“I think it’s the right thing.”
“I agree.” Catherine takes a pause. “How are things in Sugarloaf?”
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
I know better than to hide things from her. Not to mention, if she doesn’t know about the dumb things I’m thinking, she can’t protect me from them. It’s a lesson she drills into all her clients.
“I met someone. Someone who I really shouldn’t like, but I can’t seem to stop myself. She has two kids, and I like them too—so much so that I’m directing the middle school play.”
There’s a silence, and I look down at the phone to see if she’s still there.
“Hello?”
“I’m here,” she says softly. “What’s she like?”
Brenna’s face comes into my mind, so perfect, so clear that I’d swear she was in front of me. Her long red hair falls around her shoulders, just grazing the tops of her breasts. Those blue eyes with flecks of yellow staring back at me, begging me to kiss her and yet not at the same time. I can see her smile, the way her face bunches up when she’s truly happy.
Fuck. I’m in so much trouble.
“She’s beautiful. She has the most gorgeous red hair, freckles so light on her face you have to really be close to see them, and her eyes are ones you get lost in. But that’s not even the best parts of her. She’s funny, smart as hell, and has been through a lot of shit but isn’t jaded.”
“Well, that was descriptive. I meant more like . . . is she crazy?”
I laugh. “No, she’s not crazy. She’s actually a therapist.”
“Please tell me not yours.”
“Fuck off.”
“I’m just asking. Anyway, what about your timeline?”
“What about it?” I ask.
“Just . . . you know that you can’t get involved with anyone, Jacob. I’m not saying that to be mean, but you know the way these things go. You’re the hottest new actor in Hollywood, and the only reason you’re getting this respite is because they think you’re off the grid in Canada to prepare for Forced Landing. If they find out you’re in the States and seeing someone? The press will hound her and the kids.”
“I know.”
“I know you do, but this is reality.”
“And what about my life, Cat? Am I not allowed anything anymore?”
“Of course, you’re allowed a life.” She sighs. “I just don’t want to see you hurt. My job is to protect you. That said, it sounds like you really like her.”
It’s not a question. Catherine has known me long enough to hear it. “I do.”
“Then, who cares what I say? Go for it. You only get one life, Jacob. I’ll be here to mitigate whatever the fallout is.”
“I don’t care about my fallout. I care about hers. She’s a widow. She has two kids, and I’m not moving back here. Ever. I have four and a half months before I leave Sugarloaf, and I’m not going to end up like my brothers and put roots down in this godforsaken town. She’ll be the one broken, so there’s no going for anything.”
“Famous last words.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I don’t even know why I’m arguing because it doesn’t matter. I’m going to focus on my career and not get involved anyway.”
“You did say that.”
“Why do I feel like you’re mocking me?”
Catherine laughs. “Because I am. You know, in the last few years, you’ve never talked about a woman like this. Yeah, sure, you had those random hookups, and that one actress—whatever her name is—that you sort of liked, but I can hear a difference.”
If she were in front of me, I’d flip her off. “We’re friends, I like her kids, and we’re working on the play together.”
“Okay. Whatever you say.” I think she’s going to drop it, but then she says, “If it weren’t something you were thinking about, you wouldn’t have brought it up.”
“Nothing is going to happen.”
“I know. I believe you, Jacob. Truly. I mean, I don’t at all, but—”
“But you’re a pain in my ass.”
She snorts. “Yes, and you’re a walk in the park. Anyway, enough of this, I just got the email that Noah is on the line. I’ll start the video call.”
A few seconds later, Noah Frazier and Catherine’s faces are on the screen.
“Jacob, it’s great to see you again.”
“Noah, same.”
He smiles warmly. “How are things?”
“Good. You?”
A little girl’s head pops up from behind him, smiling mischievously. He turns. “Aubrey! I am on a call, shut the door.” His voice is firm, but she looks totally unfazed.
She walks in and does what he says. “You promised no work today and that you’d take me to the store.”
“And I will, but you need to give me some time.”
She tilts her head and then her eyes see the screen. “Is that Catherine?”
“Hey, sweetheart,” Cat says. “Where is your mom?”
“She’s out with Aunt Nicole. Noah promised he’d take me to the store so that I could get something Mom said I couldn’t.” Aubrey rests her elbows on the desk and then props her head on her fists so she takes up the whole screen.
Catherine chuckles. “How happy I’m sure she’ll be.”
She shrugs.
My phone pings with a text.
Catherine: Noah’s girlfriend is my cousin-in-law. That’s how Aubrey knows me. I used to represent Noah, but when they started dating, he went to another publicist.
Me: So, Noah left your company for another one, and now you have to work with him again because you represent me? How is that working for you?
Catherine: It happened years ago, so calm down. Besides, I would have broken the contract with him either way because of conflict of interest.
Aubrey speaks again. “Wait! You’re the Navigator, aren’t you?”
I smile. “I am.”
“That’s cool.” She turns to Noah. “Can we please go before Mom gets back?”
“I’m sorry about this, guys,” Noah says and then mutes the call as he talks to her.
Catherine laughs. “Kids.”
“I have a niece about Aubrey’s age, I get it.” Hadley would be the same way if Connor were gone a lot. She adores him, needs him, and is attached to his hip when she can be.
Noah unmutes as Aubrey sits in the chair behind him with her arms crossed. “I’m back. I forgot that you’re back home now. How’s that going?”
Catherine answers for me. “He’s directing the town’s school play.”
Noah’s eyebrows shoot up, and he lets out a chuckle. “Really? Well. Wow. Good for you. How’s that going?”
I’m not sure if being annoying is grounds for termination. “It’s fine. We have auditions later today.”
“The fun part . . . said no director ever.”
“Any tips?” I might as well get advice where I can.