Catherine leaned in with her usual businesslike tone. "Next movie, next movie. Joey, have you thought about it yet? Our new Hollywood darling."
Joey ignored her, casually sipping her coffee while flipping through Variety. That ticked Catherine off. She yanked the magazine away and locked eyes with her. "Come on, spill it. What's the plan? You're officially my top A-list client right now."
Joey just shrugged with a cheeky grin. "Wow, I'm honored to be your A-lister!"
"Cut the sarcasm. Let's be real. Harry Potter's its own thing; you don't need to touch that. Same with Spider-Man. But Pirates of the Caribbean? That could be fun. What do you think? Or if you're not into big franchise sequels, I can dig up some other gigs."
Joey's eyes crinkled when she smiled; she had these cute little half-moon creases under them that made her look sweet and full of life. "Catherine, the more they hype me up, the more I feel like I don't deserve it."
Catherine looked like she'd been struck by lightning. "Are you kidding me right now? You're loaded, you're famous; all of it because you're actually talented. What's there to feel guilty about?"
Joey flopped over on the couch like a bored cat. "I mean, yeah, maybe I've got some talent, but I'm nowhere near the 'genius' level they keep throwing around."
Joey was Catherine's cash cow, so she probed carefully. "What makes you say that?"
Joey stared up at the ceiling. "My craft still isn't there. Scene blocking, working with actors, reading a set; there's so much I'm missing. I saw it plain as day watching Source Code. I've still got a ton of growing to do."
"Everybody's got flaws," Catherine said. "That's why half the A-listers eventually go back to school or take acting classes when they hit a wall."
Joey let out a slow breath. "Yeah… maybe I need to step back and really work on myself for a bit."
Catherine cut her off fast. "Oh no you don't. You're a money-printing machine right now. Sit back, cash the checks, and book a couple more blockbuster franchises. That's the move."
Joey went quiet, lost in her own head.
Wherever Joey went these days, she was the center of attention. Like tonight: she'd shown up to a "private" Christmas party.
It was Christmas, after all. She was on her own; no parents left, Renee was off doing Broadway in New York, and a single girl can't just sit around feeling sorry for herself. So when Jack Hanson invited her to this little get-together, she said sure.
Only when she arrived did she realize how "private" it actually was. Maybe fifteen people tops, all industry insiders who already knew each other.
One of the hosts? Tom Cruise. That's why Jack had dragged her into it.
At the party, Joey wasn't exactly the belle of the ball, but she sure wasn't some nobody either. Producers, directors, big-name actors; everyone wanted a minute with her. They were dying to know what flipped the switch and turned her into this wise, radiant Venus overnight.
What she walked away with most, though, was a purse full of business cards. Everybody; producers, actors; was shoving their card at her, hoping for a future collab.
That's the high of fame: the glory, the ego boost, the rush.
But Joey didn't want any of it. She'd tasted that cocktail years ago, and it had nearly destroyed her. She was done chasing empty flattery.
These same people kissing her ass tonight would kick her to the curb tomorrow if the numbers dipped. Hollywood runs on deals, not feelings.
Her head was clearer now, her focus sharper. She knew exactly what she wanted, and she wasn't getting sucked in again.
Instead of chasing the spotlight, she wanted to level up her actual skills.
"You're pretty popular tonight," a smooth voice said beside her. A guy in a sharp black suit; elegant, effortless charisma, the kind of presence that makes the whole room tilt toward him.
Joey's eyes landed on the black onyx cufflinks glinting at his sleeves. She loved those cufflinks; sleek, unforgettable, pure class.
She smirked. "I'm still playing catch-up to your level of popular, Tom."
Tom placed a hand over his heart and gave a playful little bow. "May I have this dance, ma'am?"
Joey laughed softly. "I'm warning you, I'm a terrible dancer. People might laugh."
"Easy fix. Come with me."
He took her wrist gently and led her away.
They walked down the grand, winding staircase lit up like a dream, purple irises everywhere, massive white columns, waiters in red jackets and white gloves standing at attention. The band in the ballroom struck up the first waltz; crisp, perfect violin notes floating through the air.
But Tom didn't stop there. He guided her out to a quiet terrace instead. Moonlight poured over Joey's shoulders. She was wearing a simple white gown with tiny rosebud details at the hem, a lavender lace shawl draped over her shoulders, pale pink heels that made her legs look a mile long. She even had on white gloves, all three buttons done up. She felt amazing tonight; less casual, more regal. The whole look was flawless, if she did say so herself.
Truth is, from the second she stepped into the room, Tom hadn't been able to take his eyes off her. He kept glancing away on purpose, but she hadn't noticed.
His gaze traced the soft white fabric floating around her like clouds. The dress was perfect on her; tonight she looked polished, radiant, untouchable.
It made him want to dance with her, just once, and keep this version of her frozen in time.
He'd had two failed marriages. The second one lasted a full decade. He still remembered the first time he saw that ex-wife back in 1990. He'd never lied to himself about desire; he heard it loud and clear and went for it.
Right now, staring at the delicate, pale nape of Joey's neck, part of him wanted to snap it like a rose stem, just to possess something so beautiful.
But it wasn't the same raw lust he'd felt back then. Tonight it was different. Tonight he wanted to dance with her, hold this perfect moment, and tuck it away forever.
Under the moonlight, with the faint waltz drifting out to the empty terrace, it felt like the air itself was perfumed.
Following Tom's lead, Joey moved like someone else was guiding her feet; every step graceful, effortless. She had to admit, he was an incredible partner. He pulled her into a world where it was just the two of them.
Tom loved how gentle and gorgeous she felt in his arms. This girl; so much younger than him; was breathtaking tonight, and it stirred something soft he'd kept buried for years.
Meanwhile, Joey's mind was wandering, still turning over how to get better, how to grow.
Tom noticed her drift almost instantly. With a tiny, playful punishment, he tightened his grip on her waist; no way was she going to zone out and act like he wasn't even there.
Joey blinked, startled, and looked up at him.
Her faraway expression made him go serious. "What's got your soul tonight?"
She came back to earth. "I'm just trying to figure out how to keep Hollywood's shiny bullshit from blinding me."
He relaxed the second he realized it wasn't another guy. He chuckled. "So you're looking for a way to step back, recharge, find some clarity?"
Her dark hair fell soft around her face. She smiled. "Exactly."
"Tsk…" He made a little clicking sound. "You want to get out of here for a while because the nights are too seductive and mess with your head?"
She met his eyes; starlight flickering in hers. "Not really. I just know I still have a lot to learn, and making movies right now isn't the fastest way to get there."
He spun her gently by the hand, guiding her through the turn. "If movies can't teach you what you need… then the only thing left is directing a musical on Broadway."
Musical?
A musical!
How had she not thought of that? Staging, actor chemistry, spatial awareness, visualizing sequences; everything she was weak on right now was exactly what Broadway musicals demand. She needed to go work on Broadway!
The waltz kept swirling. Tom slid his arm around her waist again, keeping her close. "If you actually want to direct a musical up there, I can make it happen."
"Seriously?" Her whole face lit up with excitement. "Because I'm definitely interested."
He laughed under his breath. "But first you have to finish this dance with me."
He didn't know her exact age, but he knew the gap was huge. If it weren't for that, maybe… just maybe… there could've been something.
He got her appeal completely. It was that relentless drive, the wild talent, the refusal to give up no matter how low she'd started. She was just like him.
That's why he was drawn to her.
Tonight, he'd let himself feel it; just this once.