Page 22 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

TWO HOURS LATER, GEORGIA AND ROO WERE on the dance floor holding each other and swaying as if they were the only people in the room.

“You must be relieved it’s finally a slow song. I’m not clobbering you quite as horrifically,” Roo joked.

“You’re a better dancer than you think,” she said with a smile.

“Well, now I know you love me. I’m glad to see we’re still in the honeymoon part of our relationship where our oddities come off as adorable and endearing. I imagine I’m in some trouble when the novelty of my ineptitude wears off.”

She giggled softly and looked down.

“What is it, love? Have I frightened you? I can take dancing lessons if it’s important to you.”

She raised her gaze until their eyes met. “No, it’s just . . .”

“What, darling?”

“What you said, about it being the honeymoon phase. Don’t you ever wonder if maybe . . .”

“What? That reality will come crashing in and we’ll bore of each other?”

She raised her eyebrows and nodded.

He laughed. “Of course not. I could never tire of you, and I promise to do my best to stay interesting and keep you on your toes. See, and I’m already off to a good start. You’ve been on your toes all night, fearing for your safety no doubt.”

She smiled, took a moment, and timidly said, “Actors become infatuated with each other on set all the time. It rarely lasts.”

“That’s what makes it all the more special when it does. There’s nothing to fear. This is much deeper than infatuation. I love you, now and always,” he said in a more serious tone.

“I love you too,” she said.

“How about we retire for the evening? It looks like things might wind down soon,” Roo said.

He then noticed Michael and a couple of crew members throwing back shots and jumping up and down as if they were in a mosh pit.

“Ah, or perhaps it will keep raging all night. But we could still turn in and try to drown out the noise. We have so many plans to make. We can curl up in bed and figure out what’s next. ”

Georgia glanced over at Jean, sitting alone at the table and nursing a drink. She looked back at Roo. “I’d like to spend a little time with Jean, see how he is. Can I meet you upstairs?”

“Sure,” Roo said, pecking her lips. “I’ll say a quick good night to Michael, if he’ll even hear me. I hope he doesn’t try to get me to do shots again. He’s relentless. I’ll meet you upstairs when we both break free.”

Georgia traipsed over to Jean, affectionately squeezed his shoulders, and plopped down beside him. “Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked. “I hate to see you all alone. Are you sure you’re not up for a little spin on the dance floor?”

“You’re a dear to ask, ma chérie , but I have always preferred to observe, stay out of frame as we say.”

She smiled. “Are you pleased with how the shoot went? We all felt like it was something very special.”

“Indeed. Although between us, I hope I didn’t become too sentimental.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“The endings of my films are usually quite opaque, often dark. I don’t like pretty packages tied neatly in bows.

And I don’t like to spoon-feed audiences as if they’re too lazy or stupid to do the heavy lifting themselves, even if they are.

” Georgia giggled and he snickered and continued, “But with this one, perhaps sentimentality or senility got the better of me. I wanted to make my point clear.”

“You did, without sacrificing any of the poetry. It’s gorgeous. Besides, you didn’t tie up everything. We don’t know if the lovers choose to be together.”

The glimmer of a smile flashed across Jean’s face.

He watched as Georgia glanced over at Roo, who looked like he was finally extricating himself from Michael and the others.

Roo threw her a goofy smile and then winked before leaving the room.

She turned back to Jean and said, “So tell me, it’s your film, do you think they end up together? ”

“I’m more interested in our real-life lovers.” She raised her eyebrows and he continued, “You and Roo. It doesn’t take much to see he’s madly in love with you. From where I sit, it seems mutual.”

She glanced down. “Yes, it’s just . . .”

“Tell me, ma chérie . I’m a better listener than it may seem.”

She took a breath, looked at him, and said, “Roo is the most incredible guy I’ve ever met.

We have a deep connection and love each other very much.

But it’s not like I expected anything like this to happen.

I wasn’t looking for it. I’ve always been a wanderer.

Now Roo wants us to plan a whole life and . . .”

“You’re scared out of your fucking mind.”

“Something like that.”

“You are so much like your mother. I feel as if I’m speaking with her thirty years ago. It’s remarkable.”

“My mother?”

“Ella wasn’t exactly ready for your father.”

Georgia furrowed her brow. “You’ve insinuated that before, but what do you mean? They fell in love on location, got engaged, and got married, like out of a fairy tale. We couldn’t be more different, me and my mother. Love is everything to her. She fell for my dad and never looked back.”

