Tracy returned to the champagne, gracefully lifted the white napkin wrapped around the bottle, gripped the cork, and gently twisted—pop! A soft fizz drifted up with a faint, crisp bouquet.
She carefully poured the pale-gold wine into three flutes; tiny bubbles danced merrily along the glass.
Only then did she raise her own glass to Landon and Rachel, her face carefully calm, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed the storm inside.
"I have two pieces of good news," Tracy said, her voice clear and melodious. She paused, gaze flicking between Landon and Rachel as though savoring their expressions.
"One concerns Rachel, and one concerns you, Landon."
Landon's pulse quickened involuntarily.
He glanced at Rachel; the girl was biting her lower lip, eyes shining as she stared at Tracy, her face a mix of nerves, pride, and boundless joy.
Clearly, Tracy had told her in advance so she could share in the surprise.
Tracy's gaze settled first on Rachel, her voice gentler:
"First, congratulations, Rachel. Our original goal for the New York trip has borne fruit."
She turned to Landon. "The role Rachel auditioned for last week in New York is part of a new Miramax project—a romantic comedy called Serendipity."
"She just received official word: she got the part—Hayley Buchanan, fiancée of the male lead, Jonathan."
Landon's glass tilted; the wine shimmered. He was stunned.
Serendipity?
Of course he knew that film!
Not because it had been a box-office smash—it was simply a well-liked romance—but because the female lead was Kate Beckinsale.
The distinctive beauty who would later be known for Pearl Harbor and Underworld.
In his previous life he had watched it more than once because of her, the film's aura of destined love leaving a deep impression.
He remembered the hero's fiancée was indeed an important supporting role, one of the plot drivers.
He had never imagined that Tracy and Rachel's New York trip had been for this project.
Even less had he expected Rachel—who only weeks ago was shooting canned-beef commercials and worrying about her future—to land a key supporting role in a Miramax production.
It was simply… Landon's gaze at Rachel brimmed with amazement and heartfelt admiration.
Rachel's cheeks flamed, but this time she didn't look away; she met his eyes, radiant with the light of a dream come true.
"I… just did my best," Rachel said, glowing. "The key was Tracy—she got me the audition, found me one-on-one coaching, analysed the role, and drilled me on the script."
She stood, walked to Tracy, wrapped her in a huge hug and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Tracy!"
Then she bounced to Landon's side and kissed him just as warmly, smelling of champagne and joy. "Landon! I did it!"
"You were incredible, Rachel! Truly!" Landon hugged her hard, delighted for her.
Watching her excitement, and hearing her words, he marveled—this path mirrored his own audition for A Beautiful Mind.
It wasn't just a solid step forward for Rachel; it was further proof of Tracy's stunning resources and eye.
"Come—let's drink to Rachel's success!" Tracy raised her glass, smile warm and proud.
Three crystal rims met with a bright, crystalline chime.
Golden wine slid down throats, crisp bubbles sweet with celebration.
This moment was for Rachel's breakthrough, for pure joy.
Yet Landon's inner string remained taut.
Tracy had said there were two pieces of good news; the second was the boulder still hanging over his heart.
Sensing his anticipation, Tracy set down her glass; her expression shifted.
The tender smile she'd worn for Rachel faded, replaced by unmistakable excitement.
Her chest rose as she drew a breath. Looking at Landon, her voice lifted:
"Now for our leading man."
She paused; the brief silence stretched.
Landon heard the heavy thud of his own heart.
Tracy's mouth curved into a grin so wide it looked almost childlike; her eyes reddened instantly, yet no tears fell—only a joyful gleam under the lights.
Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly, but rang with force:
"Mr. Landon Williams," she enunciated, as if pronouncing a decree:
"After negotiations by the WMA team, and after our bold, generous backend deal finally convinced the producers… Universal Pictures and Neal H. Moritz's Original Film have officially decided—"
She inhaled again, voice leaping, thick with unmistakable excitement and a sob:
"You will play the lead role of Brian O'Conner in the fast and the furious! Landon, we got it! We actually got it!"
Bang—
Something exploded in Landon's mind—not a roar but a silent, brilliant detonation.
Then an indescribable surge of relief and elation, cold as the sweetest spring water on a June day, rushed from his soles to his crown, washing away every recent anxiety, calculation, and hidden unease.
He had it!
Brian O'Conner!
the fast and the furious!
All the scheming, risks, wagers, all-out efforts on the track, Tracy's sleepless nights in the study—at this instant they gained flawless meaning.
He didn't even realize he had stood.
He rounded the table in a few strides and reached Tracy. She tilted her head, tears in her eyes, smile blazing with pride and joy.
Landon said nothing; he simply slipped his arms beneath her and lifted her in a tight, steady hug, spinning a half circle.
Tracy gasped, then laughed and locked her arms round his neck.
Rachel cheered and threw herself at them, hugging Landon from behind, pressing her face to his back, laughing in delight.
The three clung together, forming a single inseparable little world.
Champagne scent, joyful tears, excited laughter, and the warmth of hearts beating against one another blended into the most moving symphony of the night.