AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You should try it sometime.” Paul filled the mug and passed it over. “Tell me the rest.”
Bram described his visit from Rory and everyone’s reaction to Georgie’s withdrawal. “They know I’m responsible, they want her in the film, and they expect me to fix this.”
“Not a good position for a new producer to be in.”
He couldn’t contain himself. He began pacing the kitchen, making awkward ovals as he told Paul the rest—his trip to Mexico, the lie about Jade, and then the worst, what he’d said to her today. He let it spill out, omitting only the detail about the baby, not because he was trying to protect himself—he was long past that—but because Georgie’s desire for a child was her own secret to reveal.
“So let me get this straight,” Paul said, an ominous note in his voice. “You lied to my daughter about Jade. Then you tried to manipulate her by pretending you were in love with her. After she threw you out, you magically realized you really do love her, and now you want me to help you convince her of that.”
Bram slumped onto a bar stool at the counter. “I’m so fucked.”
“I’d say.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“Yes, and I’m not telling you.”
He hadn’t really expected it. “Will you at least tell her…? Shit. Tell her I’m sorry. Tell her…Ask her to talk to me.”
“I’m not asking her for a damn thing. You created this mess. You can damn well fix it.”
But how? This wasn’t a misunderstanding that could be patched up with roses, mangoes, or a diamond bracelet. It wasn’t a simple lovers’ quarrel that a few words of apology could repair. If he wanted his wife back, he’d have to do something much more convincing, and he didn’t have a clue what that could be.
Georgie came downstairs as he drove away. She hadn’t been able to stay in Malibu with Bram pounding at the door, so she’d driven here. “I heard every word.” Her voice sounded strange even to herself, so cold, so detached.
“I’m sorry, kitten.”
He hadn’t called her that since she was a child, and as he put his arm around her, she buried her face in his chest. But her fury burned so strong she was afraid she’d scorch him, and she drew away.
“I think Bram just might be telling the truth,” he said.
“He’s not. Tree House means everything to him, and I’m making him look bad. He’ll do anything to get my name on that contract.”
“Not long ago, that was exactly what you wanted.”
“Not now.”
Her father looked so troubled, she squeezed his hand—only for a moment, long enough to reassure him but not to blister his skin. “I love you,” she said. “I’m going to turn in now.” She temporarily pushed aside her rage. “Go see Laura. I know you want to.”
He’d called Georgie in Mexico to tell her he’d fallen for her old agent. She’d been stunned until she’d considered all the women he hadn’t fallen in love with.
“Are you getting used to the idea of Laura and me?” he asked.
“I am, but how about her?”
“It’s only been four days since I told her how I felt, and I’m making headway.”
“I’m glad for you. Glad for Laura, too.”
She waited until after he’d driven off before she called Mel Duffy. Jackals were nocturnal creatures, and Mel answered right away. “Duffy.”
He sounded sleepy, but she’d wake him up fast. “Mel, it’s Georgie York. I have a story for you.”
“Georgie?”
“A big story. About Bram and me. If you’re interested, meet me in Santa Monica in an hour. The Fourteenth Street entrance to the Woodland Cemetery.”
“God, Georgie, don’t do this to me! I’m in Italy! Positano. Diddy’s got this big fuckin’ party on his yacht.” He started to cough, a cigarette hack. “I’ll fly back. Christ, it’s not even eight a.m. here, and there’s another goddamn labor strike. Give me time to fly back to L.A. Promise me you won’t talk to anybody else till I get there.”
