Page 33 of After the Red Carpet
“Ella, congratulations on the success of your books. With all the buzz around their release, I felt honored to have been there while you were working on them,” Charlotte said.
“Yes, congratulations,ma chérie,” Jean added.
“Thanks,” Ella replied.
“I still can’t get the damn sex book out of my mind after all this time,” Jean quipped.
Ella giggled.
“We had a great time on her book tour,” Finn said, squeezing her shoulder. “Her readings were brilliant. She’s so funny, so smart. I was bowled over. There were long lines at each of her signings. Readers can’t get enough.”
“Finn and I are both road dogs; we loved hopping from city to city. His next film shoots in LA, so it was a nice chance to spread our wings before we head home for a while.”
“What’s next for you, Ella? Something provocative, no doubt,” Charlotte said.
“A philosophical exploration of love.”
Jean snorted. “Make sure you write about how romantic love can leave you emotionally and financially bankrupt.”
“Ever the optimist,” Ella joked as the others laughed.
“I’m just saying, make the book practical. I have one word for you: prenup,” Jean said.
“And I have one word for you: fidelity,” Ella retorted.
When the group’s laughter simmered down, Willow said, “That seems like a hard thing to write a book about, love. It’s such a big topic.” She looked around nervously. “Is that a stupid thing to say?”
Ella smiled. “Not at all. You’re right, which is why I’ve avoided taking it on until now. Truth be told, I haven’t a clue how I’m going to do it. I’ve been reading, jotting down ideas, hoping somehow it will start to take shape, but I’m still not sure where to start.”
“What made you interested in love?” Michael asked.
Ella smiled sweetly at Finn and then looked back at her friends. “Before Finn came along, I was terrified of what happens to our identities when we love. I had always clung to this idea of being whole and autonomous, and that notion seemed counter to what happens to us whenmebecomeswe.” She shook her head and continued, “Like I said, I’m not sure how I’m going to tackle it or where it will lead, only that I’m no longer afraid to find out.”
Finn pecked her cheek.
Michael huffed. “I get where you’re coming from. If you’d have told me a couple of years ago that I’d be running car pools or spending Saturday nights at home playing board games, I’d have said there wasn’t a chance in hell. But now . . .” He paused to take a swig of his drink. “This has been the best time of my life. Lauren is amazing, and Sophie is the greatest kid. I just like hanging out with them.”
Willow smiled and Charlotte patted his arm.
“Last time you guys came over to hang out at the pool, Lauren told me what a wonderful father you’ve become,” Ella said.
“Sophie makes it easy. She’s so much like her mother: a total sweetheart,” Michael replied, a faint smile sweeping across his face.
“There’s nothing like being a parent, is there?” Charlotte said.
“Speaking of which, do you have new pictures of your sweet little Rupert?” Ella asked.
“I want to see too!” Willow chimed in enthusiastically.
Charlotte smiled, scrolled through her phone, and then passed it around the table.
“Aww, he’s the cutest little thing ever,” Willow gushed.
“He’s getting so big,” Ella added.
“He’s beautiful,” Finn said, passing the phone back to her.
“So, Ella, Finn, when are you two going to take the leap and pop out a kid or two?” Michael asked.
