Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,41
if her father had been in her life when she decided to marry Wake and had sat him down for this kind of talk. Most likely, Monty Revere would have seen through Wake and Sydney never would have married her ex. She and Wake hadn’t laughed together. Not like her parents always had.
She wondered if Dash would be able to melt the ice she’d encased her heart in. That if their laughter might be the start of something real.
Her dad looked at her. “I’ve got a question for you, Sydney. Do you think you could handle a professional relationship on the set with this young man?”
“Of course, but we won’t have one. I’ve completed the storyboards. Once the cast is set, I’ll no longer be needed.”
“Think again, Sydney, because I want you to serve as my first assistant director.”
CHAPTER 12
Surprise filled Sydney. No, shock.
“I’m not qualified to be your AD, Dad.”
“I disagree. Other than Cassie, you’ve got the best grasp on the material. When you walked me through your storyboards yesterday afternoon, I got caught up in your enthusiasm and passion for the project. Your boards already have given me exact ideas of how I want to shoot most every scene. I have a lot of trust in your gut instincts, Sydney, and that’s why I asked you to sit in on casting with Regina and Cassie.”
“I’ve never—”
“Sydney Harper Revere.”
She heard the exasperation in his voice. He never called her by her full name. She knew it was because it reminded him too much of her mother.
“You grew up on movie sets. You hung around with the crew for years. You probably know how to do every job on a set, from best boy to key grip to cameraman.”
He was right. Sydney had haunted the sets of his films from the time she was young. After her mom’s death, on the set was the only time she got to see him. He was always gone from the house, out with other women, trying to find a replacement for his dead wife. Especially after Birch died, her dad had abandoned parenting her. She’d hung on as long as she could until she was fifteen. That’s when she’d stopped going to work on the set and started getting into trouble, hoping that would grab his attention.
Nothing had—so she’d left home at seventeen. For good.
“It’s been a long time since I was anywhere near the film business. You don’t know what I’m capable of.”
He gave her a long look. She remembered the PI that had given him monthly reports on all her activities. Her dad knew exactly how driven and successful she’d become.
Reluctantly, she said, “I guess some of my skills from the past few years would translate to the film industry. What about second assistant director? That might be a better fit. I’d handle scheduling and booking. All the extras. Creating call sheets for the cast and crew.”
“I’ve got a kid from UCLA doing an internship for me. Bernie Costello. That’s his role. I really want you to come to work with me, Sydney. You’ve got the management skills to oversee the day-to-day stuff with scheduling, equipment, and the script and set.”
“Dad, I’ve never directed any background action. You’ve always delegated that in the past to your first AD.”
“Do you think you’re capable of doing it?”
Sydney actually thought she could. Before she answered, though, Dash said, “She can. She’ll be great at it.”
“Then it’s settled.” Monty stood. “Why don’t you two go celebrate? You both have jobs for the next several months.”
Dash finally released her hand and shook with her dad. “I know I’m going to learn a lot working under you, sir.”
Monty grinned. “I’m going to work your ass off, Kid, but I think you’ll be happy with the end result.” He looked to Sydney. “We’ll meet at nine tomorrow morning unless Regina can move up some of the casting for Rachel.”
“You’re on,” she said.
Dash took her hand again and led her from the room. He shut the door and glanced around, then pulled her close for a very thorough kiss. Sydney found her toes curling before he released her.
“Where’s your purse? I know women can’t go anywhere without it.”
“Still in the casting room.”
“Let’s get it.”
They wound their way through the house. As they passed Jayla, she started to speak and then glanced at their joined hands. She bit her lip to hide a smile and gave Sydney a thumbs up.
Cassie remained in the audition room, scribbling away. She put her