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“Yes, it’s good for researching how to bury a body,” her mom shot back, but then winked at Gavin, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. “Show-off.”
Brynn frowned, watching the two of them. Did her mom have a crush on Gavin? Ever since Major had talked about the cost of care for his father, she’d had this idea in the back of her head. She’d done a bit of her own research and worried Major was right. Her mom shouldn’t have been able to afford the level of care her grandmother had received. She didn’t think she could have afforded it even if she’d taken all of Brynn’s earnings, which she hadn’t.
Had she taken a loan? Had there been money she didn’t talk about?
Or had someone else paid the bill? Someone like Gavin. If he had, why wouldn’t they talk about it?
Gavin wore a simple outfit of good slacks and a black V-neck shirt that showed off the hint of a sculpted chest. “I am a lifelong learner. Now, Brynn, when should we expect Major to get here?”
Major had offered to give her a ride, but he was coming out after a long shift, and was also picking up his dad. It was easier to meet him here. “Any minute now, so if you and Mom want to get back to the B and B, you can go. I’m fine.”
“Now, why would we do that when we can meet your beau’s family?”
Only her mother would use the word beau. “Or you could not scare him off. Don’t you have a deal to make or a whole bunch of phone calls?”
“I can take one night off,” her mother replied. “Besides, my recent encounter with sticky-fingered rodents gave me an incredible idea. I’m going to pitch a movie or tv show about a raccoon who can talk. He’s an alien and he runs with a group of mercenaries.”
“Guardians of the Galaxy.” Brynn and Gavin said the title at the same time.
Her mom wasn’t big on movies she didn’t have a direct hand in.
Her mom huffed. “It already exists? Well, that’s unfortunate. Perhaps a possum. They look rather shady. An alien thought he was taking over the body of a human and he ends up in a possum, and he has no idea why he has the constant urge to play dead.”
There was nothing to say about that one.
“Duke likes it. Yes, he does. Duke believes in me,” her mother cooed at the corgi.
“Duke believes in the insane amount of treats you’ve been giving him.” Brynn held her dog’s leash. “And I thought we’ve all agreed that Major and I are just friends who are enjoying a physical relationship while we can.”
“Sure you are. You’ve practically moved in with the man,” her mom countered. “I’ve barely seen you in days. I’m surprised you were at the B and B this afternoon. Tell me, did you get a chance to sign those contracts?”
She still wasn’t sure she wanted to sign those contracts. Gavin’s offer had played around in her head, and the days she’d spent with Major had further muddied the waters. It had only been a couple of days they’d spent together and she was already addicted, and not merely to Major. She loved the time they spent together, but the freedom was truly intoxicating. She could walk around town and no one cared who she was. They were all friendly, and in the beginning she’d been asked for autographs, but after the first week, she’d simply been another person. The pressure to achieve, to go higher than she’d gone before, to move into another category of actresses, had disappeared for a little while.
“I haven’t yet. I wanted to read them.”
Her mom’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you do that? Your agent has already vetted the contracts, and I looked through them myself. They are perfectly good contracts in line with SAG. You’re getting everything you’re supposed to get, and I negotiated a few extra perks including a dog walker when you can’t take Duke out yourself.”
She could take Duke with her because they were filming in the US. Why couldn’t she take Major, too? Why couldn’t she find a way to do all the things she wanted to do and explore this relationship with the best man she’d ever met?
“Brynn? Is there a reason you don’t want to sign the contracts? I thought this was settled.”
She was saved by the dog. Duke barked, standing up and turning his body toward the parking lot, straining at his leash. Brynn turned and Dolly was doing the same to Major. The dog was wriggling crazily. Walking beside Major was his father.
Brynn turned to her mom. “Please? This is the first time Major’s been able to bring his father out in a long time. Can we not fight?”
