Joy had found the perfect spot in Cannes: a gorgeous street-facing apartment right in the heart of the city. Yeah, it cost an absolute fortune (she basically had to sell a kidney), but the location was unbeatable. One week after moving in, she was already in love with the vibe.
Back in the States she couldn't sneeze without it trending, but Europe? Sweet relief. Sure, film buffs recognized her, but random people on the street? Most had no clue. She could actually walk to the cinema without the full disguise: baseball cap, giant sunglasses, the whole incognito celebrity starter pack.
France still imported the big American blockbusters, but the cinemas were packed with artsy European stuff. Locals were way more into Luc Besson or Alain Resnais than the latest Marvel drop.
Joy spent her first week turning the apartment into a home: fresh flowers everywhere, scented candles, the works. She finally felt like she could breathe.
One afternoon she decided to treat herself to a fancy French dinner. She'd literally just grabbed her bag when someone knocked.
She opened the door and froze.
Tom. In the flesh. Holding a baby-blue ribboned gift box like he owned the hallway.
Joy blinked. "What are you doing in France?"
He gave her that polite, raised-in-a-good-family smile. "Checking on you. Don't look so shocked; Catherine sold you out."
She glanced at the box. "And… this is?"
"Housewarming gift. Technically an 'I-missed-you' gift." He handed it over.
Joy stepped aside to let him in. "You really didn't have to…"
"Open it."
Inside was a heart-shaped jewelry box. She lifted the lid and: wow. A crystal necklace that caught every bit of light in the room. Simple, elegant, and definitely not cheap.
Before she could do the polite "this is too much" dance, Tom gently took it from her hands. "Hold on. Let me put it on you."
He stepped behind her, fingers brushing the back of her neck as he clasped it. The tiny touch sent warmth straight down her spine.
"I saw it in Italy while we were shooting," he murmured, close enough that she felt his breath. "Instantly thought of you."
Joy caught her reflection in the hallway mirror. The necklace looked like it had been made for her. "Tom, it's stunning, but it's way too expensive; at least let me—"
He cut her off with a soft laugh. "Saying that kinda ruins the vibe. I know you're loaded. I'm also not hurting for cash." He stepped back, tilted his head, and smiled like he'd just won something. "Told you it would suit you."
She touched the pendant, cheeks warm. "Fine. Then I owe you a killer return gift. Top secret, though."
Tom grinned, tapped a finger to his lips. "Deal."
Joy grabbed her purse. "Okay, gift accepted. Dinner's on me tonight; real French food. You in?"
He tilted his head playfully. "Absolutely. And actually… fun fact: I saw the place across the hall was empty, so I bought it."
Joy's jaw dropped. "You—what?!"
He shrugged like it was no big deal. "Cannes is gorgeous. Figured it'd be nice to have a European home base when I'm not working." Then, with perfect timing: "Mom said she wanted a change of scenery too, so I brought her along."
Joy just stared. This man really just… bought the apartment opposite hers and moved his mother to France. Smooth.
He offered his arm like an old-school gentleman. "Come say hi?"
Obviously she said yes.
At Tom's place (which already looked like it had been lived in for years), Mary greeted her warmly from her armchair by the fireplace.
Joy invited her to dinner too, but Mary waved it off with a kind smile: bad legs, long day, etc. Joy refused to steal her son and leave the old lady alone.
Tom solved it instantly: "I gave the staff the day off. I'll just run to the restaurant and bring everything back."
And off he went.
Which left Joy alone with Mary and the crackling fire.
Mary studied her for a moment, then spoke softly. "Joy, dear… Tom has already told me how he feels about you. He's courting you. So tell me honestly: why haven't you said yes? Is there something about him you don't like?"
Joy opened her mouth, then closed it. Truth was, there wasn't a single thing. "I like him a lot, Mary. He's… pretty perfect, actually."
"Then what's stopping you?"
Joy stared into the flames. "It's not him. It's me. I got burned once. Badly. I'm scared to jump again."
Mary's eyes softened. "He doesn't make you feel safe?"
"No, he does," Joy admitted quietly. "I just… don't trust myself to not mess it up."
Mary sighed like a mom who'd seen this movie before. "That old partner of yours did a number on you, didn't he?"
Joy gave a tiny, sad laugh. "You could say that."
Tom came back twenty minutes later with bags full of Michelin-level takeout. They set the table together like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Over coq au vin and perfect mashed potatoes, the conversation drifted to work.
Tom: "You settling in okay?"
Joy: "Loving it. You're off to Seville soon, right? Knight and Day?"
Tom raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You know my schedule better than my assistant."
She grinned. "It's my job to stalk hot actors."
He laughed. Then, casually: "Second time working with Cameron Diaz since Vanilla Sky."
Joy made a little face before she could stop herself.
Tom caught it instantly. "What was that look? Spill."
"It's just… the character's supposed to be this iconic blonde bombshell, right? Cameron was gorgeous in her twenties, but…" She shrugged awkwardly. "Some roles need someone who still looks the part at forty."
Tom leaned back, amused. "Got a better idea?"
"Eva Green? But she always dyes her hair dark. Or… Charlize Theron. She's the same age ballpark, but she's aging like fine wine and can do action in her sleep."
Tom actually pulled out his phone and started texting his agent right there at the table. "Charlize, huh? I owe you one."
Joy laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Just looking out for your box office, dude."
Dinner ended. Joy walked back across the hall to her own place, crystal necklace still warm against her skin.
She hung up her coat, caught her reflection again, and suddenly: brain flash.
Eva Green's face popped into her head, green eyes, raven hair, that perfect dangerous elegance.
A slow smile spread across Joy's face.
Oh.
Oh, she had an idea.