Page 29 of Trust

“True. Except, I have specific reasons for doing this.”

“And those would be?”

“Well, you’re here, and I know that it puts me farther from Jensen, Nicola, and Maria, but they have Mother there. I wanted to be backup for you and Aleka.”

“Oh, Jake,” she said, sniffing. “That’s sweet.”

“I think I’ll like playing one character for a while. Plus, it’s in my contract that I get to direct an episode the first year, then two in the next…if we get renewed.”

“Brilliant. I knew you wanted to direct.”

“I didn’t tell you that.”

“Yeah, but remember when you didRunaway Car? You talked about Marty Reynolds and how much you respected his direction. You went into detail about how he worked. There had been something in your voice that told me you really wanted to direct.”

Jules was the youngest sibling but was always the smartest and most observant.

“Are those the only reasons?”

“Well, no.”

“I knew it! So, youaregetting over your stupid rules.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Come on, Jake, it’s me. You’ve been half in love with Lani for years. It’s the way you said her name. Wait, isn’t she dating Rick Bellows?”

“No. They apparently broke up months ago.”

“So, she’s free to date. Good. You would make an adorable couple.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I’ve been kind of an ass to her for years.”

He could practically hear Jules roll her eyes at him over the phone. “Men. You were trying to keep her away because of that stupid rule about her being your best friend’s little sister.”

“It’s out of respect.”

“She is a grown woman. She doesn’t need stupid boys making decisions for her.”

There was a growl in the background.

“I’m fine. I’m just telling my brother he’s an ass.”

Another growling response and Jules laughed. The sound made Jakob happy.

“What’s your plan?”

“Plan?”

“Yes, to woo her.”

“I’m acting as her plus one at the wedding.”

“That’s it?” From her voice, Jakob could tell Jules didn’t think much of his plan.

“She’s so damned busy with the wedding. Royal treats her like a bloody servant.”

“That woman. When you told me Ben was marrying her, I researched. Then Nicola got in it with me.”

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