Fast Lane | ✔️

1

Ch1

"Congratulations, Claire! A well-deserved recognition for you."

"You're definitely on the map now, right up there with the best of the best!"

"Be prepared for this win to take you places, young lady!"

Claire Ryan smiled graciously as well-wishers offered their praise. Her latest movie, a film adaption of the novel Down Came the Rain, was critically acclaimed and had just won her a prestigious movie award. The approvals were coming in fast and furious.

"Amazing job, Ms. Ryan! Your movie is wonderful."

"Thank you." Claire smiled demurely at the passerby. "I'm so happy you enjoyed it."

At twenty-one, Claire was a class act. Having been in the entertainment industry since childhood, she knew how to play the Hollywood game yet still felt uncomfortable with the attention that came along with it. Acting was her life, she couldn't imagine doing anything different, yet adapting to a "celebrity" status had always been something she'd struggled with.

"I knew you would take home the prize," Jonathon Walters announced, waltzing up to Claire and engulfing her a giant hug. "This win is going to make you the most sought after actress in Hollywood."

Claire smiled up at the producer of Down Came the Rain and returned his embrace. At over six feet tall, Jonathon was a very powerful looking man. With his shock of white hair, penetrating eyes and strong features, he was a sight to behold.

"I don't know about all that," she replied modestly.

"I do," the veteran producer boomed. "You just reached a whole new level of stardom, my dear." He gave her another squeeze before wandering off toward his adoring fans. He had an entourage to entertain and many "thank-yous" to hand out, and he'd never been one to shrink into the shadows.

Not only had Claire won "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role", Down Came the Rain had walked away with two awards, one for "Best Picture" and another for "Outstanding Production". It had been an exciting night for the hard-working cast and crew as all of the sacrifices they'd made and the long hours put in during filming the psychological thriller had finally paid off.

Claire stood alone, taking in the after-party scene. She was softly pretty, with wavy brown hair, dark eyes and delicate features, not your typical bleached-blonde California beauty. Born in rural Colorado, she made the move to sunny California at the age of eight to pursue a career in acting. After winning a local audition for a television sitcom, one she had tried out for on a whim, Claire's entire family uprooted, leaving their small town behind. The family sitcom ran for four years, ending just after Claire turned twelve. She went straight from that show to a young teenage drama called Paradise Cove, which featured a group of friends living in the small California town of the same name. The series had been wildly successful and ran for more than three years, ending only because the majority of the actors had moved on to bigger and better projects. Claire had remained in contact with most of her cast-mates and still considered them to be her closest friends, all having bonded over the sudden rush of fame starring in a top rated television show offered.

"There you are," a silky voice whispered from behind her. Claire felt two arms encircle her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

The feel of his breath against her ear still gave Claire goosebumps, just as it had for the past five years. She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I've been right here the whole time," she said, smiling at her date.

Miller Bradley's 5'11 frame towered over her. Standing at a mere 5'5, Claire was considered petite by Hollywood's standards.

Miller planted a small kiss on the tip of her nose. "How're you holding up?"