Page 109 of Where There's Smoke

“Yeah, I hear that.” I chewed my lip. “You sure you’re all right? You sound a little…I don’t know…”

Like you’ve taken something. Or you’re sick. Or you’re about to pass out.

“I’m fine, Jess. Just tired. You know how it is.”

“Yeah, I know, but…”

“I’m just tired,” she said. “I didn’t realize you were as tiring to promote as a film.”

I smiled to myself. Well, at least her sense of humor was intact. That was always a good sign.

“Relax,” she said with a soft, unenthusiastic laugh. “You worry too much.”

“Yeah, probably, but…” I held my breath for a moment, my mind flashing back to that conversation I’d had with Ranya the night Anthony had dinner with Slade. “Listen, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

I closed my eyes. “I know we’ve talked about this, but I need you to be honest with me. Please.”

“Okay…”

“Everything with Anthony,” I said, barely whispering, “is it—”

“Jesse.” Her voice was suddenly doubly heavy with exhaustion. “Please. I’ve told you. I’mfinewith it. I practically threw you at him, remember?”

“I know, but…” I sighed. “You’ve said you’re okay with it, but I’m still concerned it’s not. I know this whole situation isn’t easy for you, and I don’t want to make it worse.”

Simone forced out a breath. I couldn’t decide if she sounded tired, frustrated, or annoyed. Maybe all three. “Can we talk about this the next time we see each other? I’m beat, Jess. I really don’t want to discuss this now.”

I rubbed my forehead with two fingers. Why did I expect this conversation to proceed any differently than it had the last half-dozen times I’d attempted it in the last week? No idea. I shouldn’t have been surprised, and I supposed I wasn’t. Tired of beating my head against a wall, if nothing else.

I forced my frustration out of my voice. “Sure, we can talk later. How did today go?”

“Good,” she said. “It’s just heartbreaking, though, touring a place like that.”

“Where were you today again?”

“Touring a homeless shelter. I can see why people are trying to get places like that on your radar. The facility needs almost as much help as the people in it.”

“I can imagine,” I said. “I’m supposed to visit a few myself pretty soon.”

“Well, brace yourself. It’s eye-opening.” She paused. “Anyway, I should go. I have that dinner tonight with that environmental group.”

“You sure you’re up for it?”

She laughed softly. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a dinner.”

“I know, but I hate seeing you run yourself ragged.”

“It’s an election. Nature of the beast.”

“Yeah, but you sound exhausted.”

“Of course I am.”

“But are you—”

“Stop worrying about me,” she said, her voice firm. “I’ll be fine. What are you up to tonight? Your schedule looked pretty clear until tomorrow afternoon.”

---