He drew her close. Olivia held her breath. All the cameras and crew and lights seemed to disappear. She could imagine being on a beach with Jackson. She looked up at him, his blue eyes sparkling. Their faces were so close Olivia was having trouble swallowing. She knew he was supposed to say the rest of his line, so why didn’t he? Was he going to kiss her?
Olivia couldn’t deny it any more. Being near Jackson made her happier than tofu salads. Her heart raced.
‘Mia, I wish you didn’t have to leave.’
‘Me, too,’ Olivia whispered. She felt herself rising on to her tiptoes, ever so slightly, closing her eyes, then . . .
‘CUT!’ shouted Philippe and the spell was broken.
Olivia sank back on to her heels. She blinked in the glare of the lights and saw all the camera crew staring.
‘Good, good, yes.’ Philippe clapped. ‘Thank you all, ladies. We will think on this, watch these tapes and announce our decision tomorrow.’
Olivia sat down on one of the stools, feeling amazed by the moment she’d just had with Jackson and wondering if she’d done enough to get the part.
‘It’s almost like you were a different person that second time,’ Jackson said, sitting down next to her and swivelling in semi-circles. ‘You were so good!’
All Olivia could do was smile.
Jackson paused. ‘Is now later?’
‘What?’ Olivia had no idea what he meant.
‘Does now count as later? Can I ask you again?’
Olivia realised this must be something that happened when she was switched with Ivy. ‘Sure, you can ask me now.’
‘Well, like I said, I’ve never met anyone like you.’
Olivia’s heart started to pound. Is what I think is about to happen actually happening?
‘You are smart and beautiful and a really good actress.’
Olivia held her breath. Oh my pompoms, it is happening! she realised. Her mouth went dry.
‘Could we hang out off-set, away from all the craziness? Just you and me?’
Olivia gulped. Her movie-star crush was asking her out! Underneath all the Hollywood glamour, he was a normal guy. The kind of normal guy she would love as a boyfriend. It wasn’t like he was a vampire or anything. If he wants to take me out, I’m going to let him, she decided.
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘Yes?’ Jackson replied. ‘Yes!’ He got so excited that he spun all the way round in his chair.
‘Jackson!’ Amy stopped right in front of them, one hand on her hip. ‘Inside Hollywood wants to interview you on camera.’
‘Sorry to rush off. I’ll call you later,’ he said to Olivia and hurried away.
Olivia was stunned.
Camilla came up to her. ‘From the grin on your face, something big just happened.’
Olivia nodded. ‘He asked me out!’ This was major. She had to tell Ivy. She had to tell everyone! No, she shouldn’t tell people. ‘I’m calm,’ she said aloud. ‘I’m not freaking out.’ But she guessed she was smiling like an idiot.
‘I would be freaking out,’ Camilla admitted.
‘OK, I am.’ Olivia needed a rest. Today had been such a crazy day that she needed to sit down and take it all in.
But first she had to get out of the teeny sundress. Brr.