“I’m not sure.”
They could hear the side door to the garage open and close. Tim came to the doorway to the porch. “Terrific. Your twin.”
Finn looked up at him. He couldn’t keep himself from saying, “Yep! Now I’m added to the mix. You’re a piece of work, Rayburn.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” He stepped onto the deck. “I’m am sorry, Fiona. My excuses are bullshit. I don’t know why I did it.”
Finn stood. “You two need to talk. I’m going to take the boys out to dinner. For what it’s worth, I recommend counseling. I have connections to get you in to see someone soon.”
Neither spoke and Tim sat down.
Finn went into the house and down to the playroom. “Hey, guys. Want to go for supper with me?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah. Where?”
“We’ll decide that when we get in the car.”
Jason looked up at him. “Is Mommy okay?”
“She’s sad. And upset. So’s your dad. It’s grown-up stuff.” He almost choked on that statement. “Now, let’s go!”
* * *
“Take two!” John Gorman called out.
Elise walked onto today’s set, a beautiful park with lots of trees that swayed in the breeze. Walking paths, a children’s play area, and benches peppered throughout. She sat on a pretty green one. She crossed her legs and kicked the top one. She checked her watch.
Enter Eric, aka Max. He came from the left and walked into camera range. His clothes were disheveled, his hair a mess. “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
“Wifey keep you, lover boy?” Her tone was sassy.
“Don’t be like that.” He sat down. “You knew from the start I had responsibilities.” He took her hand. “Let’s go somewhere we can be together.”
“No, not today.”
“Why?”
She sprung off the bench and went into a tirade, the stuff movies were made of.
“Cut!”
John began to clap. So did the filming crew. “Beautiful, Elise, just beautiful.”
Max crossed to John. “Can I talk to you privately?”
“Yeah, sure I guess. We’re done for the day. Everybody, break the set down and go home.”
Elise knew Max was going to complain that he should have a scene like the one she’d performed. And maybe he should. In truth, she didn’t want to upstage him. But that was the way the script ofA Woman in Jeopardywas written.
After taking off her makeup, she ate the cheese and fruit plate delivered to her trailer because she was starving, showered and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Wearing jeans and a pretty pink blouse, she left the lot. She was nervous about tonight but she wanted to see Finn. She wasn’t ready to accept that their personal relationship was over and she’d decided to fight for him.
She arrived at the collective at seven. Several vehicles were in their parking lot.No hanky panky in the car tonight.
That made her smile. But on the way in, nerves claimed her. What would being together feel like now?
He met her in the waiting room. God, he looked good in jeans and a black shirt, rolled up at the sleeves. “Hi.”
