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“I like you, Joe, and I’m impressed with your work ethic so far. It’s a bit early to talk about other projects with C&C Productions, but I’m happy to introduce you to some people. And if things work out with this movie, you’ll be at the top of my list for whatever we decide to work on next.”
“Sounds fair to me, and I’m going to take you up on the offer. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.” If my time in California has taught me anything, it’s how important it is to know the right people in this business. It’s how I became aware of this opportunity, and without a good word from Will Chambers, I doubt Dave Clayton would have given me the time of day.
“Sounds good. Why don’t you and Fiona come out to the house for dinner? You can meet my wife. Friday night?” Dave opens his laptop before I get a chance to answer.
“I’ll have to check with Fiona, but I’m sure that would be fine. Thank you, Dave.” I get up and head to Fiona’s office to share the news, wondering who’s guessing that there’s more than an easy friendship going on between me and Fiona.
“You look stunning.” Fiona takes my breath away in the simple linen dress and wedge heels she’s wearing when I pick her up on Friday night.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself. That’s not the shirt from the incident with Mrs. Pearl’s cat, is it?” Fiona locks her arm with mine as we stroll down to the parking lot.
“I’m not really sure. I have a couple of white shirts. It could be.” I sniff my sleeve, happy to notice nothing but the nice clean scent of my laundry detergent.
“Speaking of cats. How’s Spike doing? Have you heard anything from the Roberts family?”
I open the door to my Mustang and shut it behind her. “They called this morning and sent a picture. He’s settling in nicely.” I show her the picture of Kayla holding the black-and-white kitten. Her sunny smile goes a long way to help me not regret my decision to find him a new home.
“He looks happy,” Fiona says.
“Almost as happy as he does. How do you want to handle this at Dave’s house? Are we going as friends or…”
“Friends would be best if that’s okay with you. Dave gave me his opinion about office romances when he found out we have a history.”
“We’re a little more than your average office romance though,” I say, squeezing her hand before cranking up the car and pulling out onto the road.
“We are, but let’s keep this private a little while longer.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promise.
We stop to pick up flowers and a bottle of wine. Despite taking longer than expected to make our selection—it seems we can’t agree on much of anything—we make it on time.
Dave greets us at the door and makes the introductions.
“It’s nice to meet you, Joe, and good to see you again, Fiona.”
“These are for you.” I hand the flowers to Jennifer.
“Let me get them in some water. Dave, why don’t you open that bottle of wine? It’ll go well with the appetizers I put out.”
We follow the couple through the house and out to the patio overlooking the river. The view is even more stunning than from our places, looking out over Cape Fear. A small yacht sits on the dock a few yards away.
We chat about Wilmington and the movie, enjoying plenty of fresh seafood and the crisp white wine Fiona insisted on.
“How long have the two of you been together?” Jennifer asks, refilling my glass.
“We’re old friends,” I say, giving her my most confident smile.
“Right. Dave told me the two of you dated in high school. You can’t tell me you’re not rekindling your relationship.” Jennifer looks from me to Fiona and back.
“We did. And it’s nice to have him back,” Fiona says.
“Let me guess? My husband gave you the no-office-romance-speech?” she asks Fiona.
“Would the two of you like to see the boat?” Dave asks, getting up and holding his hand out for his wife.
“You did, didn’t you? You’re such a hypocrite. We met and fell in love working together,” she says, staying put and picking up her wine glass.
“Which means I know first-hand how distracting it can be. And I can only imagine how strange it gets if things don’t work out.” Dave sits back down when none of us shows interest in the yacht.
