Acting Normal

By Alison Wilhelm

Twenty-eight-year-old Abby Wood loathes celebrities. Unfortunately, she lives in New York City, where the flashes of their perfect smiles are everywhere. All she wants to do is write a novel and live a relatively drama-free life.

While spending another weekend at Lous Caf typing on her trusty laptop and dreaming of a better life, Abby crosses paths with drop-dead gorgeous actor Logan West. Desperate to escape a pack of screaming female fans, Logan comes into Lous to hide and then sits down at her table. Before she knows it, Abby is being whisked off in a car with a man who soon makes it clear that he is attracted to her. Although Abby does her best to keep Logan at arms length, it isnt long before he works his way into her lifeand her heart. Now she must decide whether she can remain true to herself and her passion for writing while becoming involved with a man who embodies everything she dislikes.

In this contemporary romance, a novelist standing at a crossroads in life faces the biggest choice of her life as her destiny awaits her next move.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jun 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781480801103

Alison Wilhelm

Alison Wilhelm earned a degree in communications from Westfield State College. She currently resides in her hometown of Southbridge, Massachusetts, with her husband and two children.

Book preview

chapter 1

To say that I hated celebrities was an understatement. I loathed them. Living in New York City didn’t make matters any better because they were everywhere. Flashes of their perfect smiles. Yes, they were semi-talented, but apparently looks will get you everywhere. Not that I would know. All I wanted to do was write my book and get the hell out.

Morning, I said to Amber, putting my coffee down on my desk.

Morning, she said wearily from behind her computer. "I am so glad it’s Friday."

Me too, I sighed. It had been a long week at the New York Gazette. Amber and I created ads for the paper, and that week had been particularly insane.

We still on for tonight? Amber asked.

Absolutely.

We had decided to have a girl’s night in at my tiny walkup apartment.

What should I bring? Amber asked.

Just yourself. I have some movies, wine, and takeout menus. I think we’re good, I said grabbing a stack of to-be-done ads.

Sweet, Amber said. Kimmie coming? She rocks.

You betcha.

Kimmie was my neighbor, completely hysterical and by far the most outgoing of the three of us.

Did you work on your story last night? Amber asked.

Nope, I was sound asleep by eleven. I’ll work on it this weekend.

Ever since I started writing people badgered me about it.

No sooner had I sat down, than Evelyn came in. She worked in the sales department and always looked a second away from snapping. She had in her hand an ad I had created. Amber and I rolled our eyes simultaneously.

Did you do my ad? Evelyn asked.

Yup, why? I asked staring at my computer screen.

Well, she said in her most hassled tone. "Am I not making myself clear with my notes?"

Apparently not, I said. Amber stifled a giggle.

"Well, I wanted you to put this here and this here," she said indicating changes that were very confusing to read. I just nodded.

Whatever bitch I thought.

"And could you please put check marks on what you have corrected because you missed one."

One out of fifteen? How dare I?

Yup, no problem, I said as sweetly as I could possibly muster.

I was so angry when Evelyn finally left that Amber took me outside for a cigarette break.

Don’t let her bother you, Amber said. She doesn’t know how to approach things.

I took a drag off my cigarette. How is it that she is in sales? She must intimidate the crap out of people to get them to advertise.

Thankfully that was the last time I had to deal with her that day. Even my boss felt bad for me because Evelyn was such a pill.

Later that night, our little get together was in full swing. Kimmie was already there when Amber came over. Kimmie was a beautiful redhead with big brown eyes. Amber was tall and tanned with shiny light brown hair. She could have been a model. Then there was me. Black hair, pale skin and green eyes. We made a very diverse threesome.

My apartment was cramped, but there was enough room for the three of us.

So, ladies, Kimmie said. What’s on tap for tonight?

I grabbed a few DVDs I had set aside for the evening’s entertainment. "Let’s see, we have The Holiday, one called Breaking Even, it looked good at the time, and the old standby, Bridget Jones."

Jones! Kimmie and Amber said in unison.

For dinner we have these fabulous takeout choices, I said imitating a French chef. China Buffet, the Pizza Palace and a new Thai place. We decided on Thai and placed our order.

"Let me see that Breaking Even movie, Kimmie said. Oh, he is a hottie," she said about the actor in the film.

I guess, I said not looking up as I flipped through a magazine. Amber laughed.

You are so cynical when it comes to Hollywood.

I just don’t understand it. I shrugged. Yeah, it’s great that they can provide the rest of us with an escape from reality but they get way too much money for it. Just because they look good? It’s ridiculous! They should try real jobs.

Amen, sister, Kimmie said. She was a nanny and hated it.

