by Alexa Aston
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I liked Mushroom Jack myself. You took a sensitive subject and made it accessible and funny.”
Sandy blushed at the compliment. “Thanks. It really surprised me when Sundance selected it but it’s boomed since then.”
Cassie eyed Sandy. “You could probably do anything you want right now so, why this script?”
He grew thoughtful. “I’m a set decorator’s brat. Brought up on sets from the time I can remember. I had a lot of imagination as a kid, playing on a sci-fi set one week and then a Western the next.”
Sandy stood and began pacing. “My favorite director was Mac Landry. He did mostly action movies and I always enjoyed watching him work. He took time for a chunky kid like me, just two film buffs talking about the industry. He spoke to me as if I were as important as any paid person on his set. He gave me all kinds of advice. Mac made me believe in myself.”
“Rhett speaks very fondly of Mac.”
Sandy nodded. “I worked as a production assistant on a film Rhett did with Mac. I watched and learned. Rhett was the consummate professional. The two of them jawed a little back and forth over the script and his character but Mac always had the knack of knowing when Rhett was right. Rhett never put on airs. He stuck to his guns. Mac went with Rhett’s suggestions when they made sense.
“I liked that about Mac and I liked Rhett. I could see he had so much potential and I thought he was wasting it by continually playing action figures. When I read this script, I saw Rhett written all over it.”
Sandy paused in front of Cassie. “I know he can do this. Of course, I want a few script changes. Very minor ones. For two first-time screenwriters, it’s strong on all fronts. I want this as my next project.”
He blushed again like a teenager in love. “I have this fantasy that I’m the one who taps Rhett Corrigan’s deep talent pool and shows the world what he’s capable of.”
The director took a seat, his arms falling along the back of the sofa. “I’m guessing you’ve met with several directors and no one wants to touch this project because it’s so far off Rhett’s image. I should play hard to get but I’m telling you that I’ll do anything to work with Rhett Corrigan on this.”
A sense of peace rolled through Cassie and she couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. Sandy would be the one to change the direction of Rhett’s career. “I’ve liked everything you’ve said, Sandy. I believe we’ll work together well.” She eyed him for a moment. “Let’s see if you’re really the film buff you claim to be. Go three for three and we’ll open a bottle of champagne to celebrate your hiring.”
Sandy laughed. “Try to stump me. I’m the king of movie trivia.”
“Okay, I have three questions.”
“Shoot.”
“What three films swept the Oscars in all five major categories. What Nicholson’s first film role for Roger Corman was. And what cult film did Roger Ebert write.”
Relief flooded Sandy’s cherub face. “This is a piece of cake. The movies are It Happened One Night, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Silence of the Lambs.”
She sat up expectantly. “Go on.”
“Nicholson made a big impression in Little Shop of Horrors. And Ebert, among his screenplays, authored Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.”
Sandy brought his knuckles together and cracked them expertly. “Sure you don’t have anything harder to throw at me?”
Cassie laughed. “Rhett and Breck are going to love you. You hit the trifecta.” She pulled her cell from her pocket and hit a button before bringing it to her ear.
“Hey, it’s me. Where are you two? You need to get home and meet Sandy Sanderson, our new director.”
She winked at the young man parked on the couch. “Yes, he got all three questions right. No hesitation. And you actually know him. He worked on Mac Landry’s set.”
Cassie listened a moment. “Okay. We’ll see you in ten. Love you.”
She looked at Sandy. “I hope it won’t cause any problems but Rhett and I are involved. Engaged, actually.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me any. Make sure Rhett shows up on time knowing his lines and we’ll be the best of buds.” The director suddenly turned and looked out the window. “Who’s that?”
Cassie glanced and saw Jolene pass by, arms swinging briskly. “Jolene Farrell. She’s Breck’s girlfriend. Maybe you’ve seen her in one of the local comedy clubs before.”
Sandy smiled. “Never been to one but I know she’s exactly right for Katelyn.”
Cassie thought a moment. “You’re right. It never hit me before but Jo would be perfect!”
