* * *
The next twenty-four hours passed much too quickly for Allison. She decided not to check her phone yet so the real world wouldn’t creep in. Luke and Mar begged them not to leave so they both agreed to spend one more day on the beautiful island and then fly through the night on Luke’s private jet back to California. The day was filled with everything they could do together that didn’t hurt Allison’s shoulder. Even though she tried to convince Birch that it felt fine, she loved how protective and tender he was with her. They were able to zipline through the forest, scuba dive in the clear water of the bay, relax on the beach, and eat at the delicious restaurant and enjoy time with Luke and Mar.
As they flew through the night, Allison cuddled against Birch and wished they didn’t have to end their alone time together. There was also a small part of her that was excited to get back and meet with her agent and see if she’d secured the role inThe Crusaders. She’d done all she could and being tied to her phone wouldn’t make any difference, but it would be nice to know either way. She knew they planned to start filming soon, and the role she was hoping for was one of the last to be filled. Would that cut into her six weeks with Birch? She didn’t want that but she wanted the role, badly. It would secure her career and also would be the exact type of role she’d been working for her entire life and a movie series she could be proud to promote and be part of.
She woke as the sun was rising outside the plane’s window. Birch’s head was back against the seat, his mouth was open, and he was snoring softly. She smiled. It was adorable to see this tough, classy man look like anyone would while sleeping in a recliner.
After watching him for a second, she looked out the window and saw they were descending. She pulled out her purse and hurried into the bathroom, brushing her teeth, splashing water on her face, and putting on some lip gloss, face powder, and eyeliner.
She fished out her phone as she stood in the bathroom and her finger lingered over the power button for a few seconds before she pressed and held it. It was with a mix of anticipation and dread that she pushed on the message button and glanced over all the texts she’d missed. Rachel, Abe, Bermuda, and many other friends had messaged her, as well as her agent and Jeremiah. She caught the “Congratulations” on Bermuda and Jeremiah’s text and the “Call me right now” demand from Jessica. Clicking on her agent’s text stream she saw the words she’d been hoping for. “You got the role!”
Allison squealed happily. She knew she should call her agent, but instead she dropped her phone into her purse and hurried out to Birch. He straightened in his chair and stared at her. “You okay?”
“Yes!” She sat next to him and grabbed his hands. “I got the part!”
Birch’s smile was genuine but there was something deep in his eyes that revealed his trepidation. He still had trouble with actresses or maybe just the demands of her life. “Congratulations.” He hugged her and then pulled back. “You’ll do a fabulous job with it.”
“Thanks.” She felt all lit up and appreciated that he could be positive with her no matter his reservations.
“Do you know … when you’re starting filming?”
She bit at her lip. “I only saw that text then came to you. I’ll have to call my agent and get all the details.”
The plane was descending sharply now. They both put their seats upright and buckled up. Birch took her hand and said, “Are you dying to call her?”
How did he know her so well already? “Sort of, but I wanted to share this moment with you.”
“Thank you.” He squeezed her hand. “You can call her though.”
“Okay, thanks.” She pulled her phone out of her purse but wondered if this was some test from Birch. Why would he insist she call, though? He probably, like her, simply wanted to know how soon she’d start and how much time they had together.
“Finally you call me,” Jessica sounded both annoyed and excited.
“Sorry. I went off the grid because of that stalker attack.”
“Oh, I see.” Jessica was instantly contrite. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s good. They caught him so I’m landing in L.A. as we speak.”
“Perfect. Come straight to my office to sign the contract. This is huge, Ally. The money, the prestige, they want a four-film agreement.”
“That all sounds great. How soon are they starting filming?”
“October eighth.”
“That’s … three weeks away.”
Birch glanced sharply at her. His dark eyes were full of disappointment and longing.
“That’s true but the offer was made a week ago and you haven’t been responding. Also they want you there a week early. The first stint is in Kauai so that’s a dream. Every other position was locked up, but they couldn’t decide between you and Bermuda. In the end, it was your squeaky clean image that won it for you, even though she has more experience.”
Allison felt bad taking the role from her friend but she was thrilled with the opportunity. She was also relieved that with the stalker being caught, Birch couldn’t claim Bermuda had been behind it any longer.
“Also, they kept it really quiet but the producer wanted Divine Destiny to have the role. Apparently, her mother, Apple Autumn, and the producer are ‘lifelong friends’. You didn’t hear this from me, but I guess both of them are royally ticked off. Not our problem though, but if you don’t sign that contract she’s their next option, even over Bermuda. How soon can you get here?”
Allison looked at Birch. She didn’t know his sister was going for the role too. “At least two hours,” she told her. She told her thank you and goodbye, then hung up and slid the phone into her purse.
There was silence as the plane touched down, then started to taxi. Birch finally said, “So you have a few weeks before you start?”