We gorged ourselves on Thai food and wine and talked in circles about anything and everything that came into our half-inebriated minds. We had started Breaking Even, but weren’t really paying attention.

Kimmie had brought over a few tabloids, which were her guilty pleasure.

Check this out… Kimmie slurred. That hootttiee Logan West. It says ‘West’s Newest IT Girl. West seems to loves his tiny leading ladies…’

I half-grunted, half-laughed when I saw the picture. She looks like she hasn’t eaten in a year!

No shit, Amber said. "How is it even possible to be that thin?"

Shush. Kimmie said. Uh-hem, as I was saying ‘West and his newest leading lady seem to be hitting it off in Curacao…’

What the hell do I care if two pretty morons are getting it on in the tropics? I asked, rolling my eyes. Am I there? No. I am here, drinking and having a ball with my girls. Now drop that rag and let’s do something that requires whatever brain cells we have left.

Amber broke out the cards and we played a few rounds of Pitch. Our little party disbanded around 1 a.m. Kimmie went back to her place down the hall and Amber just crashed on my couch.

I woke up at ten, and Amber had already left. She was meeting up with her boyfriend to talk, which they did a lot. He was a total jerk.

I took a nice relaxing shower, got dressed, grabbed my laptop and headed out to Lou’s Cafe for breakfast.

Looking at my surroundings, I wasn’t so much walking as thinking.

When I decided to move to New York, I thought about how fun it would be. I convinced myself that the move would open so many doors for my career. I told myself that this would be the best thing that ever happened to me.

I was wrong.

Once here, I picked up a position at a local newspaper, where working soon became all I lived for. As a writer in New York, I was a dime a dozen, so I had to fall back on my graphic skills and write on the side. I worked over fifty hours a week and had a one-bedroom apartment in a shady neighborhood to show for it. But at least I was working, which was more than I could do back home.

Everything back home was about technology and who you knew. I was artistic and quiet. I was different, and it took me a long time to realize that being different wasn’t a bad thing. I had tried fitting in and had gone through all the phases - the preppy phase (tried cheerleading), the skater phase (minus the board) and I was now exiting a semi-emo phase at twenty-eight.

Every weekend I spent hours at Lou’s Café, typing. Lou didn’t seem to mind, probably because I drank a lot of coffee and we always chatted. It was a bit of a hike but the walk gave me time to collect my thoughts, or to just space out and relax. That day I was doing the latter.

I was nearly there when I noticed a big crowd in front of the Four Seasons hotel.

Whatever, I thought.

As I was trying to squeeze through the gathering crowd, I was pushed off the sidewalk by mass of squealing girls. There were hordes of people, so it must’ve been someone good. The noise was deafening, bouncing off the buildings.

I put on my iPod and kept heading to Lou’s, walking to the beat of Aerosmith.

Ja-ja-jaded… went through my ears, and out of my mouth quietly.

I could feel someone’s eyes on me from the gaggle of girls. Looking up I met the eyes of some celebrity from one movie or another, who was practically being mauled by the girls.

What was his name?

I think I was the only person in a five-mile radius not freaking out.

I kept going, walked into Lou’s and sat at my regular table next to the window where I did my best work or at least could think clearest. Lou waved when I came in. It was empty except for Lou and me.

What would you like today, Abs? Lou asked, wiping his hands on a towel.

Umm…how about an espresso and a bagel? I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.

You got it, Lou said from behind the counter as he got to work on my order. Did you see all those people out there this morning?

How can you miss it? I asked, taking my laptop out of the dilapidated bag that had become its home.

Must be a big one, Lou said, rolling his eyes, meaning a celebrity. He felt the same way about them as I did, especially since he had been working his ass off at the coffee shop for thirty years. Lou brought over my bagel and espresso, which I gulped down.

Easy, hon, Lou said. You are going to be bouncing off the walls!

Just as I started typing, the door flew open and a guy rushed in. He was completely out of breath and startled us.

Hi, he said to Lou. Can I hide in here?

Lou looked baffled and looked at me.

Don’t look at me, that’s your call.

As long as you’re not running from the cops.

The guy laughed. No.

Sure, why not? Can I get you something? Lou asked.

Umm…whatever she’s having, he said.

Lou went back behind the counter with a shrug.

The guy looked over at me, and I realized it was the same guy I had seen earlier through the mass of screaming girls.

He sat down next to me, and I tried to ignore him. I hated being interrupted when trying to type. That day I knew what I wanted to write and was on a mission to get it all down before I lost it.

What are you writing? the guy asked, nodding toward my screen.

I wouldn’t worry about that, I said and pointed out the window, where a group of girls had just noticed my new companion.

Shit.

Look, buddy, I said as calmly as possible. There is a back door. I am sure you can call someone and have them meet you there. It’s an alley, so no one would really notice.

