“She has a soft spot for George. I know she doesn’t act like it. He helped her in the past. But she was closer to William. William didn’t let her get away with as much. She needed that sort of structure. And to be fair, George has always been a little distracted with the show and writing. Joey thrives on attention.”
“You don’t say.”
I nudged him with my elbow. “She always wanted to be an actress. Ever since we were little. Collette reminds me so much of her sometimes.” A pang made my heart thump hard in my chest.
“Is that why you don’t want Collette to be an actor? Because of Joey?”
“Did she tell you she wanted to be an actor, and I said no?”
He nodded.
“I’m not totally against it. I guess I worry that she doesn’t understand the breadth of what that would mean or the work involved. I worry about her being disappointed.”
“That’s understandable. It is a very hard industry to get a foot in. But … I may know people.”
I stopped and shook my head frantically. “I … I can’t think about that right now. No offense. There’s so much upheaval in her life. Collette deserves stability. And consistency,” I said firmly. I swallowed down the emotion bubbling to the surface. Damn this wine. “She deserves to be a child as long as possible before the outside world takes away her spirit. Being in front of a camera from a young age has to mess you up.”
Harrison nodded, looking at the ground.
“Crap. I’m sorry. That’s not—”
“No. You’re right. My life was far from normal. And I agree that this wouldn’t be a good time for Collette.”
Harrison took off his sunglasses as we came to a stop in front of the car. “Plus,” he said with a smile back in place, “you know what’s best for her.”
“No. I’m just me. I mean, I’m not her mother. If Joey was here more … I don’t mean to decide for her.” I felt panic grow. I was doing my best, but it wasn’t the best for her.
“She’s lucky to have you,” he said again. As he had before. This time, I wasn’t sure who he was referring to. He opened the door for me. “Is there anywhere else you want to go before we head back?”
I couldn’t think of any other place I’d rather be. Even just a day away, and I missed Collette. Joey could decide to take her back at any point, which was what should happen. That’s the way it should be, but it made me not want to waste another minute away from her.
“No. Let’s get h—back to George’s.”
“I’m ready to see that kid.” He held my hand as I lowered into the passenger seat.
And for a minute, I had the fantasy that this was my life. A day out with a handsome man before going home to our little family.
I closed my eyes and leaned back. The wine was starting to make me feel queasy.
This wasn’t my life. This was a moment in my life. Joey and Collette would eventually be gone. I would move on from this town to find where I’m meant to be and get back to the person I used to be.
Harrison would be gone.
“I’m sure they’re all fine, having the time of their lives,” Harrison said, and for the first time, it felt as though he was trying to tell himself that and not to comfort me.
Was it possible that Harrison was already as wildly protective over Collette? She was just so rare and wonderful and special, and every person who met her felt the same way. Or maybe he worried about leaving George all day?
We pulled up to the house as the sun was setting. I hopped out of the car, not waiting for Harrison, nerves rushing me forward.
“We’re back,” I called loudly once inside over the blaring, rarely used TV.
The living room was strewn with clothes, dolls, and various toys. Nobody responded for a minute. I shut off the TV and called out, “Hello?” just as Harrison came in behind me.
Collette came running out, still in her pajamas, now covered in miscellaneous colorful substances, a dripping spoon clutched in one hand and what I thought was Joey’s phone in the other. “We had the best day ever! I had all the ice cream! And we went to the park. Mama’s letting me watch videos on her phone.”
She was fine. She was fine. A little dirty and high on sugar, possibly being exposed to content for people much older, but fine. I knelt, and she flew into my arms. I peppered her tangled hair with kisses.
“Ah, you’re squeezing me too hard.”
