Over the last several days, Joe had helped her turn the first-floor sitting room, the dining room, and her own bedroom at Two Lakes Grove into something lovely. It was crisp white, and the floors, now free of carpet, looked beautiful. They were slowly uncovering the history of the place, bringing it to life with each little project.
Two Lakes Grove was far from being done. Goldie looked forward to each paint color decision, each piece of art for the walls, and each step she still had to take to make Two Lakes spectacular.
But there was no deadline. For the first time in her life, she was savoring each slow second.
“You need anything else? Before your girls get here?”
“No, I think I’m good to go. Have you checked on the new fridge? It’s still doing the job?”
“It is. It looks totally out of place since we haven’t redone the kitchen yet, but it’s chilling your cheese and chardonnay.”
“That’s all I need for today.”
“All you need?”
“Maybe not all I need.”
Joe took her hand and actually kissed it. Chivalry wasn’t dead. It just wasn’t in L.A. It was alive and well and thriving on a lazy lake in Michigan.
Goldie’s demands of the VSU had been met. Each one. Even a few that she threw in just to test them were green lit. She would be flying in and out in the winter, at their expense, for her next project. The VSU honchos had given her everything Hedda asked for.
Joe didn’t blink when she explained who she was, how she had planned to try to have the best of both of her worlds. He didn’t ask her to change her life for his. She offered him the same consideration. If they were meant to be, and she did hope they were, it would work out.
He also knew how to make himself scarce when the Sandbar Sisters were rolling in for a girl’s night.
Goldie had invited the Sandbar Sisters, along with Aunt Emma, to come over for dinner and drinks. They had a lot to catch up on.
J.J. arrived first. Her old friend had been researching how to get Goldie’s hair the color it needed to be to finish the VSU shoot in the winter. J.J. had all the tools and skills Goldie needed to be camera ready, to her delight. Goldie thought, at the very least, she’d be driving to Ann Arbor for some of her hair and makeup requirements. Goldie needed a lot of maintenance, whether she was hereor in L.A., but J.J. was rising to the challenge. Goldie was even hoping to convince J.J. to come on location this winter. One of her many demands was that the VSU studio hire the hair and makeup artists she selected. Why not J.J.?
“Look, I’m here to tell you that I can be your full-service hair stylist, but if I’m ever off, do not let Shelly touch you. I promise she’ll convince you to do an inverted bob, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Check.”
Libby and Hope arrived next. A dish in Hope’s hands made Goldie realize she’d not complied with Goldie’s edict not to bring anything.
“It’s a leftover. I literally did nothing.”
Goldie knew that was a lie. “I promise, I had this food delivered. We’re in no danger of poisoning.”
She guided them into the grand lobby and sitting room.
“Wow, just paint, and getting that carpet up has turned this lobby into a showplace!”
“I even helped pull off the carpet. It was the first real test of my true compatibility with Joe.”
“And?”
“He only wanted to kill me once, so I think that’s a great sign.”
“Oh, I hear Aunt Emma’s car.”
Goldie went back to the door and saw a distinguished-looking man get out of the driver’s seat, open the door for Aunt Emma, and then help her out.
Goldie reached out a hand to assist the older woman in navigating the steps into the hotel.
“This place is looking grander by the day. Lovely!”
Aunt Emma joined the Sandbar Sisters in the lobby to appreciate the progress.
