Page 76 of A Love Song for Dreamers

“Annie. Oh myGod.”

I shift out of my seat as her gaze runs over me. “You’rebeautiful.”

Her eyes mist, and I let her hugme.

“Hi… Fiona.” I can’t say “Mom.” The word sticks in my throat. “Thank you for meetingme.”

She’s beautiful too, early forties and still completely fresh-faced and slender, her black jumpsuit revealing long, tannedlegs.

“I was surprised to hear from you after all thistime.”

“I’m sorry it took so long. I wasn’tready.”

Her brows pull together. “Ofcourse.”

The waitress comes by to offer wine, and Fiona jumps atit.

“Tell me everything,” she says once the waitress departs to get ourdrinks.

“I’m not sure where to start,” I confess with asmile.

“Wherever youwant.”

So I tell her about how I grew up in Dallas, then attended Vanier for two years before getting a gig working with Miranda Talbot writing a new show for thestage.

“You’re writing for Broadway,” she gushes as two glasses are set in front of us. “I always wanted to be on Broadway. Do you think you’d have a role forme?”

I shift in my seat. “We haven’t even gotten funding, not to mention cast it. But maybe? It will be a lot of work untilpreviews.”

“Oh, I see.” Her face falls. “You must know everyone in thebusiness.”

I start to say “no,” but I stop at the last minute. “I have worked with a lot of people. I’ve kept pretty busy since school. And every person I meet teaches mesomething.”

“I’m sure. There are so many rich, handsome men in New York,” sheinsists.

“Right.” It takes effort to hold my smile in place. “But tell me about you. How long have you been inLA?”

“Ages. I’ve done commercials. And guest appearances on a couple of network shows,” she says with pride. “But I’ve always known there’s something bigger out there for me. Do you feel thatway?”

My chest expands at her description. I know that feeling. I’ve livedit.

Maybe it didn’t come from theworld.

Maybe it came from the woman in front ofme.

“Yes. Ido.”

Her eyes glint as she reaches over the table and covers my hand with hers. “How’s Jax? I heard he launched a labelrecently.”

“He’s excited. He’s actually in LA, too, for an event latertonight.”

The second the words are out, Fiona sucks in a breath. “And you’re going? I’d love to see him again. And meet some of yourfriends.”

The way she says it has me hesitating. “From the letter you wrote to me, I figured you and my dad hadn’t parted ways on the best ofterms.”

“Well, I’m sure we’ve all moved past it now. He’s quite a charmer. We’d have plenty to laugh about now. Is his wife at this partytoo?”

I slide my hand out from under hers to reach for my wine even though my stomach is suddenlyunsettled.

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