AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There’s fevered chatter from my mother, father, aunt, and uncle. I tune them out as I begin planning my trip to Scotland. I’ve always wanted to see Grams’s favorite place on earth—her tiny ocean-side hometown. And I regret not taking that trip with her when she was still alive.
Mr. Sloan’s jaw tenses as he holds up a thick stack of papers. “Her last wish is that the family publish her historical biography,Lords of Laire, which, in her words, is the harrowing true story of the House of Laire Scottish royals.”
“Oh, for crying out loud,” Mom mumbles.
Grams’s last book. I never read it, and a wave of guilt hits. I can’t believe I didn’t, and now she’s gone. She kept telling me it wasn’t finished and wanted me to wait until it was done. Well, now Ihaveto read it and get it self-published.
With that, the lawyer demands we sign the paperwork so we can leave his office immediately. After hearing my parents, aunt, and uncle go on and on about how they’re not traveling all the way to the sticks of Scotland just to spread my grandmother’s ashes, I take the beautiful turquoise urn they’re placed in. Then I take her laptop and manuscript, too.
“I’ll do it. Everything.”
7
Coffee Talk
When Maddox and I walk into Queen Bean, we look around as if we’re doing something wrong. I remind myself this is a critical part of looking like a real couple. It’s Wednesday, and our first coffee date before we head to the set.
Patrons glance at us wide-eyed, then look away, business as usual. They’re used to actors, as this place is a star-sighting hotspot. Celebs come here because the crowd is good about giving us privacy and not taking photos.
But now that I say that, Maddox and I must be too tempting of a gossip nugget because I notice whispering and photo snapping of us on the sly.
That’s what we’re going for, though. Wanting to get this over with, I rush to get in line.
Maddox catches up with me, putting his hand on my back. “So how was your evening, babe?”
I lean in and whisper, “I think you’re supposed to know how my evening was.”
“Right. I meant how did you sleep?”
“I slept well, thank you.”
“Cool.”
“Cool.” To say this is awkward would be an understatement. It’s straight-up painful.
We’re supposed to be actors for God’s sake!
Jemma floats through the glass doors, looking casual but perfect, not a hair out of place, and I cringe.
Why isshehere? I mean, it is near the studio. Jemma heads straight to Maddox, smiling when she says, “Loved your dad’s charity event on Saturday night.” I guess she’s forgiven him?
“Thanks.” He gives her a polite smile. I know he’s not over everything that happened, that’s for sure. But he sounds genuine when he says, “You’re nailing all your interviews. Smith told me how happy he is with your work.”
When Maddox’s phone buzzes, he says, “It’s the Emmy nominating committee. I have to take this,” before rushing outside.
I wave him away, smiling. As before, I’m thrilled about what his nomination means forUrban Dawn. But now, it’s more than that. I hate to admit it, even to myself, but I also want him to win because he deserves it.
With Maddox gone, Jemma and I are left standing by each other, and I’m not sure what to say. I wring my hands. “So Jemma, how’s your week going?”
Her lips curve in a mischievous smile. “Not as good as yours, clearly.”
“Yeah, it’s been pretty awesome. Maddox is amazing,” I swoon, pulling it off, if I dare say.
“Oh, he is. What do you think about what he does?” By the piercing look in Jemma’s eyes, she’s trying to do her standard gotcha interview.
She’s making it sound like sex, but could she be talking about something else to trip me up? I stop my mouth from saying, “Does what?” and strain my brain to think back on Skye’s longlist of things I’ve learned about Maddox. His favorite film isOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,his favorite color is green, and his favorite pastimes are gym rowing, screenwriting, and art. So, could she be referring to how he paints beautiful pictures? I’m wracking my brain, but I’ve got nothing concrete.
“Ugh, you’re so daft.” Jemma rolls her eyes. “I’m talking about what he does in bed.”
