Page 129 of Reel Love

And scream! “Stevens? What are you doing here?”

“Your assistant texted me that you were in need of something.”

I double over at the waist, my hands to my face and squeal like a fangirl.

“Brigitte! I am going to give her such a Christmas bonus this year!”

“So, I take it you’re happy to see me?”

“Get in here. Oh my gosh.” Stevens steps inside my condo and I throw my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. “You came to visit me?”

“Yeah. When Brigitte texted, I packed a bag.”

“She texted you?” My arms are still around his neck and I’m grinning so big my whole face feels the glow of my happiness.

“She texted me,” he repeats. “Wait. Give me a minute.”

Stevens walks back out to the hall, grabs a duffel bag and a large brown paper bag and shuts the door behind him. Then he takes his phone out of his pocket and reads Brigitte’s text.

“Stevens, I have a big, massive, monumental favor to ask you. As you know, among other things, my job is keeping Alana Graves happy. They say, ‘happy wife, happy life,’ I can’t find a good rhyme for boss, but happy boss makes my life a whole lot easier. So, here goes. Can you manage a trip over to LA? She misses you. It’s kind of all she’s talking about. Let me know. We’ll pay your fees for the ferry or whatever transportation costs you incur along with any other incidentals. P.S. Don’t feed her too much. She’s got to fit into her outfits for the next few days. But after the trip, get her a pizza. Mwah.”

“She texted all that?”

“That was just the first text,” he says with a chuckle.

I sit on the couch and pat the cushion next to me. Stevens joins me.

“She texted more?”

“When I texted back …” He looks down at his phone. “Whatever Alana needs. I’m here to help. I miss her too.”

He looks back up at me and I lean in and kiss his cheek again.

Then I cup his face in my hands. "You were missing me too?”

“Of course.”

“What did she say when you texted that?”

“More emojis than I even knew existed, and this word: squeeeee. And then ‘You’re the best! You’re the best! Ohmygoodness, you’re the best! And … do you have a brother?’”

I chuckle. “I hope you didn’t tell her about your brother.”

“I didn’t. He’s moving. It wouldn’t be fair if they hit it off, which they just might. They both seem to operate on the same frequency of zero-off-switch.”

I chuckle that Stevens has Brigitte pegged after such a short time interacting with her.

“You’re here!” I stare at Stevens and shake my head in disbelief.

“I am. It’s really good to see you.” Stevens loops his arm across the back of the couch and I lean into him, resting my head on his chest.

My phone rings on the coffee table. I groan. But I lift myself off Stevens and check it. The next few days are heavy and important for PR. I need to stay in the loop for any changes or updates.

“It’s Brigitte.”

Stevens smiles.

Before I even say hello, she says, “I know, I know. I’m awesome. Thank me later.”

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