Act Like You Love Me

April

Holy sh*t. This is it.

Five years I’ve been waiting for this chance. Five years of fighting tooth and nail, trying desperately to claw my way back into the industry, and here I am. I honestly never thought I would step foot on a film set again, but as I park my car in the employee lot of the studio, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

Hollywood.

It’s the dream of red carpets and glamour that drive most people here. But not me. I could care less about being rich or famous. I wanna build worlds, bring talent together to create something beautiful, and then watch the audience lose themselves in our masterpiece. That’s why I sacrificed everything to come here, why I worked my *ss off to get onto my first film. And that’s why the last five years of my life have been so painfully difficult since it all went to sh*t.

But I didn’t give up.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. If I’m being honest, I almost did, and after what happened, if it hadn’t been for Crissy, my best friend and roommate, I’m not sure where I would have ended up. But she kept pushing me, kept helping me try to find a way back into the industry. And finally, I got my shot.

I couldn’t believe my luck when Crissy said she had gotten me a gig. She happened to be doing background acting work on a different show here at the studio when she overheard they were in need of a new PA on this one. She tossed my name out there, told them I was a hard worker with some experience under my belt, and next thing I knew, I was getting the call asking if I could start first thing Monday. They didn’t ask for references or wanna know what sets I’d been on before, thank God. They were just desperate for help, and I was desperate to get back into the industry. It was a win-win.

Now I just have to make sure no one finds out about Twisted Halos, the last shoot I was on. Should be easy enough. Just keep my head down and do my job. No reason for anyone to pay that much attention to me.

Being a Production Assistant on a Hollywood blockbuster is anything but glamorous. It’s long hours, minimum pay, and you’re basically a coffee b*tch. But it beats waiting tables and slinging drinks like I’ve been doing, and it’s the place to start if I wanna work my way up to Producer like I’ve always dreamed.

Now, as I make my way to the set of Hot Take, the industry’s latest action blockbuster, I know it’s time to show Hollywood I have what it takes.

I’m early, like always, and there’s hardly anyone here yet. But I spot an older guy with a walkie who looks like he might be in charge so I make my way up to him.

“Hi. I’m April Lenning, the new PA. I’m looking for Brian, the Second Assistant Director.” He was the one who called, and the one I’ll be reporting to, so that’s who I was told to check in with when I showed up.

“You’re early.” The guy looks up from the paperwork he’s pouring over. “Good. I’m Brian.” He holds out his hand to me. “Nice to meet you.”

Well that’s lucky.

“Nice to meet you too. Thank you so much for the opportunity.” I take his hand and shake it firmly. “Where do you need me today?” I know how important it is to put on a good first impression. In this town, it’s everything.

“And a go-getter. Very good.” He gives off the slightest smile, which, from the look of him, doesn’t seem like something he does very often. I’m not above trying to score brownie points with the big boss in charge so I give myself a mental high five. “Let’s get you wired up and since you’re the first one here you can go check to make sure Crafty’s all set.” He walks over to a case of walkie talkies, pulling one out for me. “Mr. Towers likes to get here early so he can get the good bagels before they’re gone. Don’t wanna keep him waiting.”

Ah yes. Mr. Towers, as in Tanner Towers, only the most handsome (and single) actor in Hollywood right now. Any other girl would be dying to get a chance to catch even a glimpse of him, let alone work with him. But I’m here for my career, not to swoon over some hunk who’s probably a cocky *ssh*l*, so I stash away any thoughts of who I’ll be seeing on set as I clip the walkie to my belt and slip on my ear piece. God it feels good to get wired up again. Such a silly thing to miss, but I really did.

“Sure thing Boss Man.” I give him a nod of understanding before heading in the direction of where I spotted the craft services setup when I came in.

“April.” He calls after me. “Good to have you on the team.”

I’m sure he’s said that to every PA he’s had come on board, but I still feel a little pride knowing I at least started off on the right foot.

“Thanks, Boss Man.” I give him a genuine smile. “Happy to be a part of it.” And that’s the truth.

Tanner

Another day in paradise. That’s what I should be thinking as I park my car in my reserved VIP spot out front of the sound stage on the studio lot. But instead, it feels like I’m stuck in a recurring nightmare disguised as the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Don’t get me wrong. I know I lead a charmed life. But lately, it feels like no one ever sees me, just the pretty boy action star.

I really didn’t wanna take this role on Hot Take, but my agent basically forced it on me. I’ve lost count of how many action roles I’ve done, and if I’m being honest, I’ve quit really trying when it comes to putting effort into the characters I’m playing.

Played one bad boy cop, played them all.

This isn’t why I went into acting though, and now, I’m starting to fall out of love with it, which f*ck*ng sucks, because it’s all I’ve ever really loved doing.

I take a deep breath and force myself to get out of my car, trying to focus on just getting through another day. I refuse to be high maintenance, which is why I haul my not so happy *ss out of bed earlier than I’d like so I can get the breakfast I want before the crew demolishes the Crafty set up.

Walking in, I spot somebody already there making sure everything is set up. She’s got her back to me, but I can see the walkie clipped to her belt which means she must be the new PA. Now to see how long she makes it. If she’s replacing Harold, I already know Michelle’s gonna put her through the f*ck*ng wringer.

I can’t see her face, but from behind she’s not too bad to look at, and as I watch her grab my favorite bagel from the pile, the one baked with cheese on it, I get the sudden urge to f*ck with her. A little something to shake up the monotony of this day to day hell I call a career.

It doesn’t seem like she’s noticed me yet, so I sneak up right behind her and lean down.

“I see I’m gonna have to get here even earlier now if I don’t wanna have to fight a pretty thing like you for the good bagels.”

“Holy sh*t!” She jumps slightly and spins around and I have to work to keep my jaw from dropping.

Holy sh*t is right. She’s f*ck*ng gorgeous.

Her hair is thrown up in a messy bun and she’s hardly wearing any makeup, not that she needs any. In fact, she looks like she could be from my hometown, just some laid back, small town chick. And yet, she’s more beautiful than any of the women I’ve met here in Hollywood. Maybe that’s it… she isn’t ‘Hollywood’. She’s just, her.

I’ve never really taken an interest in any of the girls I’ve met out here, but with her, I’m overwhelmed by this sudden need to get to know her. I don’t even know her name yet, but for some reason, I’m pretty sure I’d do f*ck*ng anything to find out everything there is to know about her. And I plan on doing exactly that.

Hello Lovelies and welcome to my latest story! This one holds a very special place in my heart seeing as it has to do with film and I used to work in Hollywood once upon a time. I can't wait to share April and Tanner's romantic whirlwind with you all and to hear what everyone thinks! Make sure you add the book to your library so you know when new chapters are out, and feel free to comment! You can also follow my social media (Facebook.com/WrittenByBCole and @writtenbybcole on Instagram) for updates on all my works! Love & Light Everyone!

April

“I see I’m gonna have to get here even earlier now if I don’t wanna have to fight a pretty thing like you for the good bagels.”

“Holy shit!” I jump and spin and then freeze, because standing there, smelling deliciously like aftershave and leather, is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen… Tanner freakin Towers.

His pictures don’t even come close to doing him justice with his perfectly tousled hair, chiseled jaw that has just the right amount of stubble, and deep chocolate eyes that just sort of suck me in. But there’s something more about him than just his looks, something I can’t quite pinpoint, something that makes me want to know more about him, makes me wanna know who he really is underneath all that Hollywood swagger.

“Shit! Sorry! Didn’t mean to startle you!” He looks genuinely apologetic, not something I was expecting, and his hands are reached out as if he was ready to catch me.

“No, you’re fine. I should have been paying mo