Page 60 of Every Star that Shines

On the other hand, would a mature adult demand that I give up that career to be with him?

“Either way, it’s too late,” Delanie said. “I’ve already talked to Josh, and I’ve signed the contract. Again. Sandra even negotiated a bigger trailer for me this time. And a fuel allowance so I can go back and forth to Vancouver on my days off. She even arranged a perpetual supply of Starbucks lattes for me on set. Don’t ask me how they plan to make that happen.”

She chuckled. Always ask for at least one outrageous thing, Sandra had told her. There were more useless things she could have asked for, but she didn’t want to push her luck. Thinking of lattes reminded her of Caleb’s barista hobby, and regret needled her. Maybe she should have asked for an espresso machine. Using Caleb’s had been kind of fun.

“I’m leaving here Sunday morning and driving out to Kamloops so I can be ready for work on Monday morning,” she added.

Marie blinked, but Desmond grinned.

“Cool,” he said. “Does that mean we get to do martinis next Friday night? Marie, there’s that place I’ve been wanting to show you, remember?”

“Wait,” Marie said. “What about Pinocchio? And Caleb? And your Nan’s big award announcement? I already bought my plane ticket.”

Desmond yanked his head back in surprise. “What? Marie got invited to all that and no one said a word to me?”

Delanie pursed her lips. “Sorry, Des. You would have been welcome to come too, but now it doesn’t matter. And I’m sorry for the plane ticket, Marie. I’ll pay you back.” She sighed. She would have to tell them eventually. “Caleb and I broke up.”

Desmond made an appropriately sympathetic face, but Marie gave a shocked frown. “What? Delanie, what’s going on out there, girl? I thought you two had worked everything out. You sounded so happy.”

Delanie swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, adjusting her kitty tank top while she regained her equilibrium. “I thought we were. But I guess there are some differences that just can’t be overcome.”

“Like what?”

“I told you he has a daughter, right? Well, his ex-wife is moving to Ontario and taking Emma with her, and Caleb is planning to move out there now too. I thought Caleb and I would have been able to work something out if he only had to come back to Peace Crossing every few weeks or something. But Ontario . . . that’s another story.”

“There’s a film industry in Ontario,” Desmond said helpfully. “Why don’t you move too?”

Delanie had already considered doing just that—for all of half a second before deciding against it. Even she didn’t want to be that far from home. “It’s too far from my parents and sister,” she was surprised to hear herself say. “Besides, my network is all in BC. And now, so is my job.”

“A job you might be better off without,” Marie pointed out, her eyebrow raised. “I hate to agree with Desmond on this, but you might find something even better in Toronto. Or the thing with Tessa might open some new doors. And then you wouldn’t have to miss the culmination of all your hard work.”

Delanie stared blankly at Marie. “What do you mean?”

“The play? Plus the Molly Davis Memorial Stage announcement? C’mon, girl, you can’t tell me you actually want to miss that.”

“No, of course not. But if missing it means I have a regular paycheque coming in—for actually acting—then I think it’s worth it. Nan would have understood.”

“Mm-hmm. And what about the kids? Do they understand?”

“I . . . I haven’t told them yet. I’ll have Amber tell them on Sunday.”

“After you’ve left?” Desmond gave his head a shake of disbelief. “Delanie, that’s cold.”

Delanie tamped down her annoyance and guilt. She had thought about telling the kids last night at rehearsal, but, if she were honest with herself, she had chickened out. “What difference does it make when I tell the kids? The end result is the same.”

“So it would appear.” Marie’s tone was laden with meaning, but Delanie couldn’t decide what her friend was trying to imply. “And Caleb? Have you told him?”

Delanie shrugged lightly. “He knows.” He’d practically suggested it.

Desmond’s brow puckered, and he ran his hand over his slicked hair. “I don’t know, Delanie. Are you sure about this?”

No. Not that she would admit it with Marie all up in her business. Not this time. “Reasonably.”

Marie hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m just going to say it. Delanie, I think you’re making a huge mistake.”

“Oh, there’s a surprise,” Delanie muttered.

“What’s that?” Marie frowned.

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