Victorious(56)

“Natalie’s story.”

“What about it?”

“It’s a powerful story that hits all the right notes.”

“You’re not seriously considering…”

“Not seriously. Yet. So far, it’s just an idea.”

“What does she have to say about it?”

“She’s next on my list. If you think the idea is ridiculous, then there’s no point in bringing it up with her.”

“It’s not ridiculous.”

“Really?”

“It’s an amazing story, Flynn. Why do you think you’ve got photographers camped outside every building you’re known to frequent? They want a glimpse of it. People are captivated.”

Captivated. That’s the word I used to describe my feelings the day I met her, and nothing has changed since then. “That would make for a good title.”

“Great, so you’ve got a title for a film we’re not even making yet, but for the one that’s almost done, you’ve got nothing?”

Laughing at his wry comment, I experience profound relief at being back on familiar ground with my closest friend and business partner after a rough few weeks. “I’m working on it. I swear.”

“Yeah, yeah. Where have I heard that before?”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll be there. Cresley is in town. She’s coming by.”

“Oh great. I want Natalie to meet her. See you there.”

“Later.”

While I wait for Natalie to wake up, I prepare a light dinner of salad and pasta, feed Fluff and go out with her into the backyard so she can pee. I stare into the pool, which glows from within by lights on a timer, thinking about how Natalie’s story might be told in a film.

Would I be violating her further by even suggesting it? That’s my greatest fear. Along with my greatest fear goes my greatest motivation—to tell the rest of the world about the strong, resilient woman I had the good sense and even greater fortune to marry.

“There you are,” she says when she comes out to join us.

Fluff bounds over to greet Natalie, her glee nothing short of puppylike.

Natalie scoops her up to give her a hug and receives joyful dog kisses to her face that make her laugh. “How long was I asleep? She’s acting like I was gone a week.”

“Every minute without you feels like a week to us, right, Fluff?”

Fluff barks in reply, and we both laugh.

“Are you and Daddy bonding?”

“We were just discussing an invitation to a father-daughter dance when you joined us.”

Natalie puts Fluff down and wraps her arms around me from behind. “Is that right?”

“Yep. Fluff says she has nothing to wear, and I told her I’d take her shopping if she promises to never again bite my ass when I’m going down on Mommy.”

“And what did she say to that?”

“What does ‘going down’ mean, Daddy?”

She pokes my ribs and rocks with laughter behind me.

“Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

“I’ve got just the thing for you.” I turn to her, put my arm around her and lead her inside to eat.

“You made this all by yourself?”

“Sure did. I had to boil water and everything.”

“I thought you didn’t know how.”

“I watched a video on YouTube.”

She laughs while I pour us both a glass of chilled chardonnay, and we dig into the meal, which is surprisingly good, considering I made it.

“How’re you feeling?”

“Great. The nap was just what I needed. I’m starting to feel like my old self again.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I like your old self a lot.”

“Sorry to be such a drag this week.”

“Don’t be sorry. You were sick.”

I twirl pasta around my fork, but I lose my appetite thinking about the film idea I want to run past her.

“What’s on your mind over there?” She’s looking at me over the top of her wineglass.

“An idea that’s been running around in my head.”

“What sort of idea?”

“The kind you’re either going to love or hate. I can’t decide which.”

“What sort of sexual torture have you dreamed up for me now?”

“Not about sex, although when you ask me things like that, it gives me other ideas.”

Her cheeks flush with color. “Forget I asked, then.”

“I won’t forget, but the idea is about your story.”

“My story? What about it?”

Here goes nothing… “It would make for a rather compelling film.”

For a moment, she’s expressionless, and then her mouth opens and closes again.

“You want to make a movie about what happened to me?”

“I would like to consider the possibility.” I’m unable to determine her true feelings, because her expression is totally blank.

“You’ve gone from not wanting to talk about it in the interview with Carolyn to wanting to make a movie about it?”

“I’m only talking to you about making a movie. I’m saying I think it’s an amazing story of resilience, perseverance, courage and determination with a happy ending for the ages. It’s tailor-made for Hollywood.”