can in my spare time, I will one day write a screenplay worth showing to Vinnie. My dream is to have a Hollywood star like Nico Chase cast in one of my films. I might not be what directors want behind the camera, but it doesn’t mean I will give up on my dream.
Vinnie snarls at the male agent in his late twenties, who shoves a hand through his dark hair and stares at his dress shoes. He’s impeccably dressed, styled to perfection, and looks like he wants to crawl out of his skin. My boss brings the worst out of people, while also inspiring the best. He takes more of the Steve Jobs approach to management, yelling at employees until they perform at their highest levels. Some people crack under pressure, while the few who have what it takes survive here long-term.
“Get Sarina Lopez back in this office,” Vinnie says to the agent, “or you can pack your shit.”
The agent sighs. “Yes, sir.”
He leaves Vinnie’s office in a rush, and I don’t blame him one bit. I would high tail it out of here if I was allowed to leave. But since Vinnie summoned me, it must be important.
“You wanted to see me,” I choke out.
He tips his head to the chairs in front of his desk, and my stomach does a dozen summersaults. I hold my breath when our eyes meet, unable to read his blank expression. Did my idiot brother call Vinnie and piss him off even more? Am I getting fired because of it?
“I need you to talk to Nico again,” he says, digging his elbows into the wood as he leans forward, his dark eyes meeting mine. “He refuses to choose a script.”
“He seemed pretty interested in The Fallen Empire. What happened to that one?”
“The studio doesn’t want to cast him in the main role.”
“So, what are his options? What am I supposed to say to him? I’m an assistant.”
Vinnie shakes his head. “No, Ash, you’re more than my assistant. My clients like you. They trust you. They see you as…” He presses his lips together. “Like a normal person. Someone they can relate to.”
I laugh at his comment. “But I can’t relate to them. I’m a nobody, and they’re movie stars.”
“Nico likes you,” he shoots back. “And Nico doesn’t like many people. Please, talk to him for me. I have enough on my plate right now.”
For months, Vinnie has considered dropping Nico as a client. He’s had more than a few chances that Vinnie wouldn’t have given to most of his clients. Nico was one of Vinnie’s first clients that turned into a major box office star. Because of their relationship, Vinnie coddles him like a son instead of treating him like a professional.
“I’ll call him now,” I offer as I get up from the chair.
“No, go to his house. He’s not answering any of my calls. I was lucky to get a text message from him to let me know that he’s alive.”
“Is he still drinking?”
He nods. “I would say so.” Vinnie pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers and groans. “This is my fault, you know. I pushed him to take the role in Twelve Steps. Goddamn method actors. They get so wrapped up in portraying their characters perfectly that they become the person. I didn’t expect him to turn into an alcoholic. It was a good gig with a lot of money and a great director attached to the project. I did what any agent would have done.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say with a weak smile. “You didn’t make him drink. He could have played the role without falling down the rabbit hole.”
“I wish he would enter treatment. But he doesn’t see his drinking as an addiction. That’s the problem with addicts. They wait until it’s out of control before they will admit they need help. I hope it doesn’t come to that with Nico. He’s like a son…” Vinnie clears his threat. “Anyway, I need you to stop by his house. I’ll have Miranda handle your desk for the afternoon. Make sure Nico is still breathing and ready to work.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Once I reach my desk, I remove my cell phone from my purse and scroll down to Dylan’s number in my recent calls. My heart hammers in my chest as my finger hovers over his name. I hate to ask him to drive me again, but he did offer to help me out until I