Page 85 of So in Love
“No promises, but I’ll try.”
“Deal.”
It was moments like these when Crystal wondered why she stayed away.She kept in touch with everyone, but it wasn’t the same as being here.And yet, she knew she’d never come back.Not permanently.She could forget about all the lousy memories and crippling regret when she was nestled in the arms of her family.But the minute she stepped outside that safety net, she was reminded of how bad things had been.And how a lot of people would never forget it.
After making the rounds and joining in a silly rendition of “Happy Birthday” with several nonsensical verses tacked on by all the kids, Crystal helped her mom and Delia cut and distribute the cake.
A few minutes later, a disturbance cut through the conversation, and Crystal realized someone had arrived.She looked up from her plate of cake to see Alaina coming toward her—slowly, because everyone stopped her along the way for a hug and to chat.Alaina was a celebrity wherever she went, and not just because of her status as a movie star.She was charming and generous, and everyone loved her despite her mother, who was a drug addict, having been the last generation’s town pariah.Alaina had sent her to rehab twice and she now lived an extravagant lifestyle in Texas.Alaina was more than happy to pay to keep her out of trouble—and out of Alaina’s hair.
Mom hugged Alaina.She’d stepped in as Alaina’s surrogate mother from the time she and Crystal had met.While Alaina’s mother had been getting high, Crystal’s mother made sure Alaina had clean clothes and a decent meal.“My goodness, it’s lovely to see you.And look how adorable you are.”She dipped her gaze to Alaina’s belly.“How’s that sweet Alexa?”
“Wonderful, thank you.She’s at home with her daddy.”She darted an uncertain glance toward Crystal.“I just came to, uh, hang out with Crystal.”
“Really?”Mom sent Crystal a dubious look.“She didn’t say you were coming.Must’ve slipped her mind.”
Crystal said nothing, just shoveled a bite of cake into her mouth.
“Gramma!”One of Crystal’s younger nieces bounded onto her grandmother’s lap.“I’m all gooey.”She held up her hands, which were covered in frosting.
Mom chuckled and lifted her up as she stood from the table.“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Alaina took the vacated chair next to Crystal.“I thought we should talk.”
“Heard of a phone?”
“In person.Don’t be a Jessie Winthrop.”Jessie Winthrop had been a girl they’d gone to school with.She was always sarcastic and obnoxious, but funny enough that people tolerated her excessive snark.
“Youlikedher,” Crystal said.
“Most of the time, but you never really knew if she was a friend—her artifice always got in the way.”
That was true.“Are you trying to make a point here?”
Alaina sighed.“No.I’m trying to hold out an olive branch and sucking horribly.I’m so sorry about last night.You had every right to be pissed.Youdon’towe me anything.On the contrary, I owe you.More than I can ever repay.”
Crystal forked off another piece of cake, but didn’t eat it.“That’s BS.You’d still be you—movie star extraordinaire—whether I’d worked for you or not.”
“If you really think that, you aren’t as smart as I give you credit for.”
Crystal let out a dark laugh.“Joke’s on you, then, because I’m not that smart.”She gave her an intent look.“You know that.”
“Oh, please.You’ve always been smarter than you think.Someday you’ve got to let all that baggage go—who you were at eighteen is not who you are now.That time in your life doesn’t define you.”
She knew that of course.Years of therapy had drilled it into her head.Why, then, was it still so hard for her to believe in herself?Maybe because when she finally did something successful on her own—this screenplay—it had turned into a disaster.“That really hurt last night—your reaction.I know I should’ve told you about Kim, but I was afraid of what you might say.And I was right.”
Alaina flinched.“Ouch.It sucks to meet someone’s low expectations.But you’re right.I reacted like a total douche.But I was hurt too.We’re more than business associates, we’re friends.No, we’re family.Even if you didn’t want to sell me the screenplay—and yes, I would’ve paid you top dollar for it and given you an amazing production deal—I wish you’d told me your plans.I would’ve supported you.”
“After you were done being pissed.”
Alaina tipped her head from side to side.“Maybe notpissed.Either way, what’s done is done, and I behaved like a jerk.I hope you can forgive me.”
Crystal offered a meager smile.“Of course, I can.And you’re right.I should’ve told you.If I can’t trust my very best friend to support me, who can I trust?”
Maybe the guy you ran away from?
She shushed that voice in the back of her head with the bite of cake.
“I’m so proud of you,” Alaina said, her eyes shining.“And I have to admit when that reporter asked me if I was going to star in the movie, I had such a yearning… I haven’t read your story, of course, but I know it has to be great.”
