“Let’s keep that thought between you and me.” Even the implication would crush Georgia.
Adam nodded as Paige walked off without so much as an introduction from her husband. Class act, Ellsworth.
“Speaking of Scarlett’s…life,” Damian continued. “When do I get to read the manuscript?” He sipped at his drink casually.
“It releases in March.” I was done playing nice.
“You’re really going to make me wait until release?” He laughed it off. “Imagine if we announced the movie at the same time as the book. The sales would be astronomical.”
“Georgia’s never going to let you make the movie.” I grinned.
“Of course she is. She’s just pissed about Paige. She’ll come around. Trust me.”
“Trust you. That’s funny.” I nodded to Adrienne, and her steps quickened as she saw who I was standing next to. “You can trust me, Ellsworth. It’s not going to happen.”
His expression changed, dropping all pretense of humor. “What would it take for you to cough up that manuscript? Maybe lean my way so Georgia does the same? From what Ava tells me, you two are…close.”
“I’m in love with her,” I corrected him.
“And?” He tilted his head, zero emotion in his eyes. “My offer stands. Happy to kick something back for you, too.”
“I’d rather die.” I held out my hand to Adrienne. “You ready to go?”
“If you are,” she replied.
“I am. Damian Ellsworth, meet my sister, Adrienne. Adrienne, meet Georgia’s piece-of-shit ex.” I turned away from his beet-red face. “Adam. Carmen. It was great to see you.” Pivoting with a smile, I walked away with Adrienne at my side.
“Emotions have no place in business, Harrison,” Damian sneered. “Eventually Ava will wear her down. She always does. How do you think I own the other ten options?”
I paused. He’d made five movies and still had five to go. I’d seen the way she dug her heels in for Scarlett’s wishes, so then why did she give up… Sometimes the only way to keep what you need is to let go of what you want. Her words from that day at the creek.
“Do you now?” My smile widened. What if she’d been referring to something else entirely? Clever woman.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he snapped.
“It means I know Georgia better than you do.” I didn’t bother to wait for his response. “Sorry we aren’t staying for dinner,” I said to Adrienne, walking her to the door.
“I only came for the show,” she said with a shrug. “Did you get what you needed?”
I nodded, moving us through the crowd.
“You don’t look pleased.”
“Georgia has trust issues.” I nodded at another acquaintance as we approached the coat check.
“Obviously.” Adrienne blinked up at me.
“What would you do if you knew the only person in the world Georgia trusted completely had lied to her for her entire life?”
“Are you certain?” She paled, her eyes widening.
“About ninety percent.” Give or take.
“You have to be a hundred, and then you have to tell her.”
I cursed. “That’s what I figured.” Getting Georgia back just became a lot more complicated.
Chapter Thirty-Two
June 1942
Ipswich, England
“What are you doing?” Scarlett asked as she walked into the living room.
“Packing your things,” Constance answered without looking up. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Every muscle in Scarlett’s body locked at the sight. Constance had one trunk and two cases open between the sofa and the window.
“Stop,” Scarlett ordered, her tone shrill enough that William startled from where he sat on the floor.
Constance paused for a moment but finished folding a piece of William’s clothing, placing it in one of the cases. “You have to go,” she said softly, turning to face her sister.
Scarlett’s eyes burned, but she blinked back tears, just as she had for the last two days. “I’m not leaving him.”
“Of course you’re not. You’re taking him with you.” Constance looked pointedly at William.
“You know damn well I mean Jameson.”
Constance lifted her chin, and in that moment, resembled Scarlett far more than Scarlett resembled herself. “They have searched twice—”
“Twice is nothing!” Scarlett crossed her arms in front of her chest, fighting to hold herself together. “Just because they’ve searched that stretch of coastline doesn’t mean he didn’t land somewhere else. It takes weeks for the first confirmations to arrive if he’s been taken prisoner. Maybe even longer if he’s hiding.” Tomorrow. One more search. Two more weeks. Her heart pushed the deadline back every day, fanning the embers of hope that logic denied.
Constance’s wedding ring flashed in the sunlight that streamed through the living room window as she rubbed her temples.
“You don’t have to stay,” Scarlett reminded her. “You have a life.”
“As if I would leave.”
“You have a new husband. A husband who, I’m sure, is angry to know you’re using up all your leave to be here.”
“It’s compassion leave. It doesn’t count. And he’ll survive. Besides, he’s only my husband. You’re my sister.” Constance held her gaze, making sure Scarlett saw her resolve. “I’m staying. I’m packing your things. And tomorrow, I will drive you and William to the airfield to meet Jameson’s uncle.”
“I’m not leaving.” How could she possibly abandon Jameson when he would need her the most?
Constance took Scarlett’s hands in her own. “You have to.”
Scarlett ripped her hands away. “No, I don’t.”
“I’ve seen your visa. I know how close you are to the Americans’ quota, and I’ve seen the expiration date. If you don’t take this chance, it might not come again.”
Scarlett shook her head. “He’ll need me.”
Constance’s expression softened, filling with compassion.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Scarlett whispered, retreating a step. “He could still be out there. He still is out there.”