Page 74 of A Very Happy Thanksgiving
Phae closed her eyes and sighed. “We decided she’d be better off with Cole than without him.”
“And how did that work out for her?”
“They’re so happy it makes my teeth hurt.”
Hope sparked in Marc’s heart, and he sat up so he was eye to eye with his girl.
“Then why can’t we be happy too? And don’t tell me Cole isn’t a movie star, because soon I won’t be one either.”
“I don’t want you to give up your career for me.”
“I didn’t; I gave it up for me. It was time.”
“You’ve quit acting completely?”
“I don’t need the money. Maybe I’ll do a passion project from time to time, and I’d guest-star in another Whispers special if Serena asked me to, but no more blockbusters after my existing commitments.”
“I was going to surprise you in LA next week. I already booked a flight. None of this subterfuge was even necessary.”
The knot in Marc’s stomach loosened a little, and the spark of hope burned hotter. “It would have been a wasted trip because I figured I’d stay here for a while and renovate Nana’s house.”
“Oh.”
“But if I’d known you were in LA, I would’ve broken every speed limit driving to the airport.”
“So you could get another citation?”
Phae leaned her forehead against his, and that was the moment he knew he had her back. Nothing about this would be easy, but it would be worth it.
“Well, as long as Chet Billings wasn’t on duty. After he joined the highway patrol, he turned into a real jobsworth.”
“I can handle Chet Billings.” She sighed softly. “For me, a conventional relationship is impossible. My job, the travel, my sociopathic tendencies…” She paused for a beat, and her voice grew hoarse. “But whatever I can give is yours.”
Heat turned to flames, and Marc swallowed down the lump in his throat.
“That’s all I’m asking for. Uh, sociopathic tendencies?”
“According to the shrink, I’m a charming liar who lacks empathy. Which is hardly a disadvantage in my line of work—what am I supposed to do, cry myself to sleep every time I shoot a terrorist?”
She wasn’t lying now. No, Phae was being disturbingly honest for once in her life. And she wasn’t completely devoid of empathy either. You only had to watch her with Kitty and Huck to understand how big her capacity for love was, and Marc had felt that passion too.
He quoted Nietzsche again. “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.”
Phae kissed him, and this time it was sweet and tender, more like the old days. Finding their way back to each other sure would be an adventure.
“What are we supposed to tell Kitty?” he muttered.
“I guess…I guess we say I wrapped myself up in the box as a surprise for you.”
“It was certainly that.”
“Despite Dad being a grade-A shit, Kitty’s still a romantic at heart. She’ll believe it.” Phae checked her watch. “And it’s nearly dinner time. We should probably go downstairs.”
“We should.”
They stared at each other.
“So, about those Depo shots…” Marc started.
