Page 152 of Reel Love

“If you find her in Tennessee, you’ll break Mom’s heart for good.”

Mrs. Reed whispers, “He will. It’s true.”

Dustin says, “She’ll live.”

“No, I won’t,” Mrs. Reed says in that same raspy, hushed voice, but she’s smiling.

Dustin says, “After all, you secured favorite son status for the rest of our days. You’re already one point ahead for sticking around Marbella. Now you’re dating her favorite actress?”

“That did get him some points,” Mrs. Reed says quietly, nodding her head.

I smile. I’m feeling guilty for spying even though this seems to be par for the course, but I also feel … included. I try to imagine my mom, hunkered down with me trying to overhear a harmless conversation. It would never happen.

But maybe I shouldn’t say never. People can change given the right amount of motivation. Maybe one day she’ll come around. I hope she does. She may own a production company and her name may be known around the world, but she’s missing out on this. And connections like the Reed family have are worth more than all of that put together.

Stevens and Dustin come through the door from the screen porch into the house.

Stevens is saying, “You’ll always be her baby boy.”

Dustin says, “Got that right.”

The three of us are suddenly scrambling to look busy, but we’re all laughing too hard to pull it off.

“Oh, so that’s how it is?” Stevens says, crossing his arms and looking at the three of us with a huge, comfortable smile on his face.

“I should have known,” Dustin says. “You two are shameless.” He points to his mother and sister. “And corrupting Alana on her first night in the family. Pitiful, I tell you.”

Stevens walks over to me and places his arm around my back. He pulls me in toward himself and kisses my temple.

“Can I take a raincheck on dishes? I’ll do double next week.” He doesn’t take his eyes off mine.

“Oh, sure. Get a girlfriend and shirk responsibilities,” Dustin teases.

“Yes. Of course,” Stevens’ mom says. “You two have had quite an ordeal this past week. Get your girl home safely.”

Dustin mutters, “Favorite son status.”

Stevens answers him. “Mom’s baby boy.”

Mrs. Reed ignores her sons and walks over to me. Stevens drops his arm so his mom can pull me into a hug.

“Alana, it was delightful to have you here. I’m so glad you and Stevens found one another. You’re welcome here anytime.”

“Thank you so much for having me.”

“You know where to find me,” Mitzi says.

“I sure do. And I’ll have you up to the house one day soon. We can just hang out, the two of us.”

“I’d love that.”

FORTY-ONE

Stevens

I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms,

now and forever.

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