Page 96 of Between the Lines

CHAPTER 35

AIDEN

LA is too hot today. We’re in an unusually early heat wave that has temperatures pushing to nearly a hundred. It’s a Saturday, but that doesn’t matter at all. I’ve been on the phone with lawyers practically all morning. The press has somehow gotten a hold of the issues we’re experiencing concerning some inaccurate tax returns. It’s the one thing I didn’t want to happen.

A routine error. We’re fixing it now with the tax agency and making the necessary changes with our accounting department.

But given Titan’s history…

I don’t want this in the media.

And now I have this damned brunch. There’s a bunch of people milling around on my deck. My pool is open, and I can’t wait for all of these people to leave so I can dive under the surface and not come up again for a long, long time.

Charlotte isn’t home.

I haven’t seen her since the other night. She’s been in and out of the house at different times than me, and I’ve been hounded by trying to solve this problem.

Since she’d slipped away from me. Disappeared upstairs while the damn alarm kept blaring and wouldn’t shut off until I switched the batteries.

The people milling about my backyard are all industry professionals. It’s a small brunch, informal, mainly for networking. Building relationships. Isn’t it always like that? Especially since some of the people attending today had turned their back on Titan two years ago.

I’m talking to a TV producer who works in Burbank when I hear the sound of my gate opening. Only a few people have the remote for that.

I spot Charlotte’s red Honda.

It really does look like a death trap. I should do something about it.

“Aiden?” the executive asks.

I smile. “Sorry. We were talking about the strikes. How did they affect you?”

We talk for a little while longer. Charlotte disappears, and I lose track of her entirely until I spot her later next to my sister. They’re chatting with Logan Edwards.

Mandy and the movie star go way back. They went to school together, and I’ve known him for most of his life. We’re in that nebulous land between acquaintances and friends, but now that we’re older, we’re also in a good position to help one another. It’s a beneficial relationship.

He’s smiling at Charlotte. She’s in a summer dress that has blue and white flowers all over, her hair cascades pretty around her face, and he’sreallyfucking smiling at her.

She laughs at something he says.

And why wouldn’t she? He’s on posters all around the world right now. One of the biggest up-and-comers. He has a jawline that even a model would be envious of.

I knock back a glass of mimosa Elena arranged to be served and move through the crowd. Mandy sees me and halts me before I can get to where Charlotte and Logan are standing.

“Hey,” she says. “Thanks for sending over your thoughts on the financials. Gemma and I have looked over everything, and I think we’re in good shape for the launch.”

I clear my throat. Right. My sister is now a co-owner of an adult toy company. It’s focused on female pleasure, on health and wellness, and on fun. I haven’t seen her this jazzed about anything in years.

Mom didn’t approve at first.

I had to talk to her about that. Told Mom to not make Mandy’s life any harder than it has been, and that if this energized Mandy—if this gave her purpose—to let my sister have this. That was a little over a year ago, and since then, I’ve seen Mandy blossom. She’s always been creative. She just didn’t have a place to apply that creativity.

“Of course. I’m proud of you.”

She blinks a few times and then gives me a beaming smile. “You are?”

“Yes. Of course, Mandy.”

“Thank you. I… thanks.” She clears her throat. Dad’s conviction was hard on all of us, but she took it the most personally. It wasn’t just her feelings that were hurt, but she felt his betrayal on behalf of both me and our mother, too.

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