Page 6 of Dangerous Curves

A low whistle escapes me. I’m shocked actually. I shouldn’t be. I mean, this is Hollywood after all. Most of the stars are medicated by alcohol, drugs or sex. Sadly, that cliche is true. “Well, I’m sure we can find a replacement.”

“I already did. I got in touch with Star Elite and spoke with Gary. He already had the perfect replacement, so I sent over the contract this morning. Gary and the guy’s manager were meeting with him first thing today to go over the details.” Grant takes a deep breath once he finishes explaining.

“Well, it seems you already have the issue under control.” Grant is without a doubt the best assistant I’ve ever had. He goes above and beyond what his job description is and never complains about it. He takes on problems he doesn’t have to without being asked.

Grant’s silence is loud and clear. It’s almost as if I can hear him blushing from here. “Thank you, ma’am. I tried to handle it the best I could. I’m just waiting on the contract to be returned.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Grant. One of those yummy red ones.” The bistro that Kynlee and I always meet at is just a block away now. “I’ve got a few plans, but if you need anything just let me know and Thank you so much for all of your hard work. It’s truly appreciated.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” he replies, before disconnecting the phone call.

I park down the block in the parking garage and make my way down to the bistro. The sun is shining and most of the people I pass on the street seem to be in a good mood. It’s one of those days that I would normally love Los Angeles. However, last night and everything with Ronin keeps running through my head. I don’t like confrontation. It causes my anxiety to rise. I have a hard enough time keeping myself in a positive mindset, the last thing I needed was some bullshit disagreement with Ronin. Especially, when he knows how much my career means to me.

“Auntie Kennie!” Willow’s voice bellows from down the sidewalk.

I look up to see my beautiful niece dashing towards me. Her long, brown hair flows in the wind and bright blue eyes are so happy. I crouch down so she can run straight into my arms. She smells like heaven as her scent engulfs me, lavender and baby lotion. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” I tell her, as I press a kiss to the side of her temple.

“I missed you!” I scoop Willow up into my arms and carry her down to the bistro, where a very pregnant Kynlee is standing. She looks happy but tired. Willow tells me all about dance and art class. I pull Kynlee in for a one-armed hug when I reach her.

“Hey stranger,” I tease her, before rubbing her growing baby bump.

She laughs. “If anyone else tried to rub my fat belly I’d cut their hands off.”

My eyes go wide. Clearly, she’s at the stage of pregnancy where she’s miserable and ready for her growing little human to be out of her body. “Wow, that was...aggressive.” I go up to the hostess and give her my name. After checking the reservation list, she walks us to a table near the window and deposits some color pages along with crayons in front of Willow’s booster seat. Another reason Kynlee and I love this local bistro, is that they help cater to the children when they come in. Willow is soon lost in a world of her own as her little hands color on a page with big flowers on it. Her little tongue peeks out from between her teeth in concentration. I turn to Kynlee. “So, how are you doing?”

She sighs. “I’m tired and huge. Nothing fits. Everything gets on my nerves. I’m hungry all the time and if I’m not hungry I have to freaking pee every two seconds,” I laugh. “I’m serious!”

“I know you are, but in a couple of months it’ll all be over with and I’ll have a new little niece to spoil!” I clap my hands excitedly.”

Kynlee sits back in her chair. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just I haven’t had to get ready in the two weeks you’ve been gone. I’ve literally lived in leggings and Ace’s old, stretched out band t-shirts with my hair dry shampooed to death and in a messy bun. Nothing worked for me today.”

I give her a sympathetic smile. “I disagree. I think you look beautiful, even if you don’t feel it.” Her long chocolate brown hair is laying in waves. The yellow baby doll tank top and shorts she has on looks cute, yet comfortable and her gray eyes are smoked just the way she likes them. She looks gorgeous even if she feels less than stellar.

“Thanks,” she tells me. The waitress appears and takes our drink orders. Kynlee turns back to me. “Never go away for two weeks again, especially if I’m pregnant.”

“No worries there,” I bite out, before I think it through.

Kynlee’s eyes widen and she zones in on me. “What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?” Maybe if I deflect, she’ll forget about it.

She laughs. “Don’t try and answer my question with a question. You know that crap never works. I knew something seemed off when you reached me, but I thought maybe you were stressed from the movie going into production tomorrow, but that’s not it.”

“That’s exactly it.” Our drinks arrive and I take a huge chug of my blackberry tea.

Kynlee rolls her eyes. “It’s Ronin, isn’t it?”

I inhale while trying to swallow and end up choking. Willow reaches up and pats my back. Once my throat is clear, I meet Kynlee’s eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“Kenndrix…” Kynlee says with a sigh. “You might as well tell me now. Otherwise, you’re going to listen to me nag at you until you end up telling me anyways. Might as well save some time.” I roll my eyes at her. Kynlee laughs. “Stop being difficult.”

“I am not difficult.”

I watch as her eyebrows disappear into her hairline. “Right? And I’m just a little ray of sunshine all the time.”

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’m doing anything to buy me some time but she’s right. Before we leave the bistro, I’ll have told her everything that happened. I’m being difficult by trying to postpone the inevitable. Before I can try and figure out a way to change the subject, I tell Kynlee everything. It helps the weight I’ve been feeling on my chest since last night. I only pause when the waitress delivers our food. By the time I’m done I know Kynlee is pissed. Her gray eyes are stormy like a raging sea. “So basically, that’s it. No big deal, just a little bump in the road.” I try to play down the situation.

“No big deal? Kenndrix, please tell me you don’t actually believe that line of shit you’re trying to sell me right now? I’ve said it since the two of you started dating, you deserve better. I don’t know why you’re hell bent on staying with him. You barely have a relationship. He never puts you first. He can go weeks without even speaking to you. That’s not how things are supposed to be.” Kynlee makes sense, but I’d never tell her that.

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