Valorous(34)

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think I could make a contribution.”

“I’d love for you to be part of it in any role you wish to take.”

I’m filled with the giddy sort of joy that reminds me of how I felt the night before my first day at school. “Thank you.”

“I guess I’d better go call Liza and make her day—and Carolyn’s. You’re really sure about this?”

“I’m sure. While you’re at it, call Addie, too. Tell her we’re going to the SAG Awards because my boyfriend is expected to win, and I need her and her stylist pal Tenley to fix me up.”

“You got it, sweetheart.” He kisses me and squeezes my hand before he leaves the room to go make his calls.





I have to do something. I can’t bear sitting around waiting for things to happen. I’m a proactive kind of guy, and this situation is forcing me to be reactive. I’m on the verge of losing my mind.

Liza and Natalie have talked me into the interview with Carolyn against my better judgment. Though I’ve had nothing but positive dealings with Carolyn in the past, I fear the interview will make everything worse rather than better. I know it’s irrational because Carolyn is a consummate professional, but I can’t help the way I feel.

I go into the office and shut the door. Dropping into the chair, I put my feet up on the desk and try to get myself together. Losing my shit isn’t going to make anything better for Natalie.

I need a shrink, but since I don’t know one I can call out of the blue, I settle for the next best thing. I call my dad. I’m not worried about interrupting his day, because he always takes calls from his family, no matter what he’s doing.

He answers on the second ring. “Hey there.”

“Hi, Dad. Am I getting you at a bad time?”

“Not at all. What’s wrong?”

“What makes you think there’s something wrong?”

“You’ve been my son for thirty-three years. I knew with ‘Hi, Dad’ that something was wrong.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, he makes me smile. I lean my elbows on the desk and run the fingers of my free hand through my hair, over and over.

“Flynn. Talk to me.”

“I love her so much.”

“I know you do, son. Your mother and I knew the first time we saw you with her that she is the one for you.”

“I can’t bear to see her going through all this because she made the mistake of getting involved with me.”

“What does she have to say about that?”

“The more agitated I get, the calmer she seems to be, which is maddening.”

Dad grunts out a laugh. “Why am I not surprised? Don’t forget, she’s been through this once before, unfortunately, and probably has a better grip on how to handle it than you do.”

“Once was more than enough.”

“Indeed, but it’s happening, and she’s handling it. That’s what matters.”

“She and Liza have convinced me that if we do one interview, with Carolyn Justice, it’ll help the situation.”

“You don’t think it will?”

“I’m afraid that somehow it’ll make everything worse.”

“I know you like to be the one calling the shots, Flynn. But in this case, I’m afraid you’re going to have to follow Natalie’s lead. She knows what she can handle and what she can’t. If she’s intent on doing the interview, let her. It might help her to put the story in her own words rather than letting everyone else tell it for her.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way before. “What if it makes things worse?”

“How could it make things worse? What are you truly afraid of?”

“Her being hurt again in some way that I can’t predict ahead of time.”

“You know what the most difficult part of fatherhood has been?”

Taken aback by the change in direction, I say, “No, what?”

“Not being able to protect my kids from any kind of pain or suffering. We all wish we had a crystal ball so we could see the future and steer the people we love clear of any trouble. But short of that, all we can do is the best we can and then be there for them when things don’t go according to plan.”

“I’m not used to waiting for things to happen. I’m far more accustomed to making things happen.”