Page 117 of Out of the Gold

Chase

I wipe my mouthwith my napkin while tension releases throughout my body. The past few days have been perfect. The wrap party. Melody’s promotion on the HBO series. My own feeling of accomplishment at having played Troy Oro, aka Doctor Manipul8, for the final time.

Melody and Lindsay having a short, yet civil, conversation on the phone yesterday.

Her father inviting me to stay in their house and to call him Brax.

The possibilities ahead are endless. Those three important words are at the tip of my tongue.

I beam at the people around the table. Ma and Dad seem to be getting along well with Brax and Sara—especially since Sara’s the band’s accountant. Which is relatively close to being a lawyer.

“After working less than a year as partner, though, I couldn’t take it. It was too hard being away from Brax, and my heart wasn’t in the firm’s work anymore. But I admire what you both have accomplished with your firm. Especially you.” She directs her attention toward Ma. “Being a woman partner can be its own form of torture.”

Ma laughs. “Can’t argue with you there.”

“How did you manage? I mean, you had not one, but two children to raise as well as juggling your career.”

I jump into this conversation. “My parents worked a lot, so they hired nannies for us.” Wanting to divert this discussion, I add, “We went to the same schools as Melody, although I was too old to attend the same one as your daughter at the same time.”

Melody puts down her wine glass. “That’s true. Your reputation preceded you, even to my year. Your playing the lead inFiddler on the Roofin the high school play was legendary.”

My father says, “Goodness, he practiced that piece on the violin for hours. I swear, he played it in his bed.”

Everyone laughs. I squeeze Melody’s thigh to convey my appreciation at her diversionary tactics. “I wanted to be sure I could play it right.”

“And you did, honey,” Ma supplies. “I can’t say we weren’t happy when it was over, though.”

More chuckles. Melody and I stand to clear the table. In the kitchen, I pull her close for a kiss. “Good work out there.”

“Thanks. I didn’t want to get too deep into your childhood, including Lindsay, this being our first meeting and everything.”

I kiss her nose. “It seems like everyone’s getting along really well.”

“I’m so happy.” She wraps her arms around my neck.

“You know something else, Goldie?” She quirks her eyebrow. “I actually miss being sewn into my costume every morning. Is there something you can do about that?”

She grabs my head and kisses my lips. “Tonight I can cut you out of your jeans.”

I hoot a laugh. “I’d let you.”

She steals another kiss. “Come on, let’s get this cleaned up.”

We load the dishwasher and return to the dining room, where a game has been set up. Her dad says, “Good thing you came out when you did. Otherwise, I was going to have to send in a search party.” His wink at Melody lessens the impact of his words.

I rub my hands together. “What do we have here?”

Sara responds, “Cards Against Humanity.”

“Oh fun,” Melody replies. “I love this game. We play it on set when we have a break.” She pauses. “On the TV show, I mean.”

Brax swells. “I’m so damn proud of you, Princess. Getting named the lead costume designer on the show is a big accomplishment.”

Her cheeks redden. “Thanks, Daddy.”

Not to be outdone by her father, I say, “It really is a big deal, especially since Judith gave her the choice to stay with her on Noble’s next movies.” I wrap my arm around her slim shoulders, which have carried so many hurts. “She’s special.”

Melody looks at me, all the love in the world shining in her eyes.

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