Page 74 of Bound by Love
Mary’s eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t forget that man saved my life. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”
Brie realized she would need to be very careful about the way she talked about Mr. Holloway in front of Mary. Even though everyone else could see what a creep he was, for some reason, Mary still held him in high regard because of the gifts he’d left on her doorstep during those years of unspeakable abuse as a child. “I can only speak to what I’ve seen and heard. I don’t know the man like you do,” Brie conceded.
“That’s right.” Mary sat back in her chair, seeming less defensive. “As you are well aware, Stinks, in this business, it’sallabout who you know. People like Greg have the power to make or break a person. I happen to be sleeping with a man of influence. Let me help you get that second film out.”
Brie shook her head.
Mary grabbed Brie’s hand, seemingly desperate for her to agree. “I can’t begin to tell you how ruthless this business can be…but I’ve got an opportunity to do some good here. Please let me do this for your film.”
Brie was touched by Mary’s desire to help, but she was more concerned about Mary’s well-being. “Do you know what I want?”
“Of course. Me winning an Academy Award and your second documentary becoming a worldwide blockbuster.”
“Not even close.”
Mary took another drink, winking at an admirer sitting at the next table. Out of the blue, she said, “You know, even though that Kylie chick may not be a real looker, she’s got something I don’t.”
Brie was surprised by her friend’s comment. She realized that Mary might still be hooked on Faelan even though she was the one who walked out. Brie liked Faelan’s new girlfriend, so she asked cautiously, “What’s that?”
She was unprepared for Mary’s answer.
“The ability to love.”
Mary turned away from Brie when her eyes started tearing up. “I don’t like myself, Brie.”
Her painful confession broke Brie’s heart, and she scooted her chair over, giving Mary a hug. “We all have layers to protect ourselves, woman. You have more than most because you needed them as a kid. But I’ve seen you pulling the layers back, Mary. We all have. Don’t you dare give up on yourself. I love you.”
“You’ve always been an idiot.”
Brie laughed, grateful to see a glimpse of the Mary she knew.
Liam came up with Lea in tow and Mary immediately sat up straighter, nonchalantly wiping the partial tear from her eye.
“You two looked like you were having a pretty intense conversation there,” Liam commented.
“Nah,” Mary answered, slugging down her drink. “Brie was just going on and on about dirty diapers. Like I give a crap about that.” Mary winked at Lea. “See what I did there? That’s called subtle humor, Lames.”
“Oh, yeah…subtle as in it’s so subtle it’s not even funny,” Lea shot back.
Liam turned to Brie, looking her up and down. “To be honest, I never would have guessed you recently had a child, Brianna.”
“I attribute it to all the soup I ate during my pregnancy,” she answered, laughing at her private inside joke.
“You really aren’t funny when you don’t drink, Stinks,” Mary said. “Just being brutally honest.”
Brie smirked at her.
Liam excused himself to get Lea another drink, and Brie took the opportunity to tell Lea, “I have to say, Liam seems nice.”
“He is!” Lea gushed. “The nicest guy I’ve ever met.”
“Well, I don’t trust him,” Mary grumbled.
“Oh, posh, you say that about every guy you meet,” Lea said dismissively. “Here’s the best part…” She leaned forward and informed them, “He’s vanilla, but totally interested in BDSM. I’ve got a newbie to play with!”
“I was going to ask you about that,” Brie admitted, chuckling as Liam returned to the table. When Liam handed Lea her drink, Brie noticed Mary staring at him and wondered if Lea was right that Mary really was jealous.
Rytsar came to mind. Maybe Mary could do with a session with Rytsar’s cat o’ nines. It might break her out of this current funk she was in. At the very least, he could provide her with a challenge.
