Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [2]
Brenna shrugged. “It's only an audition. I'm to read for the casting director, Josh Hernandez.” Her composure cracked, and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Oh, Vivian, I'm so nervous.”
Vivian patted her on the shoulder. “You'll do just fine,” she said bracinglv. “You're good, Brenna, really good.”
“There are hundreds of talented actresses in this town,” Brenna said gloomily. “And most of them are out of work.”
Vivian nodded sympathetically. “It's a competitive business,” she said. “I doubt you would even make it past the first receptionist at Donovan's casting office without a personal introduction. I had no idea Charles knew Michael Donovan.”
“Neither did I,” Brenna replied. “I don't think he wanted to trade on the association. That's why it's so important that I do well at the reading. I can't let him down after he went to the trouble of asking for a special favor from Mr. Donovan.”
She moistened her lips nervously, and then straightened her shoulders. “Well, they can only turn me down,” she said with bravado. She flashed a quick smile at the older woman. “Wish me luck?”
“Break a leg, Brenna,” Vivian said.
Giving a quick kiss on the top of Randy's silky head, Brenna left.
It was only as she was maneuvering her ancient gray Honda out of the apartment complex parking lot that she allowed her thoughts to turn back to the interview ahead.
When Charles had told her what he had arranged for her and handed her the script for Wild Heritage, she had been stunned. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined a chance to audition for Donovan. Charles had been almost childishly pleased at her surprise. He explained gruffly that Donovan had been a student of his quite some years before and they still kept in casual contact.
“When I read that Michael had bought the book Wild Heritage, I knew you'd be perfect for Angie,” he said simply. He patted her on the shoulder awkwardly. “Do me proud, Brenna.”
Wild Heritage centered around the character of Angie Linden, a complex young woman struggling to overcome her promiscuous past. It had everything: pathos, humor, and an underlying hint of tragedy. Any actress would give her eyeteeth for the role, and Brenna was frankly skeptical of such a plum being awarded to an unknown. If Charles Wilkes had not been so insistent, she wouldn't have even consented to go for the reading. But she could not disappoint him after all he had done for her.
The address Charles had given her was in downtown Los Angeles, and when she located it, she was surprised to find it was a modest two-story brick building with a discreet plaque reading DONOVAN ENTERPRISES LTD. Rather an unimposing establishment for a man of Donovan's reputed flamboyance, she thought, as she parked in front of the building. After putting coins in the meter, she entered the swinging glass doors. A smiling receptionist directed her to Studio B on the second floor.
Studio B was actually a small theater with a raised stage and several rows of padded velvet seats. Two seats near the door were occupied by a short, dark-haired man in his thirties and a casually dressed red-haired woman of about her own age. The man rose to his feet as she entered, picking up a clipboard from the seat next to him.
“Miss Sloan?” His smile was quick, charging his thin, clever face with warmth. “Josh Hernandez, and this is my assistant, Billie Perkins.” The red-haired woman smiled in acknowledgment of Brenna's nod. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Brenna relaxed slightly, and drew a deep breath of relief. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all. Josh Hernandez was far from the cigar-smoking, beady-eyed executive of her nervous imagination.
A smile lit her face, and Josh Hernandez caught his breath involuntarily. God, he hadn't seen a smile like that since Audrey Hepburn.
“I'm very happy to meet you, Mr. Hernandez,” she said shyly. Then