How to Land a Movie Star novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Gate

We drove to Laurel Canyon at five in the morning in Marj's ancient Buick.

The photographer sat in the back seat holding his laptop on his knees.

The guard knew me.

He looked at the three of us through the window for a long time.

Then he picked up the phone.

The gate swung open before he finished dialing.

Corin was standing at the top of the drive in yesterday's henley, with his arms at his sides and his face the color of paper.

He had not slept.

Neither had the grey mug in his hand, which was cold.

"I called you a dozen times," he said.

"I know. I couldn't pick up."

"I wanted to say it right."

"Say what?"

"Let them talk first."

Marj sized him up with her gum.

"I'll sit in the car," she said. "Don't kiss in front of the witness."

Corin took us into the kitchen without a word.

The counter was bare and clean, and I could not look at it.

The photographer set his laptop down and pressed play.

The three of us watched a green grainy woman in sequins hit the gate with her fist.

Corin watched for a long moment.

Then he put the grey mug down very gently.

"Four years ago," he said, "Saskia sold a magazine one detail about me. That I cry in my sleep."

"Did you?"

"I did. I do."

He stared at the screen.

"Only she knew it. She sold it for eleven thousand dollars and a cover. I found it in a grocery store."

I put my hand over my mouth.

"When she came to the gate I didn't open it, because I knew what she would say."

"That she's sorry."

"That it's different now."

He looked at me, finally.

"I let you in at 12:55 because I wasn't thinking about her at all."

The photographer was staring at the floor.

"It isn't your fault," Corin said to him, not unkindly. "Delete nothing. Give your phone to Marj."

"Yes, sir."

"And stop calling me sir."

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