Starstruck In Seattle Read online

  STARSTRUCK IN SEATTLE

  www.escapepublishing.com.au

  Starstruck in Seattle

  Juliet Madison

  A sparkling story from the Queen of Ro-magic comedy!

  Aspiring actress Anna Hilford might only have a small role in a leading television drama, but she longs to be dreamboat Karl Drake’s leading lady. Sick of being loveless and overlooked, Anna seeks the help of intuitive love coach, Lulu, from LuluTheLoveAngel.com to give her the courage and determination to follow her destiny.

  But fate has different ideas, Lulu has undisclosed power, and Anna is about to realise that life happens while you’re busy making plans. . .

  About the Author

  Juliet Madison is a naturopath-turned-author with a background in dance, art, internet marketing and perfume sales (yes, she was one of those annoying people in department stores who spray you with perfume). Nowadays she prefers to indulge her propensity for multiple careers by living vicariously through her characters. She likes to put these characters into extraordinary situations and take them on a challenging journey to discover their true passion and inner strength, weaving in some laughs, tears, romance and sometimes a touch of magic along the way.

  Living near the beach on the beautiful south coast of New South Wales, Australia, Juliet spends her days homeschooling her son and running her internet business, and her nights writing fiction while doing her best to avoid housework.

  Juliet is a proud member of the Romance Writers of Australia and she loves to interact online with readers and writers. You can contact her on Twitter @Juliet_Madison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JulietMadisonAuthor, and through her website at http://www.julietmadison.com, where readers can also download some free short stories.

  Acknowledgements

  I’d like to say thanks to my beta readers who gave valuable feedback on this manuscript before publication; Sarah Belle, Natasha Devereux, Kristy Atkinson, and Caroline Praed. A special thank you to the other Anna from Seattle for your thorough manuscript critique and for helping me with Seattle authenticity (I hope I’ve done it justice!). Thanks also to Alysha Ellis for coming up with the winning suggestion for a unique swear word just for angels!

  Once again, many thanks to Managing Editor, Kate Cuthbert and the team at Escape Publishing/Harlequin Australia for bringing this story to the market, my editor Gabrielle Maait, and my critique partners Alli Sinclair and Diane Curran for your ongoing support. Lastly, thanks always to Mum and Dad, Jayden, my family and friends, and my readers for supporting my work.

  To Nora Ephron. R.I.P.

  Contents

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…

  1

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: I need your help

  Dear Lulu,

  I can’t believe I’m actually writing this letter, but your advice would be greatly appreciated. I’ve heard you’re the go-to person to help bring soulmates together and I hope you’ll be able to help me connect with mine.

  A psychic once told me my soulmate’s name begins with K, and I think I’ve found him. We’ve been working together as actors for six months, but his role’s more important and we hardly get a chance to speak together privately. Every time we pass each other at work, every time he smiles at me, every time we chat about the upcoming twists in the script, I feel so alive. I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone before, it’s like there’s an invisible cord connecting us. Should I wait for him to make the first move or take a risk and ask him out?

  The thing is; I don’t have much time. My contract will be up in a few weeks. I’ll have to find another job and I don’t want to waste the time I have left. How can I show my interest without looking desperate and blending in with the other women falling at his feet? And do you agree with the psychic – does my soulmate’s name begin with a K?

  Many thanks,

  Star Struck in Seattle

  “And. . .action!” The director’s voice shot through the air like a missile and Anna exploded into character, straightening her spine and swiftly picking up the telephone.

  “Seattle General Hospital Maternity Ward, how can I help you?”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, Karl Drake – aka Dr. Jack Harper – slammed his fist on the nurses’ station countertop, the muscles in his arms bulging beneath his white coat. “I will not give up on her, damn it!” His outburst met with crossed arms from his colleague, Dr. Freeman, and the phone slipped from Anna’s grasp, landing with a loud clunk on the desk.

  “Cut!” The director jabbed a finger toward Anna. “Don’t drop the phone this time. Look shocked, yes, but don’t drop the phone.”

  Anna shifted on the spot. “But, wouldn’t it make the scene more realistic? I think it would show my. . . shocked-ness better if I dropped it, don’t you agree?” She turned with raised eyebrows to Charlie and Vera, fellow extras and nurses on New Lives, the hit television show shooting its fifth and final season. They nodded.

  “I agree,” Charlie said. “And maybe I could drop this chart.” He held up a clipboard with paper attached.

  The director held his palms up toward them. “No. It’ll distract the viewer from Karl’s moment. You,” he pointed at Anna, “just look shocked, and you,” he pointed at Charlie, “glance up from the chart and whisper into the other nurse’s ear, as if you’re asking what Dr. Harper’s talking about. That’s all. Got it? Now. . .action!”

  Anna repeated her phone script and Karl’s fist assaulted the countertop again, causing a pen to roll off to the floor. “I will not give up on her, damn it!”

  “Cut! Someone stick that pen to the countertop, and,” the director pointed to Anna, “you looked over-shocked. Subtlety is an art, girl, learn it. From the top. . .action!”

