I watch as he climbs into the car. His potential agent pulls away from the curb with tires squealing. She looks pissed at me, pissed at him, pissed at the world. Yikes. That woman is wound tight enough to pop a vertebra when she sneezes.
“Hey, you ready to go, Andi?” Boxer calls from the car. “Pierce told me to bring you to your car, but there’s a problem: I don’t know where he put your car.”
Big, lovable Boxer, I think as I make my way to the car and give him directions. As we take off into the horrible traffic, I can’t help but watch the cars around me and think that of all people in Los Angeles, Ryan Pierce has chosen me to miss.
We might never be able to make things work in any sort of permanent way, but at least for now, I can enjoy the little moments we have together.
CHAPTER 31
Andi
My phone rings just before we turn onto the highway that’ll lead us to Hollywood Boulevard, Phil, and my car. I look down, my heart racing with all sorts of insane thoughts going through my head.
In the split second before I glance at the screen, I wonder if it’s Ryan calling to tell me he changed his mind and wants to stay here for just a little while longer. Friends, I mutter to myself. We’re friends.
“Friends?” Boxer looks over. “We’re friends?”
“Sure,” I tell Boxer as I answer the phone. “Hello?”
“Hello,” Boxer says.
The man on the other end of the phone clears his throat. “Hello, may I speak to Andi?”
“This is Andi,” I say, and Boxer looks over, finally putting the puzzle pieces together. “Whom am I speaking with?”
“This is Nick Bennett,” he says. “I’m a friend of the Pierce family.”
“Oh,” I say. “Are you looking for Ryan? He’s not here.”
He laughs, a soft sound. “Ryan didn’t tell you I’d be calling?”
“Um…”
“Let me start this over,” Nick says. “I’m an agent for VWA, and I represent stars such as Andrew Flemming, Adam Thomson, Lila Montenapoleone, and—”
“I know who you are,” I say stiffly. I’d recognized the name when he’d first said it, but for some reason, the dots didn’t connect. “I sent you headshots about three years ago.”
“Yes, I remember,” he says. “You were young. Twenty?”
“Good memory,” I say, trying to remain calm. Nick Bennett is the best of the best—he’s gotten at least three comics their own shows in the last year alone. Signing with Nick is like receiving Willy Wonka’s golden ticket in the world of comedy. “I’m older now, more experienced.”
Just as I’m about to smack my head into the car-seat in front of me for sounding so stupid, he laughs again. “I’ve been following your career closely, and it seems like you’ve built up a solid resume.”
“I’ve tried,” I say. “Sorry, did you mention Ryan asking you to call? You really don’t have to—”
“No, you’ve misunderstood,” Nick interrupts. “Ryan didn’t tell me to call. I asked for your information when I realized y’all were dating.”
“Oh, well, we’re not dating.”
“Right,” he says, sounding unconvinced. “Well, Lawrence is one of my closest friends. I was at his bachelor party the other night, not realizing we’d kick the whole thing off with a comedy show.”
“You and me both,” I say. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
“Lucky me, it was the best show I’ve seen all month.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I hounded Ryan all show to get your number. He finally broke down after asking you if it’d be okay.”
“Are you lying?”
“Sorry?”
“He didn’t put you up to this, did he? You’re not doing him any favors by calling me?”
“No, absolutely not. Ryan seemed hesitant to share your info, if anything.”
“Oh.”
“Now that we’ve cleared up that matter, I have to say, Andi, I loved your stuff.” He moves the conversation along, for which I am grateful. “I’m calling because I may have an opportunity for you. How soon can you get to Studio City?”
“An hour?”
“I’ll see you then. Do you need the address to VWA headquarters?”
“I’m not…” I look in the mirror at my sex hair, about to tell him I’m not ready for a meeting, not ready for my career to get a break, not ready for the pressure.
Then I realize…I’ll never be ready.
“Problem?”
This might be my only chance in the world to get a meeting with Nick Bennett. I straighten my shoulders, tilt my chin a little bit to the sky, and force a smile on my face. “Absolutely not. See you soon.”
No sooner do I disconnect than my phone beeps with a text. It’s from Ryan.
Ryan: I forgot to tell you—I hope you don’t mind that I gave your phone number to Nick Bennett. He’s been a pain in my ass about it ever since he heard you at the show. If you don’t want him to call you, let me know. I’ll take care of it.
Me: I just got off the phone with him.
Ryan: And?
Me: Are you sure you didn’t force him to call me? If you’re lying, I’ll find out and hunt you down.
Ryan: I promise. He asked me.
Me: Pinky swear?
Ryan: On my life.
Me: Well, I’m on my way to see him now.
Ryan: Lucky bastard. If he hits on you, I’m going to be upset.
Me: Jealous?
Ryan: I wouldn’t say jealous.
Me: What would you say?
Ryan: Possessive.
Me: Same thing.
Ryan: I don’t care what you call it, the fact is, I want to see you again. Can I book your tickets for the wedding?
Me: You don’t have to pay. I’ll book them. Payment for the car, or the meeting with Nick.
Ryan: Absolutely not. I’ll send you the confirmation information in a few minutes. Two days around the wedding sound good? I know you’ll have to be back for work.
Me: I’ve asked my boss for some time off.
Ryan: Is it too much to say that I miss you?
Me: No…I miss you too.
Ryan: Good luck with Nick today, but you don’t need it. If he doesn’t sign you on first sight, he’s an idiot.
Ryan: I’m going through security, going to turn phone off soon. Call me after?
Me: Safe flight!
I almost catch myself typing Love you without thinking about it, but not because it means anything. I say those words to Lisa all the time, and she says them to me too—even if she’s a little more crass and adds a few curse words in there just out of habit.
While thinking about Lisa, I text her the news about my meeting with Mr. Bennett.
She responds immediately.
Lisa: No way! Good luck! I love you, bitch!!! You’ll do great. Call me after—drinks, my bed, tonight.
CHAPTER 32
Andi
“So? How did it go?” Lisa’s voice sounds through the speaker. “I’ve been on pins and needles over here.”
I’m making my way out of VWA agency headquarters, still spinning from the interview with Nick. My sex hair has been somewhat tamed, and I’m lucky that the comedy business is casual by nature. My black tank top and jeans worked great with the leather jacket and high heels stashed in my trunk.
“He asked me to do a five-minute bit,” I say, my breath coming in gasps. “I think I nailed it. We didn’t agree to sign anything yet, but he’s interested. He’s sending in the footage for some new show.”
“One of those Last Comic Standing type things?”
“Yeah, but a brand new Netflix edition,” I say. “They have their male roster set but needed a few females. He’s going to call you next!”
“Shit, you’re kidding.”
“He loved our show!”