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It was weird.
“Gross, huh? Mommy and Daddy need to get a room,” Ally whispered.
Gavin finished his sucking of her mom’s face. It was really weird. But her mom kind of glowed.
“This is our room,” Gavin pointed out. “You are the hangers-on. If you don’t like your mother and I showing our deep affection for each other, you’ll have to leave. It’s not like I haven’t caught both of you doing things that embarrassed me. Allyson, most of the time half your butt is hanging out of your shorts.”
Ally smiled. “Thanks. It’s hard to get exactly the right amount of rear cleavage.”
“I believe what your almost-stepfather is saying is he doesn’t want to see any of your cleavage. It disturbs him,” her mother said, her arm around Gavin.
“But it’s a pretty butt,” Ally argued. “I work very hard for it. I’m not sure I like having a dad.”
The three of them would be living together. Working together sometimes. “You three should do a reality show. I would watch that.”
They all went still, sparks in every one of those creative, hustling eyes.
“I was joking.” The last thing Brynn needed was her family on a reality show.
Although she honestly would watch it.
“It’s not a terrible idea,” her mother mused. “A modern Hollywood family. It could highlight Ally’s journey as a young artist.”
“Mom, you don’t want cameras everywhere while you and Gavin are just starting off,” Ally said. “Besides, the way you two fight . . . well, that would be good TV.”
“I think I would come off pretty amazing,” Gavin added. “It might put me in a good position to be a spokesperson in my golden years. I’ve heard AARP pays well.”
“We are not talking about that. We’re far too young.” Her mother moved to the table and picked up the champagne. “It’s something to think about. Now, Gavin, you met with the director. Did he want Brynn back now that she’s not the May in your May–December romance? By the way, I’m only August, you understand.”
“Absolutely, darling.” Gavin didn’t point out that they were the same age, and Brynn decided not to, either. They were both Septembers. “And yes, he wants Brynn back. I’ve also talked to the studio, and they now believe it will help the film to have a true father-daughter team in the leads.” He stopped her before she could protest. “I told them you were on sabbatical and might be for a long time.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t want to have to fight them. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she needed this time.
Did she have to give up on Major?
Gavin took the glass her mom offered him. “I told them I’m the blessed man who has two incredibly talented daughters. How about it, Ally? You have to screen-test for it, but I know you can do this.”
For the first time in forever, her sister was completely speechless.
Her mom looked to Gavin. “Did you really?”
“It’s a great role for her. She’s a little young, but she’s got the grit. She needs parts like this,” Gavin insisted. “And we all know she and I can irritate each other. That will come across beautifully on screen.”
Ally flew across the room and launched herself at Gavin, hugging him in a wave of affection. “Thank you. I’ll get it. I’ll be the best.”
“I have no doubt of that, whether you get the role or not,” Gavin whispered.
How could she stay mad at them? Brynn groaned.
Life was too short. It flew by, and she didn’t want to spend it in anger. She didn’t want to miss joy and happiness when her mom seemed truly sorry, seemed truly willing to change.
“Well, we should definitely drink to that.” Brynn joined her family. No matter what happened, she always had a place to go.
Now it was time to find out who she was on her own.
* * *
* * *
“I’m not sure I know what I did wrong.”
Major sat on the bench next to his father, looking out over the pond that served as the focal point of the assisted living home’s green space. It was peaceful, with a fountain in the center that lit up at night and a walking path that the residents used to get some exercise. He’d found his father out here walking around the pond with a friend, talking about the news and some television show they’d watched. He hadn’t seen his dad so animated in a long time.
Could he take that away from him? How could he look his father in the eye and tell him he had to go back to hell? His father was perfectly capable of making this decision for himself. He shouldn’t try to control something that wasn’t his to control.
Wasn’t that what Brynn had been trying to tell him?
Wasn’t that what he’d tried to do to her?
