“The book I haven’t finished writing?”
“That would be the one.”
“Okay, so what’s the not-so-great news?”
“Because of this movie deal, your publisher moved up the deadline for the book. They need the manuscript months sooner than what was originally agreed on.”
Months? Is this deal for real?
I always have words. But now? I can’t think over the explosive pounding in my ears.
Maxwell’s talking, but I don’t even try to listen. I’m only a third of theway done with the book. My synopsis is completed. I know where the plot’s going. But writing fast? Never done it.
I cut Maxwell off mid-monologue. “What did you say?”
“They have several actors in mind for William and Safina.” The excitement in Max’s voice is amped up, like a cheerleader on amphetamines. He throws out a few names I recognize, including two previous Academy Award nominees.
And it feels like I’ve walked into the path of a grizzly bear. That oh-shit moment when you haven’t had a chance to process the danger. Only this, what Maxwell just told me, isn’t dangerous. No, I must have misheard him. Misunderstood what he just said.
Because…what he’s saying…is big. Holy-fucking-shit big.
None of my other books have resulted in actual movies. But this deal? It’s the real freaking thing.
My book will be a movie.
With big names playing my characters.
HOLY. MOTHER-OF-GOD. SHIT.
I want to run and scream and jump up and down and hug Kellan, like I’ve just shot the winning goal during the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In overtime. And the whole crowd is cheering for me, chanting my name.
“Bethany has also included in the contract that you’ll be involved with writing the script.”
Wait, what?My excitement screeches to a standstill. “I know nothing about script writing.”
Kellan pauses in his calf stretch and glances at me, one eyebrow cocked.
I mouth the wordlaterand turn the other way. I don’t want to be distracted right now.
“You learned how to write novels; you can learn how to write scripts. You won’t be the only writer working on it. Plus, it’s a bigger deal when an author is involved in writing a movie script. More money. Bigger name recognition.”
I can do this. I know I can. Right? “Okay. I’m in. First, I’ll finish the book, then worry about my script-writing skills. Exactly when is it due?”
“August fifteenth.”
Shit.“What? Like…in four months?”
“Three months and three weeks, to be exact. That won’t be a problem, will it?” He isn’t really asking if it’s possible. Not when he’s using the tone that says,Sorry, not sorry, but this is the way it is.
I don’t have a fucking choice. Not unless I want to turn down this career-changing opportunity. And I’d be an idiot to do that. A mountain-sized idiot.
“What about my contract? Can the publisher legally move up the date?”
“Do you really want to quibble over the due date when your book is being made into a big-ass movie? A movie that will be shown in theaters all over the world?” He releases a long breath, his patience with me clearly teetering on a super-sharp edge. “Or do you want Bethany to tell them you’re not interested?” Now his tone implies he’ll hop on the next flight from New York to Oregon and strangle me if I say yes.
“No, I’ll do it, but it’ll be tight, what with Wilderness Warriors starting for the summer again soon. As long as nothing else unexpected pops up, I should be able to finish it before August fifteenth.”
“Should?” His voice has an eyebrow-lifted tone. A challenge.