Jean smirked. “It’s true they fell in love that summer in Sweden.

Your father wanted to marry her, couldn’t wait to start their life together.

Ella had never committed herself to a man before.

Never even entertained the idea. She was terrified by what your father proposed, so she ended the relationship. Devastated him.”

Georgia looked perplexed, but then warmth spread over her face. She smiled and patted Jean’s hand compassionately. “Jean, I think you’re confused because I look so much like my mother. It’s okay. That could happen to anyone. I do love Roo, and I am scared, but I didn’t say I’m going to leave him.”

“Bloody hell, I’m not senile,” Jean snorted.

“Oh, I know. It’s okay if you’re a bit confused. It’s been a long day and it’s . . .”

“For fuck’s sake,” he growled with exasperation. “I’m talking about your parents. I was there that summer. I had a front-row seat to their love affair.” Georgia still looked confused, so Jean waved his arm around and called, “Michael! Come here.”

Michael tottered over and slurred, “Hey, Jean. What’s up?”

“Do you remember what happened between Ella and Finn at the end of our summer in Sweden?”

“Ella dumped Finn. Broke his heart. It was brutal.”

Georgia’s eyes were like saucers.

“Go back to your drinking and stupidity,” Jean said to Michael.

When they were alone again, Georgia looked at Jean as if she could barely formulate words. Eventually she said, “My parents never told us that. They’re such romantics. My siblings and I always thought . . .”

He touched her hand. “Ella and I had been dear friends for ten years before she met your father. Many men pursued her, as I’m sure many have pursued you.

” Georgia blushed and he continued, “She never showed real interest in any of them. She wasn’t looking to settle down.

Ella was always a free spirit, a traveler, full of passion and wanderlust. Your father threw a wrench into her life’s philosophy. ”

“But they’re together, so something must have happened.”

“Love happened. Love, Georgia. Suppose she just surrendered to it. I wouldn’t dare presume to speak for Ella, but from the looks of things over the last few decades, it seems to have worked out. Ask your mother about it sometime.”

Georgia sat quietly for a moment, processing Jean’s words. Eventually she muttered, “Thank you for sharing that with me and for listening. I should probably go upstairs. Roo is waiting for me.”

“Of course, ma chérie .”

She rose as if she was going to leave but then stopped herself and said, “Jean, can I ask you something?”

“ Oui .”

“Do you believe that romantic love is real, or do I sound ridiculous even asking that when we both know fairy tales don’t exist and the princesses probably just wanted to get the hell out of the castle to see the world?”

He let out a puff. “What you believe is all that matters. But you do so remind me of your mother.”

She gave him a peck on the cheek and slipped away.

GEORGIA OPENED THE DOOR TO FIND ROO sitting in bed, flipping through a tourism book, his phone in his lap, pillows stacked behind him.

“There you are, darling. I’ve been skimming this little gem, and I think I’ve found a couple wonderful places to stop.

How do you feel about a wellness buffet, which I think is code for vegetarian?

” She furrowed her brow and he explained, “There’s this charming little coastal town called Borgarnes.

Looks perfect for a light scenic hike and lunch.

According to online reviews, there’s a fabulous restaurant in one of the oldest houses in town.

On one side the wall is built into the rocks, and on the other there’s a bit of a water view.

Well, if you squint perhaps. Anyway, apparently the squash soup is a must.”

Georgia tried to muster a smile, still hovering in the doorway.

“What is it? Pureed soup doesn’t appeal?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just . . .”

Roo tossed the book on his nightstand. He extended his arm and said, “Come here, love.”

She kicked her shoes off and crawled into bed, burrowing into him.

He looked into her eyes and asked, “Is everything alright? You seem a bit far away.”

“I’m okay. It’s just . . .”

“The wellness buffet? I know, but I don’t think they mean it in a pretentious Hollywood way. I think they’re for real.”

“It’s not that.” She paused for a moment and said, “Roo, what are we going to do after exploring Iceland? We’ve talked about being together and traveling, but how would it work? You live in London.”

“I figured we’d have a home base somewhere. I’m not wedded to London. It could be wherever we choose. London, Los Angeles, Timbuktu. Hardly seems to matter as long as you’re there.”

She smiled faintly. “That’s sweet.”