off, he called Jay Romney. “I hope you have something encouraging to tell me,” Dylan said. “If you don’t, I’m going to have to—”
“I have excellent news, and thanks for your patience. I have an interested director and a script I optioned last year that I think you’ll love,” he said. “The director is Sean Adams—big name with a lot of juice. He’d like a meeting. Can you meet us at my office on Monday at noon? I’ll have lunch catered in.”
“I’ll be there,” Dylan said. “And, Jay, until we have something nailed down, not a word to anyone.”
“Absolutely. Tell me your nearest airport, son,” Jay said. “I’ll have a chartered jet bring you in.”
Dylan burst out laughing. “Is that right?” Dylan could’ve brokered that deal if he’d been at home. “I’ll get there. I’ll give you my ticket stub and you can reimburse me.”
How funny was that—apparently there were some business entities that still made use of charters.
Dylan would fly down. He’d try to make a deal. Because his best friend might be right, it might be time for a change. But just in case Lang didn’t get a flying job right away, Dylan was going to find a way to keep Lang and other employees who were left behind in paychecks. He could sacrifice a few months on a set to get that done.
He’d have to give himself at least one extra day in L.A. before meeting with Romney and Adams—a day to buy some “meeting clothes” since all he had with him were jeans and boots—pretty roughed-up clothes at that.
He dialed again. “Gran, hi,” he said. “I’m headed to L.A. to meet with Jay Romney. Are you going to be in L.A.? I’d like to see you.”
“I’m here for another month, at least,” she said. “Will you stay here?”
He hesitated. He had a feeling he was going to crave a little time alone. “I…ah…I think I’m going to take a rain check on that, Gran. I’ll get a hotel room. But I definitely want to get together. I’ll call you when I have some kind of schedule. It’ll be easier to plan once I know what Jay has to say and whether he needs more of my time. I’ll be sure to fill you in.”
“Dylan,” she began. “Are you coming alone?”
The question almost paralyzed him. The impact of what he was doing hadn’t quite hit him until his grandmother asked. “Yes,” he said. “Of course.”
“I see,” she said. “Well, call when you get here. I think we’ll have plenty to talk about.”
For now he had plenty to think about. He really was leaving this time, and once he left he couldn’t imagine being able to come back. He had a home in another place and no work in this little mountain town. All he had here was the most awesome woman he’d ever met, and no way to stay with her. He wasn’t sure how to tell her that and even considered just running for his life, something he hadn’t hesitated to do when involved with other women.
He wouldn’t do that to Katie. He’d face her and tell her the truth.
Early Friday morning he packed up his duffel and settled up with Luke Riordan. Katie usually dropped her boys off at nine so he went to the bar for breakfast. Once she was alone, they’d have their talk. He wasn’t sure whether that would happen on her front porch, on their favorite hilltop or wrapped in each other’s arms in bed. But it was happening this morning.
“Kind of moody,” Jack observed, refilling his coffee cup.
“You?”
“No.” Jack laughed. “You.”
Dylan thought about it only briefly before he said, “I’m heading out of town this morning.”
“I know,” Jack said. “Talked to Luke about ten minutes ago.”
Dylan put down his cup. “Could news travel any faster around here?”
“Maybe,” Jack said. “If you had two bartenders.” Then he grinned.
“Well, tuck it under, will you? I just found out I have potential work south of here and haven’t told Katie yet. I mean, we’re not serious or anything, but—”
The phone rang and on his way to answer it, Jack said, “But you’d like to be a gentleman about this?”
“Exactly,” he confirmed.
“I bet we’ll see you again,” Jack said.
“Don’t bet a lot,” Dylan muttered.
Jack lifted the cordless that sat beside the cash register. “Jack’s,” he said. “Yeah? Is that a fact? Oh, yeah, trust me, she’s close. Well, stay inside, I’ll come right out.” He hung up and looked at Dylan. “Katie says she’s