  After seventeen takes and about as many eye-rolls from tired members of the camera crew, the scene was finally wrapped up, and Jake the Jerk Director turned away to instruct an actress on how to realistically collapse without hurting herself. Charlie strode toward Anna with a pointed finger and fierce glare, mocking the director’s earlier actions. Laughter burst from her lungs and she covered her mouth as the director turned back.

  “Why are you still hanging about? Get ready for the next scene, shoo!” He flicked his bony hands toward them and they left the bright lights of the nurses’ station for the dimly lit delivery room, where set stylists busily arranged machines and tubes, and an actress slouching in a pregnant-suit complained about having to wait “forever” for her scene.

  Anna took the opportunity to mentally plan her evening – heat up a frozen dinner, pack away the results of her shopping spree from yesterday (and work out how to pay her credit card bill), then relax on the sofa with popcorn and a DVD. No stress.

  Her breath caught in her throat as Karl entered and the room seemed to brighten, though the lighting crew had not yet arrived to set up. He greeted the fake pregnant woman, whose posture straightened and bored expression transformed to one of anticipation. Karl had that effect on women.

  Especially Anna.

  “Great work before,” he said to her, a dark strand of hair falling over his equally dark left eye. “For what it’s worth, I think your idea about dropping the phone was good.” He ran a hand through his hair, returning the rogue strand to its rightful place. Anna sigh
ed, wishing it was her hand running through it. Running down his neck, across his strong jaw line, her thumb trailing over his inviting lips. . .

  “. . .don’t you think?” Karl’s eyes fixated on hers.

  “Huh?” Anna’s fantasy dissolved and her cheeks burned. She hadn’t heard his question. God, I’m an idiot!

  “I said, though Jake’s a tool sometimes, he’s good at his job, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, of course. The show wouldn’t be what it is without him.” Or you.

  Karl nodded and smiled. The warm, heady scent of his aftershave drifted around her nostrils and she resisted the urge to lean in for a closer whiff. Karl glanced at his watch. “Let’s hope we get an early-mark tonight, eh? It is the end of the week and I don’t want to be stuck on set like last Friday night when I could be out enjoying myself.” A smile curved up the sides of his mouth.

  “Let’s hope.” Anna’s heart pumped rapidly and she parted her lips, words hesitating on the edge of her tongue.

  Should I just ask him out? Now?

  Vera giggled near the oxygen tank beside the hospital bed as Charlie pretended to gasp for breath, while the fake pregnant woman practiced her labor panting.

  Karl was right next to her. His chest rose and fell, hers paused in indecision. Friday night in front of the TV, or the thrill of something new?

  Go on, ask him! An informal drink after work.

  She licked her dry lips.

  Maybe I should wait for Lulu’s advice. Or maybe not.

  “Karl –”

  “Okay, let’s get this party started.” Jake the Jerk walked in and clapped his hands, followed by the lighting and camera crew. He ushered everyone to their positions, Karl accompanying the patient on one side of the bed and Anna on the other side accompanying the oxygen tank.

  “And. . .action!”

  Anna sighed. At this rate, she certainly wouldn’t be getting any of that.

  2

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: Re: I need your help

  Dear Star Struck in Seattle,

  Thank you for having the courage to write your letter and faith in me to guide you toward the love you deserve.

  Firstly, you must believe yourself worthy of true love, and treat yourself with the respect you would want another to treat you with. Don’t settle for second best, don’t put yourself down, and don’t sacrifice your deepest desires to please another. All happy relationships come from a happy relationship with oneself.

  In answer to your question about whether to ask K out, I feel if you choose to do so you would be met with a ‘yes’, but I also feel it is best to hold off. I believe a proposition is coming your way very soon, and you need to remain open and aware of ALL possibilities.

  My advice is to put yourself out there and don’t be afraid of judgment or rejection. Be proactive about seeking other work and trust that in good time all things will conspire in your favor. True love is on its way, but you need to listen to and trust your intuition. It will lead you in the right direction. Also remember: you will know you are with your soulmate when you can simply be yourself. Your soulmate will bring the best out in you. They will enhance the beauty and uniqueness already there. True love will make you feel like the best version of yourself is shining bright.

  Lastly, I’d like to leave you with a Love Quote chosen especially for you:

  “The eyes see only in front, the heart sees all around. Use your ‘heart-vision’ to guide you.”

  Love,

  Lulu

  P.S. Your psychic was right. Your soulmate’s name does begin with the letter K.

  Lulu clicked ‘send’ and smiled. She opened a new message window, filled in the details of her mission, and sent it to New Angel HQ on Cloud Eight and Three Quarters. If this and subsequent missions went well, she’d be upgraded to Cloud Nine in no time.

  Lulu rubbed her hands together as her red laptop hummed softly. Bringing soulmates together would be so rewarding and she was excited about her first day on the job. Even more excited knowing that one day, if she proved herself capable; she’d join the graduates on Cloud Nine and be responsible for saving people’s lives when death tried to take them before their time. For now, though, she needed to practice her skills and do her best to help destiny get things right in the love department.

  Ooh, this is going to be fun!

  She closed her laptop and slid it inside its protective satchel, placing it next to her ‘ready-to-go-at-a-moment’s-notice’ suitcase. With a quick breath she snuffed the flames on the dining table candles and picked up Spark, her snow-colored Maltese terrier, from his curled-up position on the sofa. He moaned at the intrusion, but promptly fell back to sleep after Lulu guided him inside the doggie carry-case. “Time for a little trip, Spark.” Lulu crouched, her long brown curls coiling on the floor as she secured the clasp on the carry case. “You and I are off to Seattle.”

  3

  “L.A.?” Anna paused by the fountain in Westlake Park, iPhone against her ear. “I’d prefer something closer to Seattle, but I guess. . .” She considered her agent’s proposition that it was time to try out for bigger roles in Los Angeles. Any aspiring actress would jump at an opportunity to work in L.A., but this held two problems for Anna:

  1. Rachel lived in L.A. She’d barely been in contact with her sister in ten years, and the thought of bringing up the past was almost as bad as the second reason for not wanting to go to L.A.

  2. Karl was a hot favorite for the lead role in a new show about a family law firm, set in Seattle. Which meant he’d be staying put.

  Besides, L.A. was saturated with wannabe stars and there was no guarantee she’d make it big. She didn’t even know if she wanted to make it big. The media would be forever comparing her to her Oscar-nominated sister and she wasn’t sure she could live up to the great Rachel Hilford. But Lulu’s response on her website two days ago had advised Anna to put herself out there. She craved a new acting challenge, and couldn’t put her life on hold for some guy, even if he was potentially the love of her life.

  Anna chewed her bottom lip and pondered the options. “Okay. Put me down for anything.” She could always decline an audition or offer if necessary, nothing was set in stone yet. “But if there’s anything closer let me know. Thanks, Jean.”

  Anna walked through Westlake, scooted across 4th Avenue, and right into Pike Street where pedestrians moved faster than traffic. Ten minutes later the elevator dinged and doors opened to Milton Tower’s third floor. Thanks to convenient family connections, the production company had gained permission to lease it for the New Lives set.

  Vera waved from across the hall and Charlie flashed his trademark glowing smile, tapping his watch and playfully shaking his head at her ‘almost-lateness’. Anna was always last to arrive on set. She hated waiting around, sitting still and twiddling her thumbs. Did enough of that in between scenes. Besides, Karl shared her propensity for arriving just-in-time and if she was lucky they’d chat briefly on the way up in the elevator.

  Unfortunately, her phone call this morning had made her later than usual and Karl was already deep in conversation with Jake the Jerk by the coffee stand. Butterflies flapped and collided in her belly as she approached, Karl looking gorgeous with his brow furrowed in concentration. Jake motioned with his hands, demonstrating a certain action for a scene.

  “Here you go, Anna.” A woman with extremely long curly hair thrust a cardboard cup into Anna’s hands. “Enjoy!”

  Warmth ran through her fingers as she curved them around the cup. “Oh. But I haven’t ordered yet.” She slid the cup across the counter toward the woman, whose eyes sparkled. She must be a new member of the catering team. “I usually have a –”

  “Soy hot chocolate,” the woman said. “Hot, frothy, and just for you.” She slid the cup back to Anna and smiled. Her super-white teeth gave Charlie a run for his money.

  “How did you. . .” Anna picked up the drink. �
�Never mind. Thank you.” She raised the cup in appreciation and smiled. One of the other caterers must have told her what she liked, unless. . .could it have been Karl? Or was that wishful thinking? He knew she drank soy, because his hot chocolate had been mixed up with hers once and he’d spluttered at the difference in taste.

  “Here’s your second helping.” The woman handed a cup to Jake who tossed his old one in the trash before accepting the new one. “Black with three sugars.”

  Anna chewed her bottom lip again, this time in curiosity as she thought she’d seen the woman do some kind of strange hand gesture over Jake’s coffee before handing it to him – like a magician would do over his hat before pulling out a rabbit. Strange. Then again, maybe she was simply waving away a bug or a fallen strand of hair.

  Anna sipped her drink and went to walk toward Charlie and Vera, but a hand grasped her arm. She turned to face Jake.

  “I have an idea,” he said. “And you’re going to be a part of it.”

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later Anna stood close to Charlie in the makeshift hospital corridor, following Jake’s direction to act like lovers. The idea was that the ex-girlfriend of Karl’s character would see them canoodling and wish she had what they had. This would – according to the updated script – cause her to consider giving her relationship with Dr. Harper another shot. The producers wanted the doctor couple reunited by the end of the series, ending it on a high note. Their on-screen relationship had been the ‘Ross and Rachel’ of the hospital drama, always on-again, off-again.

  “Action!” the director called.

  Charlie slipped his arms around Anna’s waist as the camera followed Dr. Harper’s ex along the corridor toward the lovesick couple. The doctor paused and smiled longingly at them, and another camera closed in on Anna and Charlie.

  “I can’t wait till our shifts are over,” Charlie whispered, tracing Anna’s hairline with his finger, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.