Page 61 of The Kissing Part
I pull Shayla close and whisper in her ear, “Let’s go back to my place.”
“Okay.”
We say our goodbyes and get in the car with Olivia.
Shayla’s quiet on the drive home. I glance at the backseat, where Olivia stares out the window into the dark.
“Did you have a good time, Olivia?” I ask.
“What’s the deal with your cousin Finn?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like, why does he keep talking to me and flirting and bringing me espresso?”
Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror. “I guess because he’s into you.”
“No, that can’t be it. Is he trying to get into the industry? Does he have a thing for curvy women?”
“Uh, I don’t think he’s trying to use you to get into the industry. He could always ask Mom for help. Besides, he hasn’t even picked a major yet.” I’m not touching that curvy-woman remark.
“I just can’t imagine I’m his type,” Olivia says.
“Why wouldn’t you be?” Shayla asks, speaking for the first time since we left the party. “You’re pretty, smart, and competent.”
Olivia ignores the compliment. “And he’s too young for me. I told him that, and he said age doesn’t matter between consenting adults.”
I fight back a laugh. Finn sounds wise beyond his years.
“We need to hire a new painter,” Olivia says. “It’s very awkward now with Finn. Owen, could you let him know he’s not my type?”
“Sure, if it comes up,” I say.
Shayla turns around in her seat. “Can you just be polite to Finn and let him keep painting our place? He needs the money to buy a car.”
“Fine,” Olivia says. “I’ll find out his schedule and avoid him. I really don’t have time for dating with my five-year plan.” She takes her phone out and starts tapping away. Probably emailing Finn for his painting schedule.
I glance over at Shayla. “Did you have a good time before Frankie let us know the bad news?”
“I was having thebesttime, and I hate that something like this could take that away from me. Now I’m scared and pissed off at the same time. I don’t know how your mom can be so relaxed about it.”
“I’m sure she’s learned to live with the cost of fame. Do you ever think of stepping out of the spotlight? Maybe doing something else?” I hold my breath, hope making my limbs feel lighter.
“God, no. I love acting, and I’m lucky I get as much work as I do. There’s a time limit on that. One day you’re hot, and the next you’re nothing.”
“She’s right,” Olivia says.
“Mom’s had a long career,” I say.
“That’s the exception, especially for a woman,” Shayla says. “I’d love to follow in her footsteps, but that’s not in my control.”
“Have you thought about directing?” I ask. “Mom often hires women directors and likes to film locally in Connecticut and New York.” Obviously I’m hoping Shayla will stick around for a while. If I knew there was a way we could make it work for both of us, I could go all in.
“One day I could see myself directing,” she says. “For now I’m enjoying acting. Do you like what you do?”
“Yeah, I do. I love being my own boss, setting my own hours. It’s great to work with Nathan and Mackenzie. We complement each other. Well, I should say Mackenzie complements me and Nathan. It works.”
“Have you talked to them about going with me to Vancouver? Mackenzie told me your company is looking for new markets, and I’d like to see you there.” She puts a hand on my leg, and I tell myself not to get sucked in. I don’t want to follow her from project to project. I’m my own man with a life here.
