Page 61 of Three Little Wishes

“I can’t believe I’m even considering taking it.”

Gail wasn’t only her PA. They’d been together for twenty years, and she considered her a friend. Her one true friend. And now she had to be that for her. “Take it. The kid needs you, the same as I did. She’s going to be big, Gail, and she seems sweet. You and I both know what this business can do to sweet young things. She needs you to protect her.”

“You know I wouldn’t even consider it if I thought you needed me. I—”

“You realize who you’re talking to, right? The woman who’s screwed up her life.”

“You haven’t, but you will if you don’t take the time to rebuild the relationships with your daughter and your family. I know how much you’ve missed them. And it’s not like I’m going anywhere. We’re friends. I’ll always be there for you.”

“I know you will, and I know you’re right. I need to take some time away from the business.”

“Have you given any more thought to selling the house?”

It wasn’t a house. It was a forty-thousand-square-foot mansion on three acres and, as hard as she’d tried to make it a home, it had never felt like one. The beach house felt more like a home than hers ever had. “I’m going to sell.”

“Are you moving back to Sunshine Bay?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll probably end up—”

There was a knock on her bedroom door.

“Crap, I have to go.” She ended the call and shoved the phone under her pillow as her door opened and Riley poked her head inside with a wide smile.

“I’ve got great news. You’re going to La Dolce Vita to see your family.”

Chapter Twenty

Camilla wanted to howl, she wanted to crawl under the covers and sleep for a week. She wanted a bloody cigarette and a bottle of wine. Her seventeen-year-old self might’ve wanted nothing more than to be reunited with the family she adored, but Camilla didn’t.

Three days before, she’d been reeling, her mind ripped apart by the memories of Will and of this past week with Willow, Riley, and Noah, and the only thing she had been able to think about was making things right between herself and her family. But now, faced with the reality of the situation, she was terrified. She had no idea how to repair the damage she’d done.

How had she gotten herself into this mess? And that was the problem. She hadn’t, not really. It was her seventeen-year-old self’s fault. She’d taken over Camilla’s body and her brain for a week and orchestrated the reunion with her family, who hated her.

Camilla gave Riley a wan smile. “I don’t think I can go. I feel queasy.” Would Cami say “queasy”? Probably not. “Woozy, I mean.”

Camilla rolled her eyes at herself. She was an actress, adamn good one, no matter what her ex and some of the critics said. She just had to get into character. “I’ll go see my mom and sisters tomorrow.”

“But it’s all you talked about this week,” Riley said. “I’m sure you’ll feel better once you see them.”

Camilla pressed a hand to her stomach. She felt as nervous as she had at her first major audition. But Riley was right. All she’d do was sit there worrying about it anyway. She had to rip the Band-Aid off. “Are you coming with me?”

“Um, I guess. If you want me to.” Riley tucked her hair behind her ear.

The food dye still hadn’t completely washed out. Camilla must’ve subconsciously been thinking of Hugh’s PA, Pinky, when she dyed Riley’s hair. Surprisingly, the pink streaks looked cute on Riley. She was a sweet kid who had no idea how pretty she was. One day, she’d be a knockout.

Camilla nodded. “I do.”

It was true. Riley was an old soul and had a calming presence. She was also the one person Camilla felt bad lying to. Well, she didn’t feel great lying to anyone, but Riley had been a good friend to Cami. And she’d put up with a crapload from her too. But even more than that, she’d confided in Cami. Riley was lonely, or she had been before coming to Sunshine Bay. Camilla had been too, even if she hadn’t realized it until she’d lost her memory.

“Okay. I’ll tell Noah and Sage you’ll be down in five minutes.” Riley smiled. “You can dress however you want. You don’t have to wear a disguise anymore.”

“Yay!” Camilla said instead of “Damn it.” Riley would expect her to dress like a teenager, which meant Camilla had to wear one of the outfits Willow had brought her.

As soon as the door closed, she rummaged through the suitcases on the floor, looking for something of her daughter’s to wear. At the bottom of a pile, she found a pair of baggy linen capris with a drawstring and a white, three-quarter-sleeve T-shirt and put them on.

She glanced at the flip-flops and sneakers she’d been wearing all week and looked longingly at her Jimmy Choos. Her daughter dressed as if she were seventeen.

“Cami!” Sage shouted from downstairs.

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