I hear a smile in his tone as he says, “I’m sure they’ll love you, too.”
We spend the next half hour talking about our day. When I hear his voice become groggy, I suggest getting off the phone. I get to sleep in tomorrow. He, on the other hand, must be at the stadium before seven. God knows how this man has lived off the little sleep he’s gotten in the past few days. I know I’m beat, and I’ve done only a fraction of what he has.
* * *
As Sam and her new husband Enzo exit the car, she squeals with delight. “I have the best news for you, Dani!” She rushes to greet me by embracing me with a hug.
This could only mean one thing. “What’s that?” I ask with excitement as she releases me from an enthusiastic hug.
“You did it! Your book’s being made into a movie. I just got off the phone with the producer and by the end of the day, I should have a contract for you to look over.”
“Are you kidding me?” This cannot be happening. This is just as good as waking up to finding my book had reached number one on the national bestseller’s list.
“No, not at all,” Sam assures me as she steps back. “I told you good things would happen if we just waited. They called this morning. I’d planned to put out another feeler, but it turns out I didn’t have to. They want to work with you and from the sounds of it, you’ll be able to name your terms.”
“Holy shit. This is happening…” I say in disbelief.
“Sounds about right to me,” Enzo says. “Congratulations!” He reaches out his hand to mine. “I’m Enzo. It’s nice to officially meet you, Dani.”
“Oh.” Sam bats her hand in the air. “Where are my manners? Dani, this is Enzo. Enzo, Dani.” Causing Enzo and I both to chuckle at her embarrassment.
“Nice to meet you, Enzo. Have you been to Anderson Island before?”
“No, but I’m looking forward to our first night away from the family. I know they’re in good hands with my parents, so Samantha and I will get a good night’s sleep for a change.”
“To be fair, I might just pass out as soon as we get to the Air B&B. I don’t think I’ve slept well since before we were married.”
Enzo looks to Sam as if she’s set the sun and the moon in the sky. I could only hope to have someone look at me that way. “I’m fine with anything, beautiful. You know that. I do hope we get to do more than sleep on this vacation though. We haven’t been kid-free in nearly a year.”
“Oh, don’t remind me,” Sam tsks. “Besides our wedding, I think we were in Germany before that. And that was far too eventful for my liking.”
“Hey, neither of us knew how that would turn out.” He places his hand on his chin and pretends to think something over. “If I remember correctly, you thought it was just the flu. Hmmm… I’m sure glad you were wrong.”
“Hey, it turned out to be a blessing.” She sighs. “But it doesn’t mean I’m not exhausted.”
“Do you have kids of your own, Dani?” Enzo asks.
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “I’m not ready for them yet.”
“Honey, you know Dani’s also known as Charlotte Ann, right? My client who’s dating Luke Leighton, the head coach of the Rainier Renegades.”
“Oh, right.” Enzo shakes his head in acknowledgement, then explains, “I’ve been out of town on a job until yesterday, but Samantha mentioned something about it.”
“Yeah, it’s still kind of new.” I shrug off. I’ve been working with Sam for the past couple of years. She typically doesn’t work with clients like me who are independently published, but after reading my books, she wants to help me bring them to film.
“No judgement here, trust me,” Enzo assures me with a warm smile. I can see why Sam’s so happy with him.
“Let’s go inside and work out some possible terms you want in your contract, Dani. Then we’ll get out of your hair and head to the rental house. I can’t wait to see if it’s as cute as the online photos showed.”
“As long as the bed’s comfortable, I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Enzo teases. “A full night’s sleep has been unheard of in our house.”
It doesn’t take long for Sam and me to hammer out the possible terms we want. She has the standard contract written and just wants to clarify a few things for when the producers contact her. Hopefully, all will go my way, and I’ll have a movie deal in the next few weeks.
Before they can even pull out of my driveway, I’m dialing Luke. Energy bursts through me like fireworks on the Fourth of July. I can’t wait to share this news with him.
It’s torture waiting for him to pick up. Just as I think it’s about to go to voicemail, I hear a rough, “Hello,” come through the line. “Everything okay, Danika?” His words are clipped, filled with concern. Shit. He’s probably in the middle of a meeting or practice. But I’m just too excited, and this news can’t wait.
“Yes!” I practically squeal. “I did it, Luke! It’s really happening!”
