Page 66 of The Director's Daughter

In the winter months, rock slides caused by heavy rain were common and would shut down the highway for hours. Not needing to make way for oncoming traffic, he swung his car across the vacant lanes, parked behind the garage and trotted down the steps.

“Are you here?” he called, lightly knocking and peeking through the door.

“I am,” Anna Lee called back. “Come on in.”

Walking inside he found Anna Lee barefoot, dressed in red shorts and a white tank top.

“Aren’t you the epitome of a beach bunny?”

“That’s because I am a beach bunny,” she said with a happy laugh. “Can I get you something? A beer? Iced tea?”

“A cold beer would be great, thanks,” he replied, staring out at the infinite blue sea.

“You sounded so serious on the phone this morning,” she remarked, pulling the beer from her refrigerator and popping the top. “I’ve been a bit worried.”

“It is serious, and I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to worry you,” he replied, taking it from her, “but when I say serious, it’s not life threatening or anything like that. In a way, I have good news.”

“Is it about the film? Is everything okay with Jackson?”

“Everything is fine with the film, better than fine. This is personal,” he said, moving to the couch. “Sit down with me.”

“Okay, but now you’re scaring me.”

“Don’t be scared. Have you ever heard the phrase, timing in life is everything?”

“Of course, along with, being in the right place at the right time, time is our best friend and worst enemy, there’s a time and a place—”

“Anna, timing in life really can be everything, and there are moments when things slot into place so perfectly it’s confounding.”

“I know what you mean. It’s weird, as if they were meant to be.”

“Exactly. This weekend something really good happened with me, and from what you told me, it may have happened for you as well.”

“Do you mean Angelo? Yes, it was wonderful. It is wonderful.”

“The thing is,” he said slowly, choosing his words carefully, “you’re not the only one who’s met someone special. That’s not strictly true, I already knew her, but we ended up spending the weekend together.”

“Oh! Wow! That’s, uh, that’s just wow.”

“Yes, it’s wow.”

“I’m suddenly feeling weird, like, emotionally weird,” she muttered, a frown crossing her forehead. “Not sad, well... maybe sad. Shit. I don’t know what this is—except weird.”

“Anna, the point is, even though there’s nothing romantic between us, I can’t continue seeing you the way I have.”

“You wouldn’t feel right about it. I can see that,” she said with a sigh, dropping her eyes. “I totally get it. Yeah, I’m sad, but I understand. Sorry, I’m rattling on. It’s just—not what I expected—and it’s weird.”

“That’s a lot of weird,” he said with a smile, trying to add some lightness to the heavy moment, “but I understand. This is a bit weird for me too.”

“Sometimes weird is the only word that fits, and it seems to be that way for so many things.”

“If you need my advice, or need to talk, I’ll still be here for you. You can call me any time, and those aren’t just words, Anna. I care about you. I’m here for you. That hasn’t changed.”

“But it won’t be the same,” she whispered, her face crinkling as tears brimmed in her eyes.

“No, it won’t.”

“I’ll miss what we have like crazy, but...”

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