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“It can if you’re busy.”
Something about the tone in his voice makes me reconsider. “I could get away for a while later this afternoon. I want to spend a little time with my grandmother first.”
“Of course. How about five? It’s nothing major. I have a couple of ideas I wouldn’t mind running by you. Give us a bit of a head start before we head back. If not, it’s no big deal.” His tone is light, but I’ve known Joe long enough to realize this is important to him. And the fact that he called me first to discuss it isn’t lost on me.
“No, you’re right. We told Dave we’d work on building our team. Where would you like to meet?”
“I can come pick you up. Early dinner at The Shack?” Joe asks.
I look across the huge amount of leftovers sitting on the counter and in the fridge. Seeing all the food reminds me of how stuffed I am. “I don’t think I can take The Shack tonight. My mom went a little overboard with lunch.”
“Hey, I did no such thing. And you wait and see. Most of this will be gone before dinner.” My mother waves her dishrag at me.
Joe laughs. “Believe me, I get it. How about Delucci’s then? Do you have room for ice cream?”
“I always have room for one of their milkshakes.”
“Good. I’ll be there at five to pick you up,” Joe says and hangs up. Before telling me anything about what he wants to discuss.
I groan.
“Boy trouble?” my mother asks.
I shake my head. “Work trouble. Producing an entire movie with Joe as the director is going to be a pain in my—”
“Language, Fiona.” My mother points her finger at me, and I swallow my words.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? The two of you spending that much time together?” Gwen asks.
“It’s not like I have a choice. Dave hired him, and I’m stuck with him.” I shrug. As long as he gets the message that he can’t walk all over me, I can handle this. As long as I keep reminding myself that we’re not friends and definitely not what we used to be. Before he left and let our relationship die a slow and painful death.
“Please tell me this won’t be a problem at my wedding. Or all the stuff leading up to it. You’re both in this—”
“It’s not going to be a problem. I promise. It’s your big day. There’s no way I’m going to let anything or anyone ruin it for you.” I hug my sister and drag her into the living room with me to chat with our grandmother.
Gwen and Greg are driving her back to her place when a familiar car pulls into the driveway. I’d know that cherry-red Mustang anywhere. Even the rumbling sound of the engine is familiar.
“Fiona?” My mother walks up beside me, both of us standing on the front porch.
“Yes?”
“Be careful with his feelings. And yours.” She waves at Joe and walks back into the house, pulling the front door closed behind her.
“Ready to get some ice cream?” Joe asks, jumping out and opening the passenger door for me.
“Sure. If you’re ready to tell me what this is about. It sounded urgent.” I put down my purse and barely buckle my seatbelt before he guns it and drives backward down the long drive that leads to our house. He pulls out into the road and spins the car around in some movie car chase move that makes me think I should take Dramamine the next time I get into a car with him. Except that stuff puts me to sleep.
“I had a little time on my hands to think about who we might want on our team, starting with a casting director and a team of writers. I thought we could go over options and maybe get in a few calls before we head back to Wilmington. What do you think? Are you up for talking a little shop?”
“Sure thing. Can you slow it down a little so I can take notes?” I ask.
Joe laughs. “That’s so Fiona. You’re the reason I stayed on top of things in high school. College was a bit of a wake-up call without you by my side. I can’t tell you how many assignments I missed my first year.”
“It’s what makes me a good producer.”
“I’m sure it does. And I look forward to having your organizational talents at my disposal again. But let’s enjoy the ride and grab some ice cream first, if you don’t mind.” Joe steps on it, and the engine roars back to life as we fly down the highway that leads us to the famous ice cream shop by the lake.
“Seriously?” I ask when we finally slow down.
