Page 145 of Relationship Goals

My jaw drops, my unbidden and unwanted tears finally drying up with the shock of it.

He sighs. “How do you think Michelle would have reacted in this situation?”

I consider it, the way Michelle snaps into business-bitch mode when she needs to, wearing her makeup and suits like armor and wielding her perfect manners and intellect like a weapon.

“She would be…angry. Cold. She would aim to hurt and to win.”

“I like the emotion you were channeling there,” Richard blinks at me, his lashes nearly invisible in the bright daylight. “But I can’t help but think something else is going on with you that isn’t related to your work here.” He pauses, studying me with a tilted head. Every inch an artist. “Well, not directly related, at least.”

“What do you mean?” I ask cautiously. I’m worried, though, that I know exactly what he means.

Who he means.

“The funny thing about me, my dear, is that I follow tabloids quite relentlessly.”

My eyebrows rocket up as I cringe.

“You see,” he continues, “I’m a bit of a romantic, too. So…when I saw all the press you and your Wolf were generating, I have to say, I was both amused and enchanted.”

“He’s not my Wolf,” I mutter, pacing a little. “He never belonged to me.”

“Of course not,” Richard says, eyes keen and knowing. “But you did seem to tame him, all the same.”

I stare at him, my mouth working but no words coming out.

“Forgive me if I am overstepping.” His face is so genial, and itmakes me want to trust him. “But I know how…deeplyartists feel. I can’t help but thinking, perhaps your emotions today are not on behalf of your character but are your own.”

My throat constricts as I swallow. I nod once, unable to find the right words.

“Well. I can’t say I am upset to hear this. In fact, since it is Friday afternoon, I hoped you would say that.”

“What does it being Friday have anything to do with it?” I ask him.

“Because I scheduled your flight back to LA to leave tonight. You’re taking the studio’s private plane, and if you can hurry, you should make it in time to see the Wolf play with the Aces.”

Shock and gratitude war inside me, and all I manage to do is gape up at my boss, who is possibly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.

“Why?” I ask, completely stumped.

He spreads his hands wide, sighing slightly. “Because I am, partially at least, a pragmatist. I believe you have some unfinished business with this Wolf of yours. Unfinished business that’s keeping you from being fully present in your craft.”

Embarrassment washes through me. I open my mouth to apologize, but Richard holds up a hand to stop me.

“Mostly, however, I am a hopeless romantic. To the point of no return, I’m afraid. So, while the rational part of me wants you to come back here refreshed and ready to focus, the romantic part of me wants you to fix this thing between you and Luke Wolfe.”

He nods once and starts to walk away, then turns back to where I’m staring after him.

“If I were you, I’d hurry to the airport. My assistant will send the details of the flight to your email. Oh, and I’d call Michelle, too. I have a feeling she’d be happy to plan anything you’d like regarding your return.” He winks, and on him it’s somehow sweet and charming.

“How? Why?” The questions explode out of me. I clap a handover my mouth. Oh no, here we go again. “I’m not trying to look a gift director in the mouth or anything. I just, you know, I uh—” Floundering, I cross my arms over my chest, like that’s going to keep me from sticking my foot in my mouth.

Maybe I should sit cross-legged to keep that from happening.

Richard Grace simply beams at me, though. “Why are we here?”

My mouth twists to the side, becausewhat? “In Georgia? To make a movie? Because they have the best tax breaks for film productions?” I venture.

“Why are we here,” he continues gently, “on this Earth, if not to love one another? I have made art my life, and it took me too long to realize that love is the backbone of all art. Love gives us purpose.” He watches me closely. “It gives our art purpose, yes?”

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