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TWENTY-SEVEN
The warmer temperatures of early March had melted the last of the snow along the route to Schultz Cottage. Tiny green buds were sprouting from the tree branches, flowers were bursting through the soil, and the excitement of a fresh new season was in the air.
Three busy months had passed during pre-production on Adelia’s movie. Principal photography would begin soon, but for the few weeks in between, she was back in Michigan for Genevieve’s baby shower and wedding dress shopping with Skylar.
A nervous excitement had been running through her from the moment she stepped off of the airplane, and she couldn’t deny it was because she might see Oliver while she was in town.
They had texted once just after she returned to California. He congratulated her on the movie and wished her well. Then he let her know about the photographer in her blackmailing case being released with only a fine and probation, which was disappointing and infuriating. He said they would continue to check any and all leads. And that was the extent of it.
After their disappointing exchange, she decided not to reach out to him. It was too painful to keep up a friendship, knowing they could never be more. But it didn’t stop her from picking up her phone every once in a while with the intent to call.
Focusing on her movie and doing what she loved most helped the time fly by. She loved everything about the production process and was learning so much. There wasn’t a day gone by when she wasn’t thankful to be telling this story.
Skylar’s red Porsche was already in the driveway when she arrived at the cottage. Adelia was relieved that Skylar would be staying there with her while she was in town.
The door opened, and Skylar and Merritt came rushing outside and greeted her with a group hug then helped her with her things.
Once inside, Adelia went to the living room and flopped down on the couch.
“It’s good to be back,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been in constant work mode for months.”
“You have,” Merritt said, “but how exciting. Did you start filming yet?”
“Next month.” She couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t wait.”
“Is Layton your costar?” Skylar teased.
“Oh my gosh, don’t even joke about that. I will never work with him again if I can help it.”
The girls laughed, and it filled Adelia’s soul. She hadn’t realized how much she needed time with her friends. Despite how busy she’d been, it had been a lonely time for her.
One good thing to come out of it was spending time with her mom, who had stayed at the Malibu house with her for a few weeks until Dad returned to their home in Beverly Hills. Dad was open to talking, and Mom soon moved back home with him.
Adelia still wasn’t sure what to think of all that. If she had been in that situation, she didn’t know if she would be so quick to forgive her husband’s infidelity. But she wasn’t married and didn’t understand the inner workings of a thirty-year relationship.
After pouring some wine—fruit juice for Merritt—they settled in for some girl talk before dinner.
“Look at you with your cute baby belly,” Adelia said. “How are you feeling?”
“Overall, pretty good. I’m in the second trimester now, so any nausea I had early on is gone. Honestly, I think I got lucky. I didn’t get very sick. But don’t mention that around Genevieve. She was sick as a dog for weeks.”
“Poor thing,” Adelia said.
“You should see her, though. She’s one of those beautiful pregnant women who have this glow and look exactly the same, except for the baby belly.”
“Aww, Merritt, you’re a beautiful pregnant woman too,” Skylar told her.
“You’re gorgeous,” Adelia agreed. “And you are totally glowing.”
“That’s from being sweaty and bloated. I tried to brighten up my face with my cosmetics. If I wasn’t wearing any, you’d see these dark blotches on my face from this hormone-induced melasma I’ve got going on.” She pointed to her forehead. “Thanks, pregnancy!”
“I’ve heard about that, and it usually fades,” Skylar said.
“I know. I’m not worried about it. But I definitely have to work to get the ‘pregnant glow.’”
“I’m sure Gus doesn’t care,” Adelia said.
Merritt got a silly grin on her face. “He’s all over me lately, so …”