“Only if I can have yours!” Charlie says
“Mine?” Allie says, putting a hand to her chest.
“Absolutely, didn’t you help produce that Uncharted TV show,Love on the Rocks,about that husband and wife survivalist team?”
“That’s the one,” Leo says.
“Oh my goodness,” Allie says, clapping her hands together. “Yes!”
“John Trainer, the husband, helped coach me for my film,Whiteout Ridge.”
“Get out!” Allie barks.
“The Storm Isn’t the Only Thing Hunting Him,” Leo offers. “I love that tagline.”
“Except that I heard that Cellan Rose was difficult to work with,” Allie suggests.
“Yeah, he’s kind of a dick?—”
Duke clears his throat and finally everyone acknowledges us.
Charlie turns and his face lights up. “Hey, hey!” He rushes Duke, who wobbles on his feet when his brother pummels into him. “Man, so good to see you!”
Duke stiffens but makes an attempt to hug back. “What have you done with my brother?”
Charlie pulls away. “Listen, this trip is all about forgiving and forgetting.”
“What did Mom say to you?”
“We’ll get into that on the flight. Actually, it was London who gave me an earful.” Charlie gets quiet for a moment when his cobalt blue eyes land on me. His lips part, and then his eyes bob back and forth between Duke and I. “Whoa, bro, who is this lovely lady?”
Duke rolls his eyes. “Charlie, meet Roxanne Denning. Roxanne … my brother.”
I’m suddenly caught between trying to manage the tension between Duke and Charlie and being absolutely star-struck myself. Though I’ve seen every action movie he was in, my favorite movie of his wasNine of Diamonds, his famous heist film. I even downloaded parts of the soundtrack.
Charlie is famous for many things, his long list of leading ladies he’s fallen for, his car collection, the fact he won a Golden Globe at twenty-eight forWhiteout Ridgeand funded an indie film company that launched his ex-girlfriend’s career. But! Everyone knows the thing that makes him special is that he can cry, I mean, really cry on cue.
The fact that he’s also a Faraday?
The most fascinating thing about him yet. I mean, how is he related to one of the most salt of the Earth men I’ve ever met?
“Roxanne?” Charlie asks.
Oh God, I didn’t realize I’ve been shaking his hand way too long. Duke is also staring at me with furrowed brows.
“Oh, uh, nice to meet you,” I manage to say.
“Wow, Duke, she is stunning. Seriously. Have you ever thought about modeling or acting, Roxanne?”
I hold my stomach and laugh. “Uh, no. I was an oak tree in my elementary school play and that’s as far as I got in my acting career.”
Charlie winks. “It’s never too late.”
“Can we go?” Duke says with a faint growl in his voice.
“Uh, yes, sure,” Charlie says. “Roxanne … a pleasure.”
“Can’t go before you sign something for me,” Allie says.
