Chapter 29
twenty-nine
. . .
Sophia
The Four Seasons' presidential suite is chaos in the best way—makeup artists weaving between racks of designer gowns, champagne glasses perched precariously on every surface, and the kind of laughter I didn't realize I'd been missing until right now.
"Girl, you have got to tell me everything about this movie," Stella says, perched on the edge of a chaise while someone works on her hair. She's still in her robe, but I can see her emerald gown hanging nearby, ready to make every other dress in the room look casual in comparison.
Brandon lounges on the suite's plush sofa, allegedly here to kill time before meeting his date at eight, though he showed up suspiciously early with Stella's favorite cold brew and those little French macarons she loves.
For a stuntman who spends his days coordinating death-defying scenes, he cleans up surprisingly well, already dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that makes him look more James Bond than an action double.
"We are still on set for another week, and then we head up to Honey Pine for location scenes. It's amazing how realistic they've made everything!"
"I heard that," she says, nodding toward Brandon, who's got his face in his phone, pretending not to listen while clearly hanging on every word. These two have been practically inseparable lately.
"We also were able to schedule a local class of second-graders for some dramatic moments once we're on location. It's going to be incredible."
"Oh, I heard that, too!"
I tilt my head, looking unimpressed. Stella, at least, has the grace to look sheepish as she catches Brandon's eye in the mirror; their shared smile speaks volumes.
"Did you hear who agreed to play the title soundtrack?"
Stella bites her lip, admitting nothing, but the look on her face tells me Brandon has filled her in on everything.
"Then you have the scoop!" I take a sip of champagne, careful not to smudge my freshly applied lipstick.
"I don't want to jinx it, but I'll share that it's been spectacular working with Edie. She is fantastic!"
"I knew you two would be a great pair," Blair says as she crosses the room to check out the dress options. "Two fucking phenomenal women, ready to take over the box office. I can't wait to see opening weekend numbers."
"At least tell us what it's like working with Grant Hall." Stella wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
"He's professional," I say, maybe a bit too quickly. "And before you ask, yes, I'm still staying in his guest house. Probably until production is finished."
Brandon's head snaps up from his phone. "Isn't your house ready, though?"
Oh, now he hears what we're saying.
I fill them in on the latest remodeling details. Close to finished. Another few weeks, and then I can move back in.
Everyone's quiet.
"It made sense logistically," I explain, ignoring the knowing look Brandon exchanges with Stella. He's known me too long. He can probably see right through my casual tone. "It's so close to the studio lot."
"So, I guess staying there is working out, then?" Jess asks, her reporter's instinct clearly piqued.
"It's fine. I'm actually helping him, too. His daughter auditioned for a role in her school play and got it. I may have helped her rehearse."
"Oh, I adore Hazel," Blair chimes in from where she's being zipped into her gown. "Wyatt mentioned you helped with a monologue. So sweet."
I feel a rush of gratitude for my future sister-in-law's casual tone and how she makes it sound so normal.
"Speaking of sweet," Jess says with that glint in her eye that means she's got gossip, "guess who's going to be at Project Teddy Bear tonight? Geneva. Just flew in from Paris."
My stomach drops, but I keep my expression neutral. "Oh?"
"Mm-hmm. Word is she's in town for a few days to see Hazel. She's so gorgeous. Did you see that Vogue cover last month? I questioned my sexuality after that. Good God. But she and Grant have the most civilized co-parenting situation I've ever seen in this town."
They do. I've seen it firsthand, heard Grant's easy laughter during FaceTime calls with Geneva, and watched how seamlessly they coordinated Hazel's schedule for this visit. So, why didn't he mention she'd be at the gala?
"Remember that charity auction where you bid against her for that Chanel bag?" Stella laughs. "Before any of us knew who she was?"
"God, don't remind me," Jess groans. I'm grateful for the change of subject. "I still can't believe I tried to outbid the face of Chanel."
"Speaking of fashion disasters," Stella continues, "wait until you hear what happened at the Vanity Fair shoot last week."
The conversation flows on, and I let myself sink into it. This is what I've missed, the easy banter and inside jokes. How easy it is to just pick up right where we left off. But there's a hollow space in my chest where all the things I can't say live.
"Earth to Sophia." Blair waves a hand in front of my face. "Lost you there for a minute. Everything ok?"
"Just nervous about my speech," I lie. "You know how I get about live events."
"Please," Brandon scoffs as he stands to leave. "You could do this in your sleep. Text me all the gossip later? I should head out. Can't keep Victoria waiting."
He straightens his already impeccable suit. "Ladies, you're all going to be the talk of the gala. Sophia, that blue is absolutely your color. Stella…" He pauses, and their eyes meet again in the mirror. "That dress is going to stop traffic."
"Bye, Brandon," we chorus, and for a moment, everything feels simple again.
But as I slip into my gown, I can't stop thinking about Geneva being there tonight. About Grant not mentioning it. About secrets I'm keeping from the people in this room.
"Your hair is perfect," Stella declares, coming up behind me in the mirror. "Grant Hall won't know what hit him."
"I'm not…" I start to protest, but she just winks.
"Sure, I know."
I check my phone one last time before we head out. No messages from Grant. Whatever happens tonight, I'll have to handle it the way I handle everything else in this industry—with a smile and an Oscar-worthy performance from someone who isn't falling for someone she isn't supposed to.