He looked at me, apparently taken aback. He whipped out his phone and called a man named Jack.

Now, where do I go? he asked.

Oh for crying out loud, I said. I hit save, closed my laptop and sighed. I am never getting this done. Come on.

Here ya go Lou. I’ll be back later, I said handing him some money.

Good luck, he said.

I led the guy through the tiny kitchen to the back door just as the front door opened and what sounded like a hundred girls poured in. Lou was cool and tried to stall. I could hear him saying, Good morning ladies, can I help you.

Where is the guy that was just in here? one of them asked excitedly.

What guy? Lou asked. It was just my writer girl today, sorry.

Meanwhile, I led the guy to the back door where an enormous, black, gas-guzzling SUV pulled up.

Ridiculous. I thought. Who needs a car like that for one person?

The guy jumped in and motioned for me to do the same. I did, though it was not something I would normally do. Of course, dealing with those silly girls was not something I had on my agenda either.

The driver turned, Where to?

The guy was unsure.

Could you drop me at my place? I said and gave him the address.

Sure thing, the driver said, plugging it into his GPS and took off.

The guy turned. Um, hi I’m Logan.

Hey, Abby, I said and shook his hand. We both laughed.

Wow, that was wild, Logan said, running his hand through his hair.

I had to agree. Never had I seen anyone being chased like that.

People are crazy.

Shouldn’t you have a bodyguard or something? I asked.

I have one, but he was at the other end of the line. One of the girls grabbed me, I freaked and ran. Logan said. So, uh, you know who I am then? he asked, seemingly embarrassed.

I thought a minute, trying to remember where I had seen him. Not really. You must be famous because people are practically attacking you, and I think I may have seen you before, not sure where though.

Probably on TV or something. I was in a few movies.

Groovy, I said doing my best I’m impressed reaction. He was cute though; light brown hair, hazel eyes, tall and athletic looking. Not bad.

You can pull over here, I said to the driver.

We were in front of the tall, brick, pretty shabby apartment building I called home. Logan seemed a bit uncomfortable in the neighborhood, even though his SUV probably had bulletproof glass.

Let me walk you up, Logan said.

You want to walk me up? I laughed and raised my eyebrows. Sure, come on in. You want to come too? I asked the driver sarcastically. He said he would wait.

Logan tentatively looked around and pulled his blue hoodie over his head. Just in case, he said.

I thanked the driver for going out of his way and headed for the door.

Hey Jimmy, I said to a man on the stairs. I couldn’t grab your bagel, but here’s $10. Lou will be happy to see you.

Jimmy was an older man, scruffy and holding a cup for change. He was wearing a moth-eaten wool coat and looked as though he hadn’t showered in a month. He was a great man, a war Vet, but not getting much in the way of help.

Thanks Abs, Jimmy said with a wink. You’re the best.

Yeah yeah, just get to the shelter tonight ok?

Jimmy stood up and saluted. Yes ma’am.

Logan followed me inside.

So, you know that guy? he asked.

Jimmy? Yeah. He’s a sweetie, just down on his luck you know?

Logan seemed surprised. That was nice of you.

I shrugged. Jimmy’s awesome. He has the greatest stories. Sometimes we sit and talk for hours. He was in Vietnam and…sorry, I laughed. I’m rambling.

No, Logan said. Well maybe a little, but I think it’s great.

We headed up the stairs. Two floors up, Logan asked, Which floor do you live on again?

Sixth. We don’t have an elevator.

Logan stopped, and then started up again, Good exercise.

You could see it that way. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

Once we finally reached my landing, I headed down the hall. Logan followed.

You don’t have to see me in. I can find it.

I’m sure you can, he said but continued to follow me.

I was baffled.

What is with this guy?

Listen, you’re not some kind of psycho killer, right? I asked eyeing him suspiciously.

He laughed. Not that I know of.

After I unlocked two locks and a bolt, we went in. It was a tiny, one bedroom apartment, but clean with a funky ‘70’s vibe. I was glad I had picked up the mess from the night before.

This is the living room slash dining room, I said, standing in the middle of the small space. That is the kitchen and the bathroom and bedroom are over there.

Logan looked around. It’s nice. Uh…cozy, he said, fighting to find the right words.

Yeah well, on my salary, I’m lucky I am not out there with Jimmy.

What do you do?

I work at a newspaper doing graphics. But hopefully, if I can ever finish this book I can get out of here, I said and patted the laptop bag flung over my shoulder. Well, thanks for walking me up. You are probably busy, so have a good one, I said, putting the bag down on the table.

Are you kicking me out? he asked jokingly.

No, I said. "But your poor