She sprang to her feet. “I’ll be right back.” She dashed out of the room and threw open the front door, hollering for Jolene to stop.
Her friend turned. “Hey, your meeting’s already over? I was about to take a speed walk. Wanna come?”
Cassie hurried to Jolene and grabbed her hand, leading her back to the house.
“Where are we going? Cassie, do not tempt me with one of Mimi’s German chocolate cakes or Dutch apple crisps. I started walking this week to try and drop a few pounds and I don’t need any excuses to stop. Not with Kimmel breathing down my neck.”
“This is better than dessert, Jo. Trust me.”
Cassie brought Jolene into the room, straight to Sandy. He walked around her, frowning, nodding, talking to himself under his breath. Jolene shot Cassie a puzzled look but Cassie waved it away.
“Well?” Cassie asked.
Sandy placed his hands on Jolene’s shoulders. “How would you like to play Katelyn?”
Astonishment dawned on Jolene’s face. “You mean . . . you actually mean . . . we’re talking Katelyn, right? The one who gets—”
“Yes,” Sandy interrupted. “You’re perfect for her.”
Jolene looked dazed a moment and then quipped, “Well, fuck a duck. I never thought about acting before but isn’t that what I do?” She looked to Cassie for reassurance. “Don’t I get up there and play different parts in my routine? I could really do this.”
Cassie agreed. “I hadn’t thought about it before but you’d be super, Jo.”
Jolene thought a minute. “So, like, do I do some kind of screen test? Read with Rhett?”
Sandy shook his head. “You have natural talent, Jolene. Listening to you speak now, I have no doubt you could play this character.”
She frowned. “I just get the role?” She looked to Cassie. “Can he do that?”
She smiled. “He can do anything, Jo. Sandy Sanderson’s our director.”
EPILOGUE
One year later . . .
“Do I look okay?”
Cassie snapped the small evening purse shut. She walked to Rhett and ran a hand down the arm of his sleek Armani tuxedo.
“You look fantastic, Corrigan.”
Rhett flashed a cocky smile. “I know. Just fishing for a compliment from my girl.”
Despite the accolades he’d received playing Rick Farmer, she knew Rhett still faced moments of doubt.
“Why don’t you tell me how nice I look, Mr. Best Actor nominee?”
Rhett looked Cassie up and down. “Hmm. Body-hugging emerald green dress that makes your hair and skin pop. Slit up to there showing off your amazing legs. Killer stilettos.”
He moved a step closer and picked up her hand. “A bling ring that’s only slightly less dazzling than your smile.”
Rhett paused. “Wait a minute. Something’s missing.”
Cassie laughed. “No way. The legs are shaved, Tanya did a terrific job on my hair and makeup, and the mani and pedi are the best I’ve ever had. Face it, Corrigan. You’re seeing me at the top of my game. It’s all downhill from here.”
He pulled a slender box from his jacket pocket. “I think this might complete the picture.”
Her eyes misted over. She took the jewelry box and gruffly said, “If you make me cry and mess up my mascara, you are so dead.”
She opened it and saw diamond earrings. B
esides her engagement ring, she’d never owned anything so lovely.
“They’re . . . I don’t know what to say.” Cassie swallowed hard. “I love them.”
“Put them on.”
She did, her hands trembling. “How did I get so lucky?”
Rhett shrugged. “Beats me.” He gave her a wicked grin. “When the red carpet reporters asks where they’re from, you get to say there all yours, babe. No borrowing from Fred Leighton in this family.”
Cassie laughed. “Okay, sentimental moment just flew out the window as we plot what to say to E! News on the red carpet.”
She kissed him. “Thank you. I will treasure these forever.”
He cupped her cheek. “I’ll cut you a deal. Every time you get a nomination for Best Screenplay, I’ll buy you a little trinket.”
“You’re on.”
“I think it’s time to hit the limo.”
Cassie followed Rhett down the stairs, still feeling like Cinderella at the ball. She had a fiancé she loved, an Oscar nomination for her first screenplay effort, and they were about to attend the most glamorous night Hollywood offered with their best friends. No matter what the outcome, Cassie was living the good life.
