“Ha! It’s usually the other way around, pal.” Carrey scribbled his name with a flourish and then looked at me. “Let me tell you something-agents smell money like sharks smell blood.” Carrey winked as he handed me both the receipt and the pen.

“Nice dress. What’s your name?”

“Jane.” I felt more flushed now than I had on the dance floor.

“Oh no, not you!” He was just as smooth and dramatic in person as he was on screen. “You give plain Janes a bad name, sweetheart.”

“Thank you.” I tucked the autograph and pen away in my little purse. “And thank you again, for this.”

“My pleasure.” He grabbed my hand and actually bowed, leaning it to kiss it.

People around us were watching and he waggled his eyebrows at me. “And a very nice view, I might add.”

Now I was sure I was bright red.

“Jim.” The agent saved me, clearing his throat.

“Right. Back to business.” Carrey straightened and tipped me a dismissing wave.

“Nice meeting you, Jane.”

“You, too.” I didn’t even hear my name being called until I got to the stairs. If I hadn’t detoured on my way to the bathroom that night to get Jim Carrey’s autograph for my little brother, things would have gone very differently later, but Catherine found me again because I had, grabbing my arm and pulling me into a hug.

“It’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed. I returned her affection, still flushed from dancing and my encounter with a real celebrity. I hadn’t had the guts to actually go up to any of the stars I’d seen in New York since I’d been there, and probably wouldn’t have this time, if it weren’t for Henry. He’d seen Bruce Almighty fifteen times!

“You look gorgeous,” she gushed in my ear, still holding me close. Catherine was a leggy redhead with a temperament as fiery as her hair. Even in my heels I felt short and dumpy next to her. The night she’d taken me home from 1 Oak, I felt like I was going home with a goddess.