Page 79 of So in Love
“Yeah, it’s just… This is more than I imagined would happen.”
“Well, I’m not surprised, obviously.I told you this was a great project, and you knocked it out of the park with that treatment.The romance element with Hiram.Man, I was sobbing at the end of act one.Don’t even get me started on act three.”
Crystal grinned, her exuberance threatening to burst from her chest.“Thanks.For everything.”
“Thankyou.You could’ve given this script to Alaina, produced it, and I’d just be a happy moviegoer.That I got to be a part of this process is awesome.”
“Okay, now you’re just blowing smoke up my ass.”
Kim laughed.“You know me better than that.”
Yes, she did.Crystal couldn’t stop smiling.“Do I need to make a decision right now?”
“Hell no.I’m going to email you details on what I have, and like I said, there may be more action.Take the weekend—at least—to review and reflect.We’ll chat first thing Monday.I’ll send along anything else I get, and don’t hesitate to call me atanytime withanyquestions.Promise?I’m working foryouhere.”
“I promise.Thanks, Kim.”
“My pleasure.”
They disconnected, and Crystal pumped her fist in the air while letting out a sharp cheer.She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth.“Sorry!”
The driver glanced back from the front seat, chuckling.“No worries.Traffic’s starting to break up a bit.We should be in Ribbon Ridge soon.”
“Fantastic.”A bit of her enthusiasm waned.Wow, this was really happening.This movie was going to be made, and the dirty, buried secrets of Ribbon Ridge—and Jamie’s family—were going to be exposed.
Well, if that wasn’t an ice-cold bucket of water on her excitement.Fuck.
Jamie was on her side.He’d be happy for her.So would Alaina and Brooke and Kelsey.But what about the rest of Ribbon Ridge?
She couldn’t help but think of Stella’s comments the day she’d left.And of course Jamie’s mom.They were not going to be thrilled.In fact, they might be downright pissed.
And here she was heading right into the lion’s den—a reception for Kelsey’s exhibit that would be chock-full with Ribbon Ridgers.Hell’s bells.
As they neared Ribbon Ridge, Crystal directed the driver to pull off the highway.She was already running late, might as well stop at the guesthouse and freshen up a bit.After paying her driver and giving a healthy tip, she dashed inside and dropped her bags.She quickly found tonight’s outfit as well as her makeup bag and transformed herself from travel trashed to reception ready.
She hopped in the car and drove into town where parking was tricky thanks to the reception.She found a spot a few blocks away and was grateful that the rain had stopped for a bit.Hurrying toward the library, she checked her phone.Only forty-five minutes late.
The reception was in full swing with light, music, and conversation spilling from the library.Kyle Archer’s restaurant, The Arch and Fox, had catered the event, and Crystal could see food-laden tables through the windows.She also saw several familiar faces.
Panic stole over her, and she froze outside the open door.
Calm down,she told herself.No one knows the screenplay is on the verge of becoming real.No, but they did know she was writing it thanks to whoever had eavesdropped on her at the library that day she’d talked to Kelsey about it.In the conversations she’d had with Jamie over the past two weeks, he’d said he still didn’t know who it was, nor had he heard anything else about it.Maybe the gossip had died a quick, satisfying death.
Yeah, right.Crystal knew small towns, and there was no such thing.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold.Immediately, she saw Kelsey standing near the counter where she checked out books.A news crew was interviewing her.Crystal smiled.She deserved every bit of the spotlight tonight.
“Hey.”The familiar, deep voice landed next to her ear just before his lips caressed her cheek.
She turned, still smiling.“Hey.Sorry I’m late.Traffic was a bitch.I’m so glad you didn’t come get me.”
“I’m not.Think of all that time we could’ve spent together in the car.”
She laughed softly, feeling more at ease and appreciating him for making that happen.“You make a valid point.Duly noted for next time.”
He made a face.“Not thinking about next time yet.I have you here, and I’m not letting you go for a while.”He slid his arm around her waist and drew her close, kissing her cheek again.
“Can we go upstairs?”he asked.“I need to talk to you about something.”
