Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
After breakfast, Haven’s phone rings with Tabitha’s name flashing across it. She chats briefly with the producer as we leave The Ladybug Inn, then says to her, “I’m on it.” When she ends the call, she says, “A PA spilled coffee on the wedding dress. It’s ruined and we need a new one, stat, so Tabitha tracked one down at Second Time Around. They’re doing a quick adjustment to the straps, and I offered to pick it up on our way back.”
We hustle over to the consignment shop in town and snag the replacement gown. As we leave, there’s a tour group coming down the street that stops and asks my sister for autographs.
“We love Someone Else’s Ring so much,” one woman says.
“And you’re Lucy Snow! She’s so tough. The way she walked out on her wedding day,” another coos.
“And you and Chris are the perfect pair to play them,” one more adds.
Haven smiles and thanks them all as she signs and poses for selfies.
Wanda stays close to Haven while Grandma and I stand back, Banks scanning the street, watching over us. Across the road, some passersby slow down, lifting their phones to take pics of the moment.
Cyrus would think that was very meta too. I can’t wait to tell him. Better yet, to show him. I grab my phone to snap a pic of it, but once I open the camera the group across the street has moved on. As they walk toward the corner, I spot a profile that feels familiar. But then they turn down the block and out of sight, so I let the déjà vu sensation slip away as I return to the farm.
39
THE CAUTIOUS ONE
BANKS
Dean calls in the afternoon while I’m in the house setting up some security checks with new corporate clients in Los Angeles—we’ll test cameras, handle background checks, and evaluate cybersecurity. I answer the phone right away, and Dean wastes no time on a greeting.
“Can you get away Friday afternoon?”
“Nice to hear from you too. And probably,” I say. I’ve got backup here to cover Ripley when I can’t. “What’s it for? Did you get first-base-line tickets to the Dragons/Cougars game?”
Dean is a notorious baseball fan and will do just about anything to see a game.
“Yes, Banks. I’m suggesting we skip work to see a ball game,” he deadpans, then returns to serious business. “Webflix wants to move quickly. They asked to meet with both of us this Friday.”
I give a quick fist pump, then say in the same no-nonsense tone, “I’ll be there.”
“I’ll lock it in for the afternoon and we’ll meet with them in San Francisco.”
“Is that where you’ll stay?”
“Yup. I’ll fly in Thursday night. I’ll get you all the details.”
“We should meet beforehand and go over our game plan,” I suggest.
“Let’s do it.”
I exhale, and it feels like I’ve been holding my breath for a long time. I sink back into the couch, a little amazed. “Can I just say it? This is impressive. What we’re pulling off.”
“I hear you, but we’re not there yet,” he says, playing the cautious one, which is usually my role.
Lately, though, not so much.
“Right, but still,” I point out, “we started this firm a little over a year ago. We’re blasting past all the goals we set.”
“That is true,” he admits.
“We won’t have to work for anyone else again. Knock on wood and all.”
“It’s a relief, man,” he says, then pauses for a beat. “And you’re right. It’s fucking impressive.”
“I knew you’d see it my way,” I say, my gaze swinging to the kitchen window. I check out the wedding-scene shoot, then turn to watch Ripley working in the fields.
She’s gorgeous there amongst the flowers. She’s in her element, doing what she loves, and she’s damn good at it.
Dean and I chat briefly about the research and prep we’ll both need to do, then we end the call. I sigh happily. But contentment is short-lived. I can’t bask in the possibility of this business growth. Soon—very soon—I need to let my business partner know I’m not the cautious one. I’m not the obsessive one. I’m the wild card, the rogue one who fell for a client.
I never wanted to be that guy. I despise messes, especially ones I have to clean up. But this isn’t a mess. It’s a situation with a clear-enough solution.
But I don’t have to tell him yet. I can do that when the shoot ends after this weekend.
Right? Right.
The thought twists my gut. I should tell him sooner. It’s the responsible thing to do. I’m not sure I will though.
At least, not before I talk to Ripley.
That evening, after the cast and crew pack up and head into town for dinner, I find Ripley tossing a ball to Hudson, who hurtles after it toward the lavender maze, twinkling with fairy lights. I catch up with her quickly as the dog enters the purple hedges, hell-bent on chasing the errant missile.