curls needed to be tidy and secured at all times. Ponytail or braids.
“How old is she?” I ask.
“Twenty months,” Mr. Rourke says. “My wife and I enjoy watching you on Living Gold. Actually, she was a big fan before that with Capital Asset.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Garrett has trained me well on receiving compliments properly. Ha.
We all glance down at Olivia. She’s got the wrapping paper off and is struggling to pull the cardboard away from her gift—a sports ball set with a foam soccer ball, basketball, and football.
“Open, please,” she says, looking up at us adults.
Mr. Rourke picks up the box. “The packaging is tough to open. Let me get scissors and work on it.”
Just then the front door opens to a handsome man in a black leather jacket and jeans. “Where’s my girl?”
“Daddy!” Olivia shrieks and runs full speed to him. That must be Dylan.
My eyes sting at the reunion. He scoops her up and hugs her. She rests her head on his shoulder, holding him tight, her little face ecstatic. He tosses her in the air, catches her, and kisses her cheek. “I missed you the past couple of nights, pumpkin. Did you have fun with Grandmom and Grandpop?”
“Uh-huh,” she says. “And Nonna and Nonno too.”
“Wow, the whole gang got together just for you.” He hoists her onto his hip. “You must be one special kid.” He lifts a hand in greeting to Garrett and walks over to give him a slap on the back.
“Yes,” she says. “I’m a big sister. I help Maya and Eva.” She crinkles her nose and sing-songs, “They’re just babies.” She speaks really well for a toddler. For some reason I thought kids didn’t speak full sentences until at least two. Not that I have experience with little kids.
“They’re so lucky to have you.” Her dad sets her down, and she runs into the kitchen, where Mr. Rourke is struggling with the plastic ties holding the sports ball set together.
He thrusts his hand out to me. “Hey, I’m Dylan.”
“Harper,” I say, shaking his hand. “I recognize you from your Villroy wedding pictures. That was a major event.”
He grins, his blue eyes sparkling. “Sure was. I’m the crown prince, until I wasn’t. Anyway, we had a good reunion out there. And Josie tells me she loves working with you on Living Gold. Fun show.”
“Thank you.” I cross my fingers and hold them up. “Let’s just hope enough people feel the same way.” The ratings haven’t been great, but, according to my agent, many viewers of our channel prefer to binge-watch when the whole season is out. “I’ll know the first week of November if the show gets a second season.”
Garrett’s brows draw together. “Knock wood it does, but do you know what you’ll do if it doesn’t? Would you stay in the area?”
Dylan excuses himself and joins his daughter in the kitchen, giving his dad a shoulder squeeze before moving to the sink to prepare a sippy cup of water for his daughter. What a great dad. How different would my life have been if I had two loving parents like Olivia? Garrett had that too. Maybe I wouldn’t have felt the need to escape into a character, or to travel so far away at a young age. I shake it off. I’m happy with my work. And my childhood gave me the drive to get where I am today. It’s for the best.
Garrett takes my hand and leads me to a plush dark blue sofa. “Harp?”
I cross my legs and turn to him. “Yes?”
“You never answered my question. Would you stay in the area if Living Gold isn’t picked up?”
“If there was work for me, yes. I hope something will work out with directing, but I don’t know. I have to go where the work is. Well, you know from Josie.”
“True. I house-sit for her enough.” He squeezes my hand. “I hope we’ll keep in touch if we have to be separated.”
My chest tightens. He’s just so expressive. I don’t even know what to say. “Thank you.”
Mrs. Rourke opens a door in the kitchen. “Get up here, everyone!” She looks over at me. “Has anyone offered you a drink?”
Garrett leaps up. “Got it.”
I follow him into the kitchen. People pour out of the basement, crowding the kitchen as they gather around the island. What were they doing down there? I didn’t hear anything. Of course, the children’s music is loud, and I was distracted by the people I did meet.
Garrett works