Page 25 of Clear Blue Sky

“I think we should get ahead of it all.”

“Ahead, how?” Brandi shut her laptop, set it aside, and stood. She made her way across the room and pulled open the sliders. Stepping out onto the deck, she sucked in a deep breath. The temperature had dropped to fifty degrees. Bending over, she clicked on the gas firepit and curled up on the chaise lounge and sighed.

“I want to have a premiere party.”

“Excuse me?” Brandi sat straight up. She coughed. “Isn’t that scheduled already?”

“The studio set one up, but I’ve been given permission to have a private viewing for family and close friends. In Lake George so my son and his wife can attend.”

That did make sense considering Lake and Tiki weren’t sure they would both be able to make it.

“You want to do this next weekend?”

“Yes. The studio will reach out to the village theater. I’ll need a little help with the guest list because I’ll want to invite all of Tiki’s family. I was also thinking of seeing if we could rent out Blue Moon. Do you think that’s possible? You’ve met the owners, right?”

Brandi set the cell on the railing and tapped speaker. She rubbed her temples. “I don’t know if they’d close it down for a private party. That might be asking a lot.”

“We’d make it worth their while,” her mother said with that pleading voice that got under Brandi’s skin. “Could you or your brother ask them for us before you head back to the city? It should be on Saturday, but we could do Friday or Sunday. Whatever works best for them. However, I need to know today.”

Brandi let out a long sigh. “I’ll see what I can do.” She knew there was no arguing with her mother.

“If you can book it, your dad said you can work from up there until this is over. That way none of the details will fall on Lake.”

“Mom. Your publicity isn’t my job.”

“It is when Dad agreed to publish my autobiography.”

“He did what?” She glared at the cell. “I mean, I know I told you that I’d be on board, but we haven’t even discussed it yet.”

“Relax, honey. It’s years away from happening. Just be glad that I’m helping pave the way for you to spend more time working from home than having to be at the office every day. Publishing is changing and there’s no reason why you can’t have different office hours if you want.”

“I appreciate you championing me, Mom. But next time, please let me fight my own battles with Dad.”

Her mom let out a sweet little chuckle. “You know it didn’t work that way with Lake and it’s not going to work that way with you. Now, I best be going. Let me know what you find out about Blue Moon. Love you.”

The line went dead.

She lifted her phone and pulled up Nelson’s contact information.

Brandi:Are you busy? If I stopped by, would you have a half hour or so to talk some business with me?

Nelson:Business? I’m intrigued.

Brandi:You might not be when I tell you what my family wants. Be there in forty-five?

Nelson:Looking forward to your proposition.

Brandi:Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s not like that. Unless you suddenly got a lock on that office door.

Nelson:I’ll see what I can do between now and the time you get here.

She snagged her phone and stuffed it in her back pocket. This could potentially change things between them, at least in the short term.

6

Nelson sat on his lower patio near the dock, under the gazebo, sipping his coffee, trying not to jump in his boat and make a massive wave as he drove way too close to Marcus and his crew.

Motherfuckers.

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