Fade into Love

PROLOGUE

Wren Morrow’s fingers flew across the keyboard of her laptop computer. She’d never typed this fast before, never needed to. Never wanted to when she was only taking notes in class. But this was far more important than anything she’d learned in three and a half years of college.

Are you almost ready? Her roommate, Kristen, asked from the doorway of their dorm room. I don’t want to be late for class.

Almost. Give me a second. Wren didn’t look up from the screen. Kristen worried too much about being late. It wasn’t as if they had an exam. No, it was just another boring lecture on Medieval History. The whole semester so far was a never-ending string of boring lectures. Thank goodness she only had another year left after this one. Wren contemplated changing majors, but that would put her further behind, and she didn’t want to delay graduation. Besides, she had no idea what major she’d switch to. No matter what it was, it would probably be just as useless as History, anyway. Weren’t they all?

Everyone told her to go to college, get an education, earn a degree. Fine. That’s what she did, because it’s what was expected, but there were days when Wren wondered why. Would there be any good jobs available to her when she did graduate, or was she working toward a degree that would only end up being useless? It sure seemed like it sometimes.

She gave one last read-through to the information on the screen, making sure everything was the way she wanted it, then hit the ‘submit’ button. There. Done. Her fate was in someone else’s hands now. Wren never considered herself to be the lucky type. That last thing she recalled winning was a stuffed frog, who’d since lost an arm, at a street carnival back in seventh grade. Even that didn’t come easily. It took ten tries to pop a balloon with a dart, because her aim sucked. The frog was cute, though, up until he lost a limb.

No, Wren wasn’t the lucky sort, and she had no expectations of winning this sweepstakes prize. None at all. But she had nothing to lose by trying. There. Done. She slammed her MacBook shut before shoving it into her bag. And we’ll still be on time.

Maybe, Kristen said, if we run. At least it’s not snowing. What were you doing that was so important, anyway?

Entering a contest. Wren swung her backpack over her shoulder and pulled the door of their room shut behind them.

What? Like the lottery? Kristen asked as they walked. You realize no one ever wins those things, right?

Wren couldn’t contain her eye roll. Why did people always say that? "Of course they do. I know the odds aren’t great, but people do win, she said. Besides, this isn’t a lottery. It’s a sweepstakes. There’s a difference. A lottery ticket would’ve cost me money. This didn’t cost me anything to enter."

Fine. Sweepstakes, Kristen said. What kind of sweepstakes? What are you not going to win?

Wren zipped up her coat as they got outside. It might not be snowing, but it was Iowa in late January, and that meant bitter cold. You should have more faith. I might win, she insisted.  It’s a trip to Hollywood to visit the set of Jake Morrison’s new movie, and have a walk-on role. There was also a two thousand dollar cash prize, and Rodeo Drive shopping spree, but Wren was less concerned about that. Sure, it would be nice to have some spending money while she was in California, but she was far more interested in seeing the movie set, and hopefully meeting her favorite celebrity.

Oh, jeez. I should’ve known, Kristen said. You’re so infatuated with him.

No, I’m not, Wren said. Yes, Jake’s pictures might be hanging all over their dorm room, but Wren didn’t consider herself star struck. It wasn’t as if she spent her days fantasizing about marrying Jake. She knew he was married, and had a daughter, too. What was wrong with admiring his work, though? Especially since they shared the same hometown. After all, there weren’t too many people from Waterloo, Iowa, who made it big in Hollywood. I’ve never been to Los Angeles, and this would give me the chance to visit, and meet my favorite actor, too.

Sure, whatever. Wren could tell from Kristen’s tone that her roommate was skeptical, and she didn’t blame her. The odds of winning were definitely not in Wren’s favor. There was no harm in entering, though. What’s the movie, anyway? Kristen asked.

"It’s called The Exchange. It’s a Psychological thriller that starts shooting in July, Wren explained. Reece White is directing, so it has to be good." He directed Wren’s favorite movie, Border Cowboys, that Jake also starred in, four years before. It won Best Picture and Outstanding Director, and earned Jake a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor, even though he hadn’t won. Maybe this time, Jake will finally get his Oscar.

Hmm. Maybe. They reached the lecture hall and went in, taking their usual seats toward the back of the room. That’d be cool if he did, Kristen said. It’d be neat if you won the sweepstakes, too, but I’m not holding my breath.

Me neither. Wren took her MacBook out of her bag. But I can at least cross my fingers and hope for the best. Wouldn’t it be fun to visit Hollywood this summer? she asked. I did mention it was a trip for two, right? With a shopping trip?

No, you didn’t, Kristen said, but in that case, I’ll cross my fingers for you, too. I’d love to see Rodeo Drive.

I thought so. Wren chuckled. It was something to hope for, anyway, while she was stuck in another boring lecture.

CHAPTER ONE

Trey

The hot, mid-afternoon sun beat down on me, and I pulled a handkerchief out of my back pocket to wipe my brow. I should’ve been used to the heat after spending my whole life in the desert of West Texas, but even being used to it, it was still too darn hot. We were on the fourth take of the scene, and everyone hoped it would be the last. Reece was a perfectionist, though, and if the scene wasn’t exactly as he wanted it, he’d call for another take. And another one after that, if needed. People might get frustrated, but they also respected his talent. He didn’t win an Oscar before the age of thirty by not knowing what he was doing behind a movie camera.

I didn’t mind, except for the heat, because I enjoyed watching him work, and I learned so much from him. This was my first movie job where I’d have a credited role, as the second assistant director. Even if it might not sound like much, it was a huge deal for me, especially considering where I came from, and what I went through to get here. There aren’t too many Hollywood jobs for convicted felons, and when I graduated from film school back in May, I wondered if anyone would take a chance on me. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised that Reece did, because he did the same thing four years ago. He gave me a job then, which helped keep me out of prison, and now he’d given me one again. To say I owed Reece a lot would be an understatement.

I pulled my cap back on my head and sat back to watch the scene play out. Even after several takes of the same scene, there was always more to learn. It took two more takes to satisfy Reece, and then he uttered the words everyone wanted to hear.

That’s a wrap. Take a short break, and be ready to go in fifteen.

The cast and screw scattered, including the movie’s leading actor, Jake Morrison, who headed over to where his wife and young daughter sat watching. It was their first visit to the set, and I hadn’t seen them in a while, so I wanted to go say hi. If I owed a lot to Reece—and I did—I owed even more to Jake’s wife, Jordan. After all, she’s the one who really kept me out of prison.

Before I could head in their direction, though, Reece summoned me. Hey, Lozano, come over here for a minute.

I wished he would call me by first name, but so far he hadn’t. Then again, I hadn’t asked him to, either, because I didn’t know if it was my place. I was still so in awe of Reece. He was an Academy Award winning director, and I was a poor Mexican with a criminal record. I didn’t want to mess up this chance, especially not knowing when—or if—I would get another. I’d already used up a couple of my so-called second chances.

What’s up? I asked.

Wanted to get your thoughts on how we played that last take.

I didn’t answer right away, instead taking my time to think about it. He didn’t just want my approval. Reece was the one with the awards sitting on his mantle, and if he changed the mood and direction of a scene after an hour of shooting, and then called a wrap after one take with the changes, he must have been satisfied. No, he didn’t need my rubber stamp approval. He wanted my honest opinion, director to director, and that flattered me.

In some ways, I almost felt as if I were back in film school. With Reece, there was always more to learn, and I enjoyed soaking it all in.

I liked it, I said. I think it was a good idea to change it up and play it with that little bit of dry humor. The first couple takes seemed a little too intense to me, even for a darker film, and Jake’s character has that sardonic quality going for him.

Reece smiled, something I didn’t see often. Exactly what I thought, which is why I decided to try it that way. Good catch.

I smiled at the compliment. Thanks, Reece. I’m trying to learn as much as I can from you.

That’s the idea, and why I wanted you working on this movie. I was where you were once. Listening, observing, learning. Hoping for my big chance. I know it’s not always fun, and the days are long, but there are pay offs too, he said. I’ve got a project for you tomorrow that I think you’ll like.

Yeah? What’s that? I tried to sound casual, but doubted I succeeded. I was excited to hear about the new project.

Reece swept his shaggy blond hair away from his face. We’re having a visitor to the set tomorrow, he said. Remember that sweepstakes the production company sponsored? The winner’s coming tomorrow.

I remember, yeah. Not all of the details, but I knew it involved a visit to the set to watch us film for a day. "What does that have