Page 12 of After the Red Carpet
Finn laughed. “Some things never change. The first time you and I met was in the makeup trailer in Sweden. As I recall, you ended up sleeping with the makeup artist, not to mention half a dozen extras.”
“Those days are behind me, but it doesn’t hurt to look,” he said with a smarmy smile.
“I wonder if Lauren would feel that way.”
Michael shrugged unconcernedly.
“You two looked solid in Cannes. When I saw you with your daughter the day after the premier, you seemed like a family.”
“We are. It’s been great.”
“How the hell did you get her to take you back, any- way?” Finn asked with a chuckle.
“It wasn’t easy. The night I got home from filming, I called her. Convinced her to go out to dinner with me and Sophie. We went to some tacky little place they both like, a far cry from what I’m used to. Before long, we were laughing hysterically, and the cheap decor and kid-friendly food didn’t seem so bad. We could have shut that place down. Being with them felt great, like coming home. I was ready to slip right into family life.”
“Wow. I’m speechless.”
“Yeah, it shocked the hell out of me too. Unfortunately, Lauren was much more hesitant. I pursued her relentlessly, trying to prove myself. I wanted to show her that I’m a changed man. I showered her with flowers, chocolates, balloons, and I even sent her a singing telegram, but she was having none of it. She made me promise not to have sex with anyone else while we spent time together and got to know each other again. She said something about rebuilding trust.”
“And? Did you abstain?”
Michael huffed. “Yeah, but let me tell you, it was pure torture.”
Finn laughed.
“Eventually, she opened herself back up to me. The thing is, we were always in love. I guess that connection doesn’t go away. Plus, we have a kid together. So, after months of that ‘proving myself’ bullshit, we decided to do it for real this time. I bought us a little house, and we’ve been living together as a family.”
“Wow, that’s great.”
“Yeah, well, I still kept my old apartment. You know, just in case.”
Finn chuckled. “I say this to you in the spirit of friendship: don’t fuck it up. Remember how much you missed her and regretted things. No matter how many women you were with, it was clear that no one could take her place. Try to get it right this time. You’re lucky you got a second chance—don’t blow it.”
“Speaking of second chances, how’s it going with Ella? You two certainly caused quite a commotion at Cannes. Are you living happily ever after?”
“Michael, it’s bliss. She moved in with me right after Cannes. I can’t even describe how good it feels to be with her again, forever this time. Nothing has ever felt better.”
“I’m impressed.”
“How so?”
“Well, just that you were able to get over her leaving you like that,” Michael said. “She broke your heart. It was brutal. Plus . . .”
“What?”
“Ella’s such a free spirit, so bohemian. I’m impressed you got her to settle down. Good for you. I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Finn mumbled, looking down.
Just then, an assistant came into the room. “They’re ready for you both.”
“THIS PLACE IS REALLY CUTE.Super earthy-crunchy,” Ella observed.
“Yeah,” Marni replied, pulling her dark shoulder-length hair into a scrunchie. “Dante’s vegan, so he knows all the best spots where the food tastes like real food and not children’s paste. It’s very Cali.”
Ella laughed. “When in LA.”
“We usually try to meet at one of our places, but Jade’s having roommate trouble, Dante’s apartment is a mess with some big art project he’s working on, and my bungalow is a bit too far for everyone to schlep,” Marni explained. “You’ll love them. Dante’s a gifted experimental artist. He studied philosophy and fine art, and he makes the most provocative installations about the embodied Black experience, referencing everyone from Bordo to Baldwin. Jade teaches philosophy at USC. She’s kind of all work and no play, but she’s super smart. As fate would have it, she’s used your writing in her contemporary philosophy class. I guess she’s a fan!”
