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I blink. “He’d really do that?”
Ivy makes a face. “He really would.”
That asshole. “Well, that won’t matter, because we’re going to get it first,” I reassure her, pulling Ivy into my arms for another kiss. “Even if we have to search every last place with a damn curtain between here and Knoxville.”
Ivy hasto get ready for work, so I finally drag myself away from her kisses, and sneak back up the hill. I open the back door quietly, not wanting to wake anyone, but Hazel is already sitting at the kitchen island with a cup of coffee, scrolling on her phone. “Busted,” she smirks, as I come tip-toeing through. “And what time do you call this?”
I relax. “Too damn early, that’s for sure.”
“Says the man who loves a 4:00 a.m. call time,” Hazel rolls her eyes, as I go to pour myself a cup of coffee.
“Wait, you figured out this damn machine?” I ask, taking a sip.
“Sure, it’s simple… if you’re not distracted by the babe next door.” Hazel grins, eyeing me. “God, look at you. You’re smiling like a lovestruck idiot.”
“And?”
My sister’s eyes widen. “Shit. Love? Really? What does she say?”
“I haven’t asked her anything. Yet.” I lean against the counter, drinking my coffee. “But I was thinking … she could visit LA, and I could spend some time out here. She’s always saying, she wants adventure, so I think she’d be on board with some travel, at least for a while. And they have great studios for filming, out in Atlanta,” I add. “That’s not far. I could have my next movie shoot down here, we’d only be a few hours apart.”
Hazel blinks. “You’ve really thought this through,” she says slowly.
I give a bashful shrug. “I mean … you’ve met her. A woman like that shows up once in a lifetime – if you’re lucky. And I know I am. That’s worth giving some thought.”
“Wow. Ok.” Hazel processes. “Little brother’s all grown up.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say wryly. “But yeah. I’m ready. I want it– with her.”
Hazel smiles. “You deserve it.”
“So do you,” I point out. “When’s the last time you even went on a date?”
“Whoa, just because you’re suddenly all heart-eyed, it doesn’t make you the expert, here,” Hazel says lightly, giving me a smirk. “Unless you want me to list off all the bad situationships and random flings you’ve been having for, I don’t know, your entire life?”
“Good point.” I say quickly, turning to the fridge to grab the eggs and milk. “Moving on.”
The pumpkin pancakes are a hit,and after breakfast, Hazel and Lottie hit the road again. I have some time to kill, so I stroll into town and find a bench out in the fresh air, going over all our info about the treasure again. It’s a fun challenge, trying to decipher Earl’s clues, but that’s not the main thing driving me on now: Ivy cares about this piece of her family’s history, she cares deeply, and that’s what really matters.
My phone buzzes with a call just as I’m musing this curtain reference. Rock curtains? We’ve already ruled out theaters …
“Hi, I have Ron Carlyle on the line for your ten o’clock,” a perky female assistant says.
I pause.Shit. Ron Carlyle is the head of a major studio, one of the old school Hollywood power players. I’d seen an email from my team that he wanted to talk, but I’ve been so swept up in, well, Ivy, that I completely blanked.
“Great, sure,” I say quickly, and shove my notes aside, trying to get focused. If Ron wants to talk, you listen. The guy’s produced dozens of Oscar-winning hits, and mega-franchises, and it’s wild that I’m even on his call list these days.
“Reeve, good to finally chat.” Ron’s rich, weathered voice comes on the line. He’s probably dialing in from his mega-yacht somewhere, just hanging out with Oprah and Bill Gates. “I just got a preview of yourPride and Prejudicecut, it’s looking great. Really impressive work.”
“Uh, thanks,” I reply, raking a hand through my hair. “I appreciate that.”
“I’ve been hearing your name for a while now, and Avery says you really delivered on that little movie of hers.”
I pause, putting two and two together. I’d heard rumors that Avery had set her sights on Ron, and I guess she’s pulled it off. “Well, she’s a real talent,” I say truthfully.
Ron chuckles. “Sure she is. Anyway, I wanted to touch base and hear what you’ve got planned next. Because whatever it is, Scorpio Studios wants it.”
“That’s very kind to say…” I reply, still having a real pinch-me moment that someone like Ron Carlyle is calling me up because he wants to releasemymovies. The man who convinced Scorsese to stay in the game, who has a standing racquetball date with Tarantino. Hell, he has a whole shelf of “Best Picture” awards!
