“No. I work for a car collective, and we provide cars for several celebrities. I work with Frank mostly. I’ve driven Ms. Conway for many years, and I like her very much. She’s very kind.”
He shot me a quick side-eye as a warning. He was silently sayingdon’t hurt our girl, and I got it. Without realizing it, Billy touched those around her in a quiet way. She hit all the right nerves, making everyone feel brighter. Except her brother—with him it was a push-pull of caring and control. He was sort of a father figure when he wanted, I noted.
Looking out the window, I didn’t respond to Sampson. Instead, I nodded, continuing to take it all in. The sky was blue, and we passed palm trees and tall buildings, speeding down the freeway.
“West Hollywood,” Sampson said without me asking. “That’s where Ms. Conway lives. Ford lives near the water, and I know she likes it there too, but her building suits her. For now.”
“You seem to know Billy well.” The words rushed out of my mouth; jealousy wasn’t a good feature on me.
“I do. I used to work for Ford, and when he first dragged Billy back here I was in charge of making sure she got where she needed to be. It’s a time we don’t discuss much. She partied and Ford worried. I figure you know about that…how Ford was sent to watch over her. He’s probably why her career skyrocketed. He forced her to focus.”
Again, I only nodded, reminding myself why Ford thought of himself as a guardian. I didn’t know all of this backstory, but it seemed to make sense out of Ford and Billy’s dynamic. He was used to being in charge, and she wanted to assert herself yet felt indebted. Her love for Laurel had new meaning.
“I’m glad she has you, then. Looking over her,” I clarified.
He gave me a lift of his chin in the rearview before pulling into a garage. He wound his way to an elevator bank and jumped out of the car. “This is where you will take the elevator to L, and then Petey, the doorman, will call up to Glory, and I’m told she will come down to greet you.”
“Is that necessary? I hate to make her go out of her way.”
He grabbed my suitcase. “It’s a compromise between Frank and Bill. She wanted Glory to meet you here, but the apartment’s been cleared and no one is going up from the lobby.”
“Sounds complicated, but yeah. Thanks for grabbing me. Any way you would take my credit card?”
“No can do,” he said, swiping a key card and hitting the call button for the elevator as I was beginning to realize my visit to Billy’s world was only going to get stranger.
Shaking the errant thought from my head in the elevator, I thought this was how Willa lived, and I wanted into that world…in any way.
“Hello?”
I heard Willa before I saw her. I was sitting in a chair next to a long expanse of windows, perpendicular to another wall of glass that opened to a huge deck. The place was incredible. It should’ve felt severe or cold, but there were tiny Billy-esque touches everywhere, making it feel warm and inviting. I’d been sitting, watching the horizon and reading for an hour, the puppy, Chip, quiet nearby in a crate.
Glory came running out from the back of the condo, and I stood to find Billy walking toward me, Frank fast on her heels.
“Cal!” She pulled me in for a hug and I was surprised with the sudden public affection, but not complaining. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She stepped back, appraising me. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here, but you know Ford. He’s all about the schedule. Did Glory give you lunch?”
I laughed. “Bill, I’m not in preschool. I’m good.”
Glory spoke up. “I tried, but he said no.”
Frank stepped around Billy after this and stuck his hand out. “Welcome to Southern Cal.” I decided to play nice and shook his hand. “Whatever you need, let me know. It’s best I take care of all the details.” And in one quick second we were back at war.
Glory continued to chime in, noting the tiny frown on Billy’s face, which I suspected was more for Frank than Glory. “I asked Mr.—I mean Dr. Rand if he was hungry, and he said he’d find something on his own.”
“Cal, just Cal,” I told her.
“Did you get something?” Billy was shrugging off her coat and handing it to Glory, who scurried off.
“I did,” I said, noting Frank was still lingering. “And I met Chip…”
“My best boy,” Billy noted, a smile lighting up her face.
“I’m going to take the little guy out before I leave,” Glory mentioned and floated off to grab Chip from his crate.
I swept my hand toward the glass doors that led outside. “Pretty swank,” I said, not sure when the other guy was going to leave. He seemed busy on his phone but was watching me with one eye.
“It’s home. I love the patio in the summer for coffee or having a friend over.” She stared out at the view where a teak table and chairs sat, and I wondered what she was thinking.
“What’s the plan?” Frank asked, walking over toward Billy.
