Page 137 of Reel Love

Click.

The line goes dead.

I look at the clock.

One hour.

I’ve got one hour.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Alana

I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!

~ The Wizard of Oz

Stevens has a tour scheduled. He needs to leave shortly. I have an hour to decide what to do about this mess.

“I can cancel my tour,” he offers.

He’s still sitting at the kitchen island with me, his hand over mine on the counter, his face etched in concern.

“No. Don’t. It’s probably better if I have a little time to process everything.”

“I’ll call you when I’m finished.”

“Okay. And I’m sorry.” I smile weakly at him.

“For what? You weren’t the one discussing echinodermata sphincters on social media. I’m pretty sure I owe you an apology.”

“What did you just say?” I laugh despite the weight hanging over my head.

“Echinodermata sphincters. And trust me. That’s the last time I’m saying it.”

I snort laugh. “I bet I could get you to say it again.”

“I bet you could get me to do anything.” He walks around the island, leans down and kisses my forehead. “We’ll get through this. Please don’t worry about me or what this will do to me. I’ll be fine. Remember. I survived a whole era of sea hare fame. I’ve got this.”

I lean in and hug Stevens. He wraps me in his arms, absorbing everything. I don’t know how he does it, but for a moment, I believe him.

He’s not out the door five minutes when my mother calls.

“Alana! What is this Caroline is telling me? I saw the video of your conversation with this man. Is he the yoga instructor? The man in the fish suit?”

“One and the same.”

“You’re dating a yoga instructor who somehow has a penchant for strange sea creatures? You’re too young for a midlife crisis, Alana. This has to stop. Your father and I have a plan. We’ve spoken to Rex. He’s on board. We’ll be sending a driver to pick you up this afternoon.”

“Mother …” I try to interrupt her, but she’s driving forward, intentionally giving me no openings.

“We have close to a month until your premier, darling. You and Rex promised me you would continue your relationship at least until then. Have you even given that man a chance? Rex was nominated for an Oscar. He’s a kind man. You two are well suited for one another. I’m not one to step into your personal life. You know that. After all, I allow you to live on that island in your hut on the hill, but the antics must stop, Alana.”

She sighs heavily, but then continues. “You may as well be taking cans of red and white paint and donning a target on your chest. Do you realize the heyday the press is having with this? They’re calling you a cheater. They’re speculating that you’re carrying this man’s child. It’s getting out of hand and the story is not even a few hours old. Couple this with the blurry photo outside your LA apartment and they think he may be a UPS driver! Alana. AU.P.S. DRIVER! How is this even happening?Your father and I are trying to set you up to inherit the production company. And you are undermining yourself at every turn.”

My mother takes a deep breath. There’s the sound of her swallowing water. “I’m going to have to schedule a deprivation tank session after this is settled.”

She sighs.

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