she gave me an exasperated sigh and said, “We have to figure out a way for you to get back to living a real life.”
“I have a real life,” I grumbled.
“Working and sleeping is bare minimum living, Molly. You need to get out and see people, breathe in a little fresh air, and have some fun. You used to be so full of zest for life, but now all you want to do is sleep.”
I knew she had my best interests at heart, but I honestly didn’t know how to get back to the things I used to enjoy. They weren’t any fun for me now. The one time I’d tried to attend a yoga class after Grant and Scout’s departure, it had churned up so many emotions that I’d run out of the studio in tears, without even bothering to grab my yoga mat.
My brother and Dani kept stopping by my apartment to check in on me. They invited me to join them on all kinds of outings, but being around two madly in love people was not something I could handle right now.
My mom kept delivering baked goods that I didn’t have the appetite to eat. My dad had even called a couple of times, which was surprising, since he acted like he was practically allergic to the telephone.
Although I knew my family and friends were worried and only wanted what was best for me, I couldn’t seem to shake this funk. The two best parts of my life had left Brunswick Bay Harbor and flown back to California without me. I was destined to live a lonely life without them.
When Avery sat me down on the couch one rainy Monday and said, “We need to talk,” I sensed that whatever was coming wasn’t going to be good.
Rather than making me ask, she jumped right in. “I was finally able to speak to Alex.”
I already knew that she’d been frustrated that her brother had been hiding in his writing cave for weeks. When his creative juices were flowing, he didn’t appreciate being interrupted with real life issues, so he cut off contact with everyone but his wife and children.
“He has finished the rewrites to adapt the leading man to being in a wheelchair for the Missing Claire screenplay, and he thinks it’s an even stronger story now.”
My face scrunched up as I absorbed her words. Everyone in town knew that the movie production company had backed out and the project was halted indefinitely. “Why would he do that when the project isn’t moving forward?”
“Because he’s determined to make sure the movie gets made. He believes it is a story that needs to be told and that it will have the biggest impact as a live-action film,” Avery answered.
“That’s great,” I answered, unable to insert much enthusiasm into my voice. Hearing how unimpressed I sounded, I added, “If anyone is strong and determined enough to make it happen, it’s Alex.”
“You’ve got that right,” Avery responded with unrestrained pride over her brother’s talents.
Taking my hand within hers, Avery said, “In fact, it is happening. He has reached out to Grant Chandler directly. Grant is starting his own production company in order to make this movie.”
Hearing Grant’s name said aloud made the air whoosh out of my lungs. Usually, people were extra careful not to mention him around me because they knew how much it upset me.
“Good,” I croaked around the elephant suddenly pushing its weight into my chest.
“You haven’t even heard the best part…” Avery’s eyes sparkled with the anticipation of sharing the news with me. “Grant Chandler is coming here to begin filming in a few days.”
“Grant’s coming here?” I asked as my heart began racing at the mere idea of it.
“Yes!” Avery squealed as if this was the answer to all of our prayers.
I knew that Grant would likely bring Eva and Jemma along to insulate him from having to deal with me, but the idea of seeing him and Scout again––even from a distance––filled me with hope.
22
Grant
I’d been working my ass off ever since my return to California. I’d removed both Eva and Jemma from my life and hired my own live-in help. After that, I began focusing on getting my body into the best shape possible, considering my new limitations, and being a great dad for sweet little Scout.
As I’d expected, Hollywood had shunned me––especially once Eva publicly announced the break-up.
I was lucky to have plenty of money saved to tide me over. I could probably