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Twenty-Six

Even after a two-and-a-half-hourflight and a long delay at baggage claim, Maddie still had Micah’s phone call in her head. She hadn’t wanted to talk to him, afraid that she’d break down and run back, but he deserved a goodbye. Besides, knowing him, he wouldn’t quit calling and texting until she talked tohim.

She’d been right—the minute she heard his voice she couldn’t remember why she’d left. But why would she have stayed? Her job was over and Micah hadn’t given her any reason not to go. He hadn’t asked her not to leave, hadn’t told her he wanted to keep seeing her. Hadn’t told her he loved her the way she had stupidly told him. Leaving was the only thing todo.

The conversation had gone well enough. She’d communicated the things that were necessary: I had fun and I left because I was fired. She didn’t want him thinking she’d left because of him. She needed a clean break.

She’d told him he could call. That was the polite thing to do, though she didn’t plan to answer again. Clean. Break.

It doesn’t have to be over, Maddie.

That was what gave her pause, the words she’d played over and over again in her mind. What did he mean? Did he mean they could still shack up until the end of the shoot? Or longer? If it was an attempt to continue their relationship past Friday, it was half-hearted at best. And she couldn’t stay for a half-hearted invitation. Hopeless romantic Maddie wanted whole-heart. She wanted an “I love you” or “Don’tgo.”

It didn’t matter. He had told her over and over he didn’t believe in a real relationship. She’d been the fool for thinking she could changehim.

She texted Bree, telling her she’d be outside in five, slung her bag higher on her shoulder and headed out to the passenger pick-up exit. Bree had been circling the airport and was already waiting when Maddie walked through the automatic doors to the street.

“Oh, sweetie!” Bree jumped out of her car and threw her arms around her friend. “I’m here for you. I want to hear everything.”

Maddie, not normally a hugger, pressed into Bree’s embrace, enjoying the feeling of being cared for. Tears started again, and she pulled away, wiping her eyes. “There’s a lot totell.”

“Start talking.”

After her bags were tucked in the trunk, Maddie climbed into the passenger seat, buckled her belt and recounted the last six weeks. Bree knew bits of it, but Maddie filled in all the holes. By the time she’d told it all, they were back in her apartment in Studio City, curled up on the couch, each with a glass of cheap whitezin.

Bree, having said very little, took a deep breath. “Okay, first, Beaumont’s an ass. You already knewthat.”

Maddie nodded. “How can you stand to be his assistant?”

“I’m rarely in the same room with him. We communicate mainly by phone and it’s easy to ignore his assholishness. Besides, I don’t threaten him. Youdo.”

“I don’t threatenhim.”

“Yes, you do. You’re smart, talented, and you have vision—traits that B. has himself, but he’s very afraid he’s losing or has already lost. Anyway, my point is, don’t worry about him. He faxed me a new call schedule today. They’ll be able to fit the reshoot in without going much past deadline. I had to change a couple of flights out of Denver and extend a permit, but it’s all taken care of with very little cost or inconvenience. The movie’s going to befine.”

Maddie let out a breath. She took pride in her work and had been upset about the lost footage, even though it wasn’t any of her concern anymore.

Bree looked Maddie in the eye. “And B.’s not going to destroy you. I won’t lethim.”

“Thank you.” Maddie took a long swallow.

“That’s what I’m here for.” Bree swirled the liquid around in her glass. “What are you scheduled to donext?”

“I’m supposed to join the crew in two weeks on the set for a Danny Boylefilm.”

“Good.”

Maddie bit her lip. “But I already texted Adam and gave him my notice.”

Bree smiled. “Even better. Are you going to work on your own film instead?”

“Yes.” She’d decided this on the plane. She had some money set aside that she could live on for a bit while she tried to get some producers. Micah had thought her material was good enough. Still, she’d been blacklisted for a reason. “Is that stupid?”

“No. Your work is even better now than it was when the first Beaumont fiasco happened. It’s gotta get a nibble, blacklisted or not. Besides, he can’t rule all of Hollywood forever. Do you have a trailercut?”

Maddie nodded.

“Get it to me, and a copy of the script, and I’ll pass it around to some people I know. It might take a while to convince people that whatever Beaumont has said about you is a lie, but we’ll get there.”