Wow that was. . . almost nice. I think.
“He’s done a lot for me, too,” I insisted, reaching over and grabbing Eli’s hand. His lip turned up a little but his jaw remained clenched so tight I worried he might chip a tooth.
“He’s helped you get over your fiancé, right? Terrible what you’ve been through.” Tim pouted.
“Watch it,” Eli warned. It was the first thing he’d said since we’d sat down.
My smile froze in place. “I wouldn’t phrase it like that. What happened to Michael...it was a long time ago. Eli has really helped me deal with my grief and learn a lot about myself.”
“And you two think you have a shot at making this work in the real world, outside of all this hubbub?” Tim asked, clearly unconvinced.
“Yes,” Eli said forcefully.
Tim just chuckled. “See? Totally smitten. I’ve never seen him like this with a girl.”
“You’ve never seen much of me at all,” Eli countered.
Tim frowned and sat forward. “Excuse me? I raised you. You’re a household name because of me, you ungrateful little?—”
“Eli tells me you’re producing now,” I interrupted, hoping to divert the argument that had bubbled to the surface. Eli and his dad were not going to get into all of their issues here and now. We just had to play nice for the cameras for a little while.
Tim cleared his throat and forced his eyes away from Eli. “Yes, my production company is going to put out some of the biggest action movies in this decade. I offered to put Eli in a huge series we’re adapting, but he said no. He’d rather have his career go up in flames.”
Eli blew out air. “For the millionth time, I want to be behind the camera.”
His father waved off his comment. “Not your silly screenplay again.”
“I’m excited to read it,” I chimed in, forcing myself to sound cheerful.
“You’re not missing much,” Tim said before returning his attention to me. “And what is it you do again? You’re a singer?”
I gulped, anticipating a judgmental response when I gave my answer. “That’s Trace. I’m-I’m actually a writer. A novelist, specifically.”
Tim frowned. “Talk about an impossible industry. You’ll be lucky if anything you write sees the light of day.”
“She already has a publishing deal for her first novel,” Eli seethed next to me.
Tim eyed me up and down, considering me. “Well, aren’t you impressive.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that.
“She is,” Eli responded for me, bringing my hand to his lips and pressing them to it softly.
“Well, I’m glad my son met you, then. I hope he’ll finally clean up his act once and for all.”
Before I could say anything in response to his snide remark, his phone rang. He held up a meaty finger and said, “Gotta take this,” before standing and walking away.
“Cut!” shouted Shay. “We got what we needed.”
The crew took down the cameras and started to move the equipment.
“You two stay put for now. I’ll come get you when it’s time for interviews,” Shay instructed.
“Will I get to say goodbye to my sister?” I asked.
“There won’t be time before her flight,” Shay said cooly. “But you fly home after the finale tomorrow; you’ll see her soon enough.”
My chest deflated at the news. But it was comforting to think about all this being over tomorrow.
