Page 26 of After the Red Carpet
She smiled. “It is, but I’ve decided to tackle it. It’s going to be my next project, a philosophical exploration of love. It’ll probably take me forever, but I’m ready for a big challenge.”
“That’s great, sweetheart.”
“I was always afraid of what happens to our identities, to our sense of being whole on our own when we truly love another. Albie knew about my fear and tried to nudge me in the right direction. When we were all leaving Sweden, he told me love is all that matters. He said, ‘Love, Ella. Love.’ I’ve never been able to get those words out of my mind.” He smiled and she continued, “Finn, last night I was thinking . . .” Ella was interrupted when her cell phone rang, and she retrieved it from her pocket. “Ah, it’s Marni. She’s probably calling to see how the dinner went.” She answered the call. “Hey, Marni . . . It was perfect. His friends are great . . . Well sure, that’s no problem. We can have the meeting at my place.” Finn had to catch his breath. He tried to maintain a straight face as Ella finished her call, but he couldn’t mask his smile. “Okay, bye,” she said.
“Having your next philosophy club meeting here?” he asked.
“Uh-huh. Jade’s still having roommate issues. What’s that grin for?”
“That was the first time you referred to our home as yours. I’m so happy you’re feeling comfortable here.”
“Last night was so much fun, and I finally felt like I could truly be myself here. I feel like I belong.” He rubbedher hand and she continued, “In fact, before we were interrupted by the phone, I was going to say that the backyard is such a beautiful place to entertain. I was thinking that maybe we should have our wedding here. We could have a tent set up. It would be nice to get married here in our home. What do you think?”
Finn smiled so widely he could barely speak. “That would be perfect.”
“Dante texted that he and Jade are both running late. Gives us a chance to catch up. So, Miss Soon-to-Be-Married, how was Boston?” Marni asked.
“Fantastic. The studio rented us the most charming Victorian house in Cambridge, right off Brattle Street near Harvard Square. Finn would go to work and I’d wander down to this little Middle Eastern café, drink fresh mint tea, and read and write for hours. I also connected with some folks at Harvard and MIT to discuss their research and how it relates to my work. On Finn’s days off, we went sightseeing all over the city and had romantic dinners in the North End and on the Seaport. I especially loved all the old brownstones and antique shops on Charles Street. We even drove to Cape Cod for a couple of nights and gorged ourselves on steamers and lobster.”
“It’s cool that you can travel with him to locations. You’ve always been a road dog. I know it helps to fuel your work.”
“Yeah. Finn and I made a deal that we’d always travel together and make an adventure of life. When we have children, we’ll travel as a family and experience the world together. Once our oldest is school-age, Finn promised toonly take jobs in LA except for in the summers, when we can all travel together.”
“Seems he really is the perfect guy for you,” Marni said.
“He is,” Ella said, smiling.
“You know me, I find it hard to believe in the whole knight-in-shining-armor thing. I always wonder if they’re really just a Trojan horse. So, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll hang on to a healthy dose of skepticism.”
Ella laughed. “Suit yourself. My worry is that my mother may share the same sentiment. She and her boyfriend arrive in LA tonight. Finn arranged for them to have a spa day tomorrow to unwind after their trip, then we’re taking them out to dinner where everyone will meet for the first time.”
“I remember Carmen being very warm and free-spirited—boho, like you. Isn’t romantic love right up her whimsical alley?”
“Lust, yes. Love, maybe. Marriage, not so much. I think she’s happy for me, but . . .”
Marni raised her eyebrows.
“I need to prepare Finn in case she says something off-putting. It’s just another ball to keep in the air. You can’t imagine what a jumble my mind is with the wedding in only three days. There’s so much to do, and I just want everything to go off without a hitch.”
“It will,” Marni assured her. “I may not be the most romantic of hearts, but you are and Finn is, and that’s all that matters.”
“Thanks.”
“But with everything you have going on, why did you come to our meeting today?”
“I missed the last couple of months because of the shoot, and after the wedding, we’ll be honeymooning on the Amalfi Coast for two weeks. I don’t want to get kicked out of the group for truancy.”
“Fat chance. You know I’ve always had a fondness for delinquents.”
Ella laughed. “Besides, before I get married, I wanted a little reminder of who I am. Just me.”
Marni smiled. “Well, I may not have the bridal gene in me, but I’m happy for you. To show it, I plan to get rip-roaring drunk at the wedding.”
“Do me a favor: if my mother needs it, get her drunk too.”
“HEY, SWEETHEART. THE JET LANDEDand your mother and Alejandro are being driven to their hotel,” Finn said.
“Thank you again for taking care of all the arrangements.”