Waco, Texas seemed a far and distant nightmare to her. Even the lean years in Hollywood before Rhett didn’t matter anymore. Rhett made her believe in herself and Cassie realized that screenwriting would be her future. Nothing, other than being with Rhett, gave her such a natural high. Writing and Rhett completed her. She would never take either for granted.
They met Breck and Jolene in the driveway.
“Cassie, those earrings are to die for,” Jolene gushed.
“You look wonderful, Jo.” And she did. Confidence brimmed from her friend. Not only had her career taken off with that first talk show appearance, but Jolene had done a Showtime special and signed on for a sitcom in the fall that she and Breck were developing.
And that didn’t count her Best Supporting Actress nod.
They climbed into the limo in high spirits. Cassie and Jolene talked about the after parties and who they might see.
“Is this a dream, Cass?” Jolene asked. “Will it all disappear?”
“Not on your life,” she guaranteed. “We’ve got two great men and thriving careers. This night is the icing on our very large cake.”
“I guess the only downer is Sandy not getting a Best Director nom.”
Cassie nodded. “Rhett’s still upset about that. Especially since Sandy was recognized with one by the Director’s Guild. Rhett feels it’s a part of the old Hollywood backlash against him. He’s apologized to Sandy several times.”
“It’s not Rhett’s fault,” Jolene agreed. “He’s been through a rocky year with all the bad press but this movie and his first Oscar nomination will help repair his image. Sandy’s young and gifted. He’ll have another shot down the line.”
Rhett got their attention. “Ladies, I think we need a celebratory toast.” He poured champagne all around.
“I need a hit of alcohol to get through this night,” Breck added, twisting at his collar. “I hate dress-up stuff.”
Jolene patted his knee. “I’ll undress you on the way home, baby. That’ll give you something to look forward to.”
Rhett cocked one eyebrow at Cassie. “We might need to hitch another ride home.”
Cassie raised her glass. “To the four of us—and everything that’s yet to come.”
They clinked glasses together and drank to their successes, both now and in the future.
◆◆◆
“We’re here,” Jolene said nervously. “Look at that massive crowd. I hope I can avoid those Fashion Police morons.”
“Why?” asked Cassie. “You look terrific. Might as well strut your stuff.”
“I’m still too chunky. They’ll crucify me behind my back the minute I walk away.”
Jolene had gone on a pre-Oscar night diet, but she loved food too much to stick to it. She’d actually gained three pounds in the past two weeks.
Cassie told her, “You’ve got curves in all the right places, Jolene Farrell. Flaunt it.”
Jolene thought a moment. “You’re right, Cass. Why should I let anyone intimidate me? I’m a fuckin’ Academy Award nominee!”
The limo crawled to a stop. Rhett slipped his hand around Cassie’s.
“Ready to run the gauntlet?”
She looked at him with unwavering love and confidence. Rhett thought he might burst with happiness. He finally understood what others had said before. It wasn’t about the win. Recognition through the nomination was enough. With Cassie by his side, he would always be a winner.
“Let’s do it,” Breck said and swung open the door.
Rhett glided from the limo, Cassie by his side. They stopped every few feet for the usual interviews. Everyone wanted to know about his big comeback.
“Like Travolta before me, I never went anywhere,” he told a reporter. “Success comes in waves in this town. Right now, I’m riding the Big Kahuna.”
He was pleased that Cassie shared in the limelight. He’d already read two other scripts she’d hammered out during the past year, one in tandem with Breck and the other a solo effort. He was glad they’d formed their own production company. One screenplay he would star in and the other Ken had agreed to do. Rhett would exec produce on that one.
He looked forward to working on both sides of the camera these days and it was all because of the woman by his side.
“When are you and Rhett tying the knot?” an entertainment reporter asked.
“We’ve been so busy, we haven’t had time,” Cassie admitted. “We plan to get through tonight and then take it from there.”
Rhett maneuvered them toward the doors. “It’s getting late. Let’s get inside and find our seats.”
Jolene’s category was the first of theirs to be announced. She lost but seemed matter-of-fact during the commercial break.
“I didn’t have as much screen time as most of the other women in my category. I knew that would hold me back with some voters.”
Rhett said, “Jennifer Lawrence shouldn’t have been in that group. Her performance should’ve gone into Best Actress instead.”
“It doesn’t matter, Rhett. You and Sandy gave me a wonderful opportunity. I never would’ve thought of acting until you two pressed me. It’s opened a whole new world.”
Cassie’s screenwriting category came up over ninety minutes later.
“Breck and I are not going to win,” she whispered to Rhett. “That mountain climber turned paraplegic script was a real tearjerker.”
“My money’s on you, babe.” He laced his fingers through hers as Christian Bale announced the names.
Cassie lost, just as she predicted. Rhett sensed her visibly relaxing.
“I didn’t want to win,” she confessed as the show went to commercial. “I hadn’t written an acceptance speech. Me—a writer—not writing anything down.” She beamed at him. “It’s up to you, Corrigan. We’re two strikes down. Hit one out of the park, okay?”
Cate Blanchett crossed the stage, envelope in hand. As last year’s Best Actress winner, she was ready to announce this year’s Best Actor.
As she read through the nominees, a calm descended over Rhett. It didn’t matter whose name Cate called. He was ready.
“And the Oscar goes to . . . Rhett Corrigan!” she exclaimed.
He turned to Cassie. “I love you,” and gave her a quick kiss. He kissed Jolene in the row behind them and hugged Breck and Sandy before he raced up the steps.
Only when he turned back to the audience did he see the standing ovation. It brought tears to his eyes.
The audience quieted as they seated themselves and Rhett tried to collect his thoughts. Like Cassie, he hadn’t put anything on paper, figuring that would be too presumptuous.
“I knew there was more to life than being known as a pretty face so I left modeling years ago, hungry for a new challenge. I got caught up in making money and not alway
s looking for the best script, but I finally figured out there’s more to life than money.
“And that there was more to me.”
He paused, drawing in a deep breath and expelling it. “I’ll be honest. I felt abandoned by the Hollywood community in the last year, except for my good friends. Ken, Melanie, Chris, Darin, Leo—you stuck by me and didn’t let my tanking reputation change anything between us. For that, I’m grateful.”
He fell silent a moment, glancing out at the crowd, seeing so many familiar faces and knowing one who was no longer there to help him celebrate this moment.
“Another friend who always supported me isn’t here tonight. Zak Mercury was like a brother to me. I miss his razor-sharp wit. His talent and heart. His take no prisoners, all-in attitude. I think of Zak every day and how he pushed me to be more. Do more. Give more.”
Rhett gripped the podium as he looked out at the audience. “Breck, Jolene, we’ve become more than friends, more than colleagues. We’re family in the truest sense. Thanks also to my mom, Nadine, the coolest mom in the world, and my sisters Carreen, Scarlett, and Suellen.”
He found his director, their eyes meeting. “Sandy, you challenged me in ways I never dreamed and those dreams have now become reality. I can’t thank you enough.”
Sandy raised his hands and bowed his head, acknowledging Rhett’s words.
“I have someone who’s become my very life,” he continued. “My heart. My soul. My everything. She’s my workout partner, my best friend, my fiancée, the love of my life—and the biggest card shark in town. She knows my heart. None of this would ever have happened without her love, her patience, her encouragement, or her support.”
Rhett held his Oscar high. “This is for you, Cassie.”
He walked off-stage to thunderous applause.
Immediately, a wrangler tried to herd him to the backstage interview room.
“I’m sorry,” he told her, “I don’t have time to do any interviews.” As he hurried through the confusion, Kelly Ripa thrust a microphone in his face.
"Sorry, I can’t stop, Kelly.” Rhett couldn’t help the grin that escaped. “I’ve got a wedding to attend. Mine.” He pushed past the startled TV host and hurried through the wings.
