Chapter 47
47
Keith was more ornery than a bull with a red flag dangling in front of him. He stomped around the studio, slammed doors, and snapped at anyone who dared to ask him a question.
“What’s wrong with you?” Chip asked.
Keith scrubbed his hands up and down his face. “I’ve spoken with Michelle every night, but it’s not the same. They’re short conversations. A three-hour time difference really screws with a long-distance relationship.”
“So, it’s a relationship now?”
“We’re trying for one. You gotta problem with that?”
“I’m trying to do my job. Do I need to start getting plus one tickets for events?”
“She doesn’t want anything to do with my job.”
“That’s going to be difficult, don’t you think? You have a lot of promotional functions surrounding your upcoming movie, and not to mention this one, Keith. Are you going alone to all of them? People will start to talk if you don’t have someone on your arm.”
“I went through a nasty divorce, Chip. I wasn’t looking for Michelle when I found her, and I’m sure as hell not looking for anyone else. If I hadn’t met Michelle, I’d be going alone, so what’s the big deal?”
“The studio would’ve had an escort arranged for you. You wouldn’t go alone.”
Keith looked Chip in the eyes. “I won’t push her on this. She’ll accompany me when she’s ready.”
Chip’s hands slid into his hip pockets. “When she attends any function with you, especially out here, she’ll be eaten alive by the media. We won’t even discuss what’ll happen if Samatha’s around.”
“Not when, if . And that’s a big if. But you know what? I happen to know Michelle, and there will come a time when she’ll be on my arm when I walk a red carpet or any other colored carpet for that matter. Mark my words, and it won’t be for the lights and glamour of the moment, it’ll be for me. She’ll be there to support me.” Keith pointed to himself.
“Okay, okay. I get it,” Chip said as he held his hands up in surrender.
Keith crossed his arms over his chest and stared at his assistant. “Chip, everything with Michelle is different.” He sighed and sat in a nearby chair. “When Natasha and I got married, we were young. It was before I’d performed in my first play in college. We had dreams. I thought I’d do a few community plays, nothing spectacular, then the showbiz bug bit me. I wanted more than community plays. I wanted the big screen. She didn’t. She wanted me, but I threw that away, and I vowed I’d never do that again. Samatha knew the business. She wanted the fame and fortune, the notoriety that came with being my wife. Did she love me?” Keith sadly looked at Chip. “Honestly, I don’t know. I loved her at one time but can’t say that I was ever in love with her. Her affair proved she didn’t love me. The divorce showed she could play the part of the scorned wife. Hell, maybe she needed to be on the big screen. That was one hell of a performance.” He rested his arms on his thighs and hung his head. When he looked back at Chip, he wore the sincerest look on his face. “The love I had for Natasha or Samantha doesn’t come close to what I feel for Michelle.”
“It’s been what, a month?”
“I know it’s fast. I get it, but I also know what I’m looking for. She’s it.” Keith shrugged. “I can’t explain it any better than that.”
“But she hasn’t met Kevin and Sam.”
“She will soon.” Keith let out a heavy breath as if he’d exercised all his demons. “Have you found out about their college break schedules?”
“They’re available that week. Do you want me to send the plane for them or have them fly commercial?”
“We’ll send the plane, but the day after Michelle gets to the ranch.”
“When will that be?”
“I’ll find out tomorrow. Please let them know I want them to come out.”
“Already done.” Chip grinned. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks.”
They both laughed, and the tension broke.
“Speaking of flying, when are you going back to North Carolina?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then, get your head out of your ass and get to work. The sooner you finish here, the quicker you can head back to your lady.”
Keith smiled. “You’re right. Thanks, Chip. I guess I needed perspective.”
Chip held out his hand, indicating the direction Keith needed to go. “You’re welcome. Plus, my vacation begins as soon as you get on that plane. How long will you be gone?”
“Through the weekend.”
“Is she coming back with you?”
“Nah, she has to submit her novel to her agent, then I’ll fly out to get her.”
“Get me dates as soon as possible so I can make arrangements with Kevin and Sam.”
A sly grin pulled at Keith’s lips. “I’ll text you while you’re on vacation.”