Star Power

STAR POWER THE HOLLYWOOD SERIES BOOK THREE 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 Hollywood Secrets Dreaming of Home 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 Epilogue Thank You Also by Carol Wyatt 1 It still amazed Lara Soler that this was her life, that part of her job as a talent agent involved attending parties like this one at one of Malibu’s most sought-after properties. She carried her glass of white wine out to the massive deck, the glass walls surrounding it nearly invisible, like there was nothing between her and the sand and the waves. The sun was sinking in the sky, leaving behind a dramatic canvas of pinks and purples. The roar of the waves almost drowned out the lo-fi beats coming from the surround sound speakers dotted throughout the house. Even though she’d spent three years shadowing Kerri Talbert, one of the best agents in the business, and learning as much as she could from her, Lara was still having a year of firsts, because she was doing all of these things, going to red carpet events and pressers, as an agent, not as Kerri’s personal assistant. She’d attended the official wrap party last weekend, but this was an informal version, thrown by one of the lead actresses, and she’d decided to host a more laid-back version in her home without all the higher-ups. This was meant to be a relaxed evening with the entire cast and whomever they wanted to invite. Most brought a friend or a partner, but Hayden Dent had surprised Lara by asking her to come with her tonight. Hayden Dent was one of the last people Kerri signed before retiring to Colorado, and she was the same age as Lara. They were both thirty-two and although Hayden was still waiting for her breakout role, she was finding her feet in this business, securing another solid side character with this TV series. Lara took a sip of wine as she watched the pinks deepen into magenta as the last of the daylight disappeared, and she inhaled a deep breath, loving the salty, fresh scent of the ocean, wishing she made more time to go to the beach. She’d been working like crazy these last six months, knowing that Kerri’s former clients, now her clients, expected a lot from her. None of them knew that Kerri was going to retire, and Kerri had given those actors and actresses her word that Lara was going to look after them. Lara still struggled to see how Kerri could have had so much trust in her. Yes, they’d spent three years working together, but Lara had been her personal assistant, and even though Lara always went above and beyond, that didn’t translate into becoming a top agent. She’d get there in time. She was sure of that much. But what would she do in the meantime? Lara had already lost two of Kerri’s former clients in the last three months, neither of them willing to give her any more time to get them the roles they thought they deserved. She tried not to let Kerri hear how stressed out she was anytime Kerri called, because Lara didn’t want to let her down. She had so much respect for Kerri, personally and professionally, and Lara didn’t want Kerri to worry about her or to think that she’d made the wrong decision by recommending Lara. “Hey.” Lara turned to see Hayden standing beside her, her golden blond hair lifting in the light breeze. Lara hadn’t even heard her approach. “Hey.” “You were miles away,” Hayden said softly. “You okay?” “Yeah.” Lara took another drink. Hayden knew what was going on with her. They’d become more friends than agent and client in the last few weeks, both of them confessing their fears and doubts about their futures in this business. Hayden was at a critical point in her career. She spent the last five years taking just about any job she could get, but unfortunately in this business, with each passing year, Hayden’s chances of landing a big role were reducing. There would always be another young actress coming up, who might not have Hayden’s experience, but they had youth on their side, and like it or not, that counted for a lot more than it should. “You know,” Hayden said, “I was thinking about you when I was listening to a few veteran actors when I went inside to get a drink, and they were reminiscing about how much Hollywood has changed since they started.” “Yeah?” “You’ve been so supportive of me, even though I was Kerri’s find. You’ve kept me from walking away more times than I can count now, and we’ve only known each other six months. Seriously, I’m really grateful that you’re my agent and my friend. I don’t want to get all mushy and ruin the party vibe, but I want to make sure you know that.” Lara nodded, a wry smile coming to her lips. “If only I could get you that breakout part.” Hayden gave Lara’s forearm a squeeze. “I