Hollywood Secrets

HOLLYWOOD SECRETS CAROL WYATT All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Copyright © 2023 ALSO BY CAROL WYATT Wildest Dreams Wanderlust Starting Over Winter Magic Serendipity Daring To Dream Paradise Silver Bells Hollywood Dreams Summer Days Waiting For Her Autumn Bliss Box Sets The Carol Wyatt Box Set: Volume 1 The Carol Wyatt Box Set: Volume 2 From May To December: Volume 1 From May To December: Volume 2 From May To December: Volume 3 From May To December: Volume 4 Just Famous CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Thank You Also by Carol Wyatt 1 Adelaide Atwood gripped the cool black pole, putting on her most sultry, seductive expression while her chestnut brown hair fluttered in the breeze manufactured by the fan on the other side of the set. It was also blowing the sickly stench of cheap coffee her way. She wasn’t sure why she was holding onto a pole on what was meant to be a rooftop. Apparently, the green screen behind her would be turned into a cityscape. She had no idea what any of this had to do with the perfume this commercial was for. A few seconds of elevated chatter filled the room packed with crew working the lights and camera equipment before a hush came over the set and the director’s voice boomed through the silence. “Action!” Adelaide had no lines. Not any that she’d be saying on set anyway. She’d do a voice-over when they were done filming. She drew in a steadying breath. After all these years, she was used to having a dozen pairs of eyes on her, watching her every move from behind a camera or ready to run in for a touch up to her makeup, but she found these kinds of commercials or promo shots particularly unnerving, because it was all about her looks, her body. Not her talent. Although, she should be thankful that someone still thought she was attractive enough at her age to represent a perfume brand. The director’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Lean back a little, Adelaide.” Ada adjusted her grip, aware of the fact that her dress was one wrong move away from falling off her, the silky red fabric halfway down her arm, her back bare. “Yes. That’s it! Hold that.” Ada could feel her calf seizing up, all of her weight on her back leg. “Stay right there. We’ll get some closeups. Excellent!” Ada’s leg trembled, her grip on the pole tightening, and she knew there was no way that her face wasn’t contorted into some kind of a grimace. Her toes throbbed, the heels she’d been given this morning a size too small. “Don’t move, Adelaide. This is exactly what we want.” She sucked in a breath, determined to get through the next few minutes, but she couldn’t, the muscles in her calf screaming at her to switch her stance, and with a huff, she exhaled as she let go of the pole, her weight on both legs equally now, instant relief washing over her lower leg. “Adelaide!” The disappointment in the director’s voice was there for everyone to hear, but she didn’t care. It had already been such a long day. How long did it take to film a perfume commercial anyway? Ada briskly strode across the set, carefully avoiding the wires and the lighting until she could see her dressing room, her agent already there, pushing the door open and closing it behind them, the director calling her name as the door slammed shut. Kerri stood with her arms folded as Ada flopped onto the couch, kicking off her heels. Kerri’s eyes narrowed, her jet-black hair falling across her shoulders. “You’re going to wrinkle that dress.” Ada waved her off. “How much longer? We’ve been here all day.” She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror to her right, and although she appreciated what the hair stylist had done when she’d arrived on set this morning, adding a few copper highlights and curls to her hair, she still thought she was starting to look old. Kerri’s eyes were locked on her. “Do you remember when we first started working together? Do you remember what you asked me to do?” Ada sighed. “No. I don’t remember. That was more than twenty years ago.” “You made me promise that if you started acting like a diva, that I’d pull you up on it.” Ada laughed. “Well, at this point in my career, I think I’ve earned the right to be a diva.” “You can’t just storm off set like that. You’re not the only high-profile actress who can be the face of a perfume brand.” Ada glared up at her agent. “Do not say her name, Kerri. Don’t–” “Sydney Lockett would take this job in a heartbeat and she’d do it without complaining.” Ada closed her eyes as she leaned back against the cushions. It seemed like she couldn’t get through a single day anymore without hearing that woman’s name. If someone wasn’t talking about how great of an actress she was or how beautiful she was, they were comparing Sydney to Ada. Twenty-five years ago, the role that shot Ada to fame had a similar effect on Sydney when she signed up to do the remake just two years ago. They looked nothing alike. Sydney had blond hair and blue eyes. She also had that effortlessly sexy girl next door thing going for her. Ada had always been characterized as moody. Mysterious. A