesn’t mean much. I’m a little surprised that there’s this many girls here to audition for the part. The way Rose was talking about it I figured she might be up against one or two other girls… not ten.
I move my purse and take out my phone as Rose walks over. She sits down next to me and turns her head.
What?
I… I didn’t realize there’d be so many other girls,
she says, doing her best to whisper.
You’ll be fine… don’t even worry.
She nods and smiles. I’d be freaking out if I was in her place, but I don’t want to contribute to her stress. Rose takes the script out of her purse and starts to read feverishly as she crams like a kid studying for an important exam. I write out a text to Dex and hit send.
Hey, I talked to Gina and she said that you wanted to have dinner tonight. I’m at an audition with Rose right now, but I don’t have any plans for the rest of the day. Do you mind if I bring her to dinner? She doesn’t have any friends or anything, so I would feel bad about leaving her at your house.
A door opens on the far side of a room and a middle-aged woman wielding a clipboard steps out and walks toward us.
Tammy Brown?
A girl sitting in the middle of the group stands up and walks toward the woman. They walk through the door and it closes as swiftly as it opened. My phone vibrates in my hand and I look down to read the message from Dex.
Of course you can bring Rose! I figured that was kind of a given… and I’d like to meet her. I should be back in town around four… how about dinner at six?
The sound of the door opening again reaches us and I look up. The girl, Tammy, walks through as tears roll down her face. She wipes them away with the back of her hand as she heads for the door. I glance over at Rose, with the hope she is distracted by her script… but her eyes are locked on the devastated girl. Rose turns and looks at me, her eyes wide with fear.
Don’t worry about that,
I say.
She just blinks a few times and then slowly nods.
Yeah.
Hey… listen. My first audition… the one for the movie I did with Spencer and Dex… no one was good enough. They kept nixing every single that auditioned and many tears were shed that day. It’s a part of this business.
Thanks… you’re right.
I smile and nod. She still looks petrified, but I hope that my words offered some encouragement. I’d be shocked if she wasn’t nervous… it would be good enough if what I said just took the edge off and allowed her to focus on delivering a good audition.
My eyes dart back to the door as it opens and the woman comes out again. She glances down at her clipboard and then looks over at the girls, all of whom are now just waiting for her to call their name.
Rose… Ellison.
Rose blinks a few times before she finally stands up and starts to walk toward the woman. She turns around and gives me a halfhearted smile before walking into the adjoining room. I have faith she’ll do well. I’m not sure what I could’ve done to help her prepare… I just wish there was something.
I look down at my phone and write out a text to Dex before hitting send.
Sounds great, looking forward to seeing you. Did you have a restaurant in mind so we can meet you there?
There’s no response from Dex after a couple of minutes, which isn’t all that surprising. I’m sure he’s hard at work doing something. I’ll just call him later if we don’t cross paths at the house before meeting for dinner.
I decide to text Spencer, to let him know that we’re staying with Dex.
Hey, just wanted to let you know we stayed at Dex’s last night and we are just going to stay there for a while… at least until this whole thing with my mom gets resolved. He was gone, but it’s still nice to be there. I love your house, but it’s weird to be there when you’re gone. I’m sure you think that probably sounds strange. We’re having dinner with Dex later, but I’ll be around for the rest of the day. Hope everything is good with you… Love you.
I sigh and smile as I look up from my phone. It’s hard to be away from Spencer for this long… it’s almost unbearable. The only thing keeping me from losing it is I know we’re both staying busy with work and that right now he’s getting the chance to do something special as the takes on the role of a lifetime. It sounds so cliché when I think about it… but it’s the truth—there’s been a buzz for months in Hollywood about Pandora. The general consensus is that it’s going to be amazing and it’s going to vault his career into another dimension. I shudder at the thought of how being in public is going to be if that’s what happens, but it’s worth it—he has the chance to do something truly special and he deserves it for how hard he works.
My phone vibrates to announce the arrival of a response from Spencer. I smile as I read the text.
Hi. I’m glad you’re staying with Dex… I was really worried that your mom might show up again. It’s wonderful to hear from you and I’m glad you’re getting a chance to hang out with Dex considering you both have such crazy schedules. I’m