Page 4 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

Ella laughed. “Age hasn’t slowed him down one bit. His reputation with women is well-earned. I can speak from experience. After all, he tried to feel me up when we first met. Come to think of it, I was a bit younger than you at the time.”

“Gross!” