Page 91 of Out of the Gold

“So was Charles.”

She shovels some food into her mouth. “Mark’s always looking for his next score. I’ve heard he has one conquest per movie he works on, and leaves her in the dust when it wraps. I want no part of that.”

“I could talk with Charles about him.”

“No way!” Her finger roams around the rim of her glass. “Mark is who he is. And that’s not for me.”

“If it makes you feel any better, Thomas doesn’t have much time for anything but a meaningless fling. Charles keeps him very busy.” With silly stuff that he should be doing for himself, like booking his own flights.

She taps her fork against the side of her dish. “Really?”

I nod. “I tried to work your name into their conversation today, but I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. He has a full plate. But you know, Mark did specifically ask me to invite you onto the yacht. In front of everyone in the trailer—Charles, Thomas, and Jessa.”

“Jessa was there?”

I cut a piece of chicken. “Yup.”

Sophia eats a few forkfuls. “Okay, enough about me and my dismal love life. What are your plans with Charles?”

I like the fact she uses his real name. “We’re going to go to Chicago after we wrap here. Then, I’ll have to return to New York City, while he has to go to LA for the red carpet forI Was Made for Her.”

“Why don’t you go with him? I don’t think you’re needed at HBO so soon.”

I shake my head. “Only you know we’re dating. If I walked the red carpet with him, it would be everywhere.”

“And that would be bad because?”

“Can’t you read the headlines now? ‘Daughter of Braxton Hunte Dating Hollywood’s Heartthrob.’ No, thank you.”

“Now, Mel, you’re going to have to get over that. Youarehis daughter. CharlesisHollywood’s heartthrob. So what? You’re an amazing costume designer. No matter who he dates, the gossip columns are going to have a field day. Ignore them.”

If only it were that easy. “I know I’ll get there, Sophia, but not yet. I need more time.”

“How does Charles feel about sneaking around?”

“We’re not sneaking.” I drop my fork. “Not really.”

Sophia reaches across the table and places her hand on top of mine. “I know, honey. It’s hard because he’s the lead. And I also know you don’t want to be seen as going from being Braxton’s daughter to Chase’s girlfriend.”

My eyes land on the white tablecloth and I smooth out a nonexistent wrinkle.

She presses, “Am I right?”

“Yes,” I whisper. I force my gaze to lock with hers. “Can you blame me? I love my dad so much, but I need to be valued for my own skills. And . . .”

She waits for me to continue. “And what?”

My boyfriend elbows everything out of his way, taking over all space in my brain. I’m overwhelmed by the rush of emotions, as my stomach performs major backflips, all my limbs tingle, and heat bathes my entire body. I glance at my bestie, who’s leaning forward in her seat urging me to spill.

I gulp. “And, I think I’m in love with Charles.” Hearing the words out loud makes my heart beat erratically. “I haven’t told him yet.”

“You will when the time is right.” She leans back in her chair and beams at me. “I’m so happy for you. But I do understand. Try not to overthink all of this. At the same time, don’t push him away from you, either.”

I brush my palms together, wiping away the dampness. That’s it. I need a break from all things Charles. When the waiter takes away our dirty dishes, I ask, “Want to get a gelato?”

“Now you’re talking.”

We make our way deeper into the town until we end up at my favorite gelato shop. The woman behind the counter recognizes me and reaches for a cup without asking my flavors.

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