Star Struck

By Andrea Hershey

An introverted author falls for a B-list actor, and his skyrocketing fame transforms their lives.

Bestselling author Alison feels like a spectator in her own life. She's moved to Los Angeles from a quiet Eastern town, looking for success in the film industry. But she's been plagued with disappointments, both professionally and personally—until she meets Justin. 

When the struggling actor relentlessly pursues her, she reluctantly gives in, sure it will end in heartache. Promises don't mean anything in Hollywood, and the pressure of the movie industry is notorious for destroying relationships. Their casual romance quickly binds them together in ways she never expected. As his career takes off, the tension between them builds, and she braces for goodbye. Will she let happiness slip away, or fight for the man she's afraid to love? 

This romantic short is a standalone story with no cliffhanger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Artesian Well Publishing
• Release date: Dec 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386878674

Book preview

Chapter 1

Isit at the head of the table, the polished walnut reflecting pools of candlelight. Harry is at the foot, happy to be taking Ben’s place. Harry is my agent, and my father’s age, so Ben’s place at the table is all he’ll be taking. But Harry likes looking out for me.

Veronica is talking, as inevitable as death. Her thick blond hair, molded into curls, sits too still on her head. Roni is my assistant. With her master’s in fine arts degree now in hand, she’s weeks away from leaving for a teaching job in Austin. I’m looking forward to the quiet.

"You know, I wouldn’t have dreamed of sending that story to Glimmer Train, except Alison said..."

I perk up at the sound of my name. "I said what?"

But Roni has already changed the subject.

My eyes wander to Justin Sterling, her date, who’s staring into the centerpiece and wearing a crooked smile. Everything else about his face is perfectly symmetrical. He’s an actor—not a waiter aspiring to be an actor, but an actual one, with television credits and a few small movie roles to his name. Roni showed me his IMDb listing. Proof, when so much of what Los Angeles offers is illusion.

Harry’s voice rises strong from his former college quarterback body. "Allie, I need to introduce you to Christophe St. Claire next time he’s in town. I think I could talk him into optioning Midnight Moonlight. Last screenplay adaptation he did won an Oscar."

Harry never gives up. Midnight Moonlight was my debut novel, and it’s been optioned three times. I’ve stopped hoping for a movie deal. A better candidate is Remember Me When You Dance. It’s more action oriented.

The caterer clears the entrees, his reflection perfectly in step. One wall of the dining room is mirrored—it was that way when I bought the condo—and I’ve developed the bad habit of watching people’s reflections instead of looking directly at them.

After dessert, we gather in the living room. I notice Justin carefully avoiding Roni. I’m writing a short story about them in my mind, another bad habit. But I sympathize with Justin.

I order a martini from the bartender—it seems the perfect accessory for my black sheath dress and upswept hair. All I need is a cigarette holder, though I don’t smoke. I have few vices, in fact; Ben was one, but I ended things with him six months ago. My life is peaceful now, unbearably so. I live too much in my head.

Justin approaches, having slipped away from Roni. He leans against the bar and says in my ear, How can you work when she’s here?

With him just inches away, I wonder how anyone could look that good in real life. The plucked brows, the white teeth are part of the Hollywood package; but his eyes, his cheekbones, the strong curve of his chin are gifts from God.

I