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Ryan invites us to stay in his Beverly Hills home, and we head across LA.
Storm and I have dinner with Ryan, in his mansion, but his new wife Caroline is still shooting in Europe.
The Hollywood star is graceful, and humble, and I was hoping Storm and Caroline would get to meet.
Ryan’s brother Troy, and his super-agent brother Chris arrive for dinner. Dante arrives soon after his fashion shoot, and wine, whiskey and stories flow.
It’s great to see them all, we discuss the state of the movie industry, along with the fashion industry. It’s good to keep in touch with my friend’s, but it gets harder and harder, the more our businesses expand, and our empires grow.
Anastasia, their costume designer cousin, arrives from a movie-catwalk project, and her and Storm catch up.
After dessert, Ana and Storm give us a hard time about talking too much business, and for basically being guys.
As Anastasia and Storm head onto the marble patio outside, we guys drink whiskey near the pool, and tennis courts. We discuss the few white-hot scripts circulating, and who is making what complex movies.
Anastasia and Storm talk fashion, and I overhear Anastasia discussing her upcoming project. A movie about a famous fashion designer.
Even if Storm is not into glamour, or fashion, and she is more down to earth, it’s nice she’s getting to know my friends. As they both head back inside, Ryan asks when we leave for NYC.
I’m about to say sunrise, when Anastasia jumps in fast. “You are coming to the red-carpet event tomorrow, right?”
I look at Storm, and she shrugs. Anastasia does not help, and the pressure goes on.
“Lorenzo, you need to come. And so does Storm. The premiere should be good, and the movie was way over budget. But what big ones aren’t, huh?”
Troy and I share a look, we both know. We both finance movies and we do not like anything going over budget. Finally, I cave, and I wink at Storm, who is beaming.
“Perfect!” Anastasia says leaping up. “Just get her to me by five.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, before my friends laugh.
As Chris updates us on the various talent agencies, that represent stars, directors and writers, I listen carefully. The information could be of use, and I swirl the whiskey in my cut glass tumbler.
Anastasia and Storm continue away to discuss outfits for tomorrow, and I flick a look their way.
“She really likes you.”
“What?” I ask looking back, confused.
Ryan said it, and I watch him, observe me. There is nothing to say, and I don’t appreciate being examined.
“Just be careful, with girls like that.” He says. “The pure bruise easily. You could mess her up, for good.”
I say nothing, but I feel my friend’s eyes on me, all of their eyes.
“This is different,” I growl, my jaw tense.
“Just be careful,” he says, calmly.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just this,” he says, trying to cool things down. I know Troy, Dante and Chris are watching us closely, and Ryan stands to face me more fully.
Here we go.
“Are you sure she is ready for your kind of love?”
“Like I said, she’s different.”
