Page 141 of Out of the Gold

I suck in my stomach, making my abs more pronounced. “I demand tribute as restitution!”

She rolls her eyes, but the smile on her lips tells another story. In a husky voice, she asks, “What do you have in mind?”

I scan her office for a flat surface, but everything’s covered with either paper or fabric. But not her chair. “I’d like to have a repeat performance of this morning’s activities.” Turning, I bring us to her chair and sit down so she’s on top of me.

“I can see that.” Her head swivels toward the open door. “But I think we need to do this show in private.”

She’s right. But I’m not giving up without a fight. I stroke her hair. “A kiss then. From my fiancée.”

“That I can do.”

Her lips pucker and she leans forward. As soon as our mouths meet, the kiss explodes. After a long while, we pull back, each breathing hard.

Our foreheads touch. “What you do to me, Goldie.”

“Right back at ya.”

With slow moves, she climbs off my lap and I stand, reaching into my back pocket and producing her copy ofVariety. “I actually came over here to show you this.”

Her eyes bounce from me to the magazine. “What’s in it?”

“Thought you’d never ask. I mean, you were so busy kissing me and all,” I tease, a large part of me still disbelieving she’s actually mine. I double-check her left hand, and my heart swells at the confirmation.

She shakes her head. I open the magazine to the small article and point. “Let me do the honors.”

I shake the magazine. “Headline—‘Ladies of the AbbeyGets Hunted.’”

Melody’s eyebrows rise, and she bites her bottom lip.

I start reading, “The hit HBO drama has undergone some changes during this hiatus. Judith Harris led her team from the show to the set ofDoctor Manipul8, and she emerged with a new title. That of the newest lead costume designer for Ned Nobleman—better known to all as simply Noble.

“‘I was so impressed with Judith’s work ethic and ability to be prepared for any eventuality, not to mention her extremely creative designs. When my next movies were greenlit, I knew she had to head up my team.’

“Noble’s gain was HBO’s loss. Moreover, it was discovered on the movie set that one of Judith’s assistant costume designers, Helene Parker, was undermining the film in order to get ahead. Parker is now awaiting trial in California for her efforts of sabotage.

“Which left Judith’s other assistant, Melody Hunte, 25, as the sole remaining option for HBO if they wanted to stay in-house. HBO is known, however, for bringing in new talent under such circumstances.

“Not in this case, however. Hunte was named as the new lead costume designer for the HBO series and word on the street has it that she’s very hands-on. She’s already hired two assistants and is busy at work creating new designs for this season.

“‘We’re thrilled to have such a young and vibrant talent with us, leadingLadies of the Abbeyforward. Ms. Hunte offers a unique perspective and brings an exciting eye to the design. She is going to make a very big splash here on the set, and we can’t wait to showcase her work,’ an HBO spokeswoman said.

“Hunte is the daughter of the legendary rock star Braxton Hunte, of the band of the same last name, about whose career a movie is in the early stages of production now.”

I finish the article and set it down on her desk. Melody slams her mouth shut. “Wow. That was some article.”

I point to the part about Helene. “I wish they had done a better job of describing all the bullshit she put you through.” I tap on the magazine. “You know, I have only one unanswered question when it comes to Helene. How on earth did she manage to pull the stunt about my gloves?”

Melody swallows. “I’ve thought about that for a long time. I don’t think she did anything. I believe the buckle somehow got caught in that boy’s curls, and everything unraveled from there. Although, Helene was prepared with the silk material we finally used.”

“Accident then?”

She nods. “I think so. But when she realized how easy it would be to foster more accidents like that one, I think that’s when she went over the edge.” Melody picks up the magazine and repeats the last line. Big, expressive hazel eyes meet mine. “I’m being recognized for my own work. Not for being someone’s daughter.”

I drop to my knee in front of her. Grabbing her hands, I say, “You’re your own talent, Melody Hunte. You bring wit and creativity and vibrancy to any set you’re on. Your creations are clever and fit with the aesthetic the director is trying to convey. Yes, Brax is your father, but you are a formidable woman in your own right. I bet you, one day, there will be a movie made about you.” I kiss her fingertips.

“Oh, excuse me!” Melody’s new assistant stands in the doorway. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Melody stands up and waves her left hand. “No worries. What’s up?”

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