Secrets of My Hollywood Life: There’s No Place Like Home by Jen Calonita Page A

She’s sitting next
     to me, scrolling through her BlackBerry. On the seat between us is her binder, aka the bible, which has my call sheets, measurements,
     and everything else one might need to know about me on the fly. Nadine can’t stop herself from going on. “Everyone is dying
     to know what his post- Avatar series movie is going to be!”
    Ever since Laney got an early copy of the new TV Tome cover story that mentions the Cameron rumors, everyone I know can’t stop thinking about the possibility of me being in his
     next film. I’m trying not to let those thoughts out too often, though, ’cause I’m worried I’ll press my luck. James Cameron
     is on fire. He’s known for creating well-drawn female characters and could get press for reading a phone book. Could I really
     be lucky enough to get called in to read for something he’s doing?
    Nadine goes for overkill. “This could lead to an Oscar nomination!”
    I cover my ears. “Stop! Stop! Don’t get me excited! That rumor might be nothing more than a rumor.”
    HOLLYWOOD SECRET NUMBER FOUR: Sometimes rumors really are just rumors. I know I usually say that where there is smoke there
     is fire, and that’s true a lot. Sometimes the tabloids get a story right months before it breaks. Even celebrities with ironclad confidentiality agreements find that
     their nannies or housekeepers or ex-​boyfriends can find loopholes allowing them to spill the details of their private lives. But sometimes a rumor is nothing more than
     an overeager agent, publicist, spin doctor, or studio higher-up talking about what they want to happen rather than what is
     really happening in Tinseltown. Maybe James Cameron never even called about me. Seth just wants him to and, by putting the
     rumor out there, he’s hoping the phone will ring.
    Nadine gives me a look. One I know well from years of working with her. It means “don’t pretend to be humble when you know
     the real deal.” Her shoulder-length red hair was just trimmed, and it’s layered and trendy. She’s wearing something equally
     hip: a black sweater dress and black knee-high boots. Nadine says she has a hot date tonight, but she’s keeping mum on the
     details so she doesn’t jinx it. “You’re going to get offered that Cameron gig, and you know it!” Nadine says, and then her
     face softens. “I hope you take it. Wherever it’s shooting. You’ve waited your whole life for an offer like this, Kates. You
     deserve it.”
    “Thanks.” I squeeze her hand. “But Seth hasn’t called to say there even is an offer.”
    “I know it’s real,” Nadine says knowledgeably and turns sideways in her seat to talk to me, making the leather squeak. “And
     it’s not the only offer you’re going to get tonight, which is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
    “How do you know?” I ask. I cross and uncross my legs again, praying I don’t crease my black Tahari trousers. Nadine brought
     me a change of clothes to wear to the Polo Lounge. What I had on for the Turkey Tasters event was not business dinner–ready.
     I’ve paired my new pants with an Aryn K plum sateen blouse and gray, snakeskin, peep-toe Prada heels. I spend way too much
     time changing in the back of this car. “Did Laney tell you? You guys seem so tight lately.”
    “You give us a lot to talk about,” Nadine reminds me. “I’ve finally learned Laney isn’t that tough to talk to if you know
     how. Sometimes she has great advice.”
    “On what?” I ask. My diamond chandelier earrings hit the light, and I can see the reflection dancing on Nadine’s face, practically
     blinding her.
    Nadine squints. “Nothing worth discussing now when we have bigger things going on.” She looks at me intently. “You’re going
     to get offers that are equally big and just as enticing as the Cameron one tonight, but do not try to take on more than the one. Don’t overdo it this hiatus, Kates. One major movie is enough. Your hiatus may seem long,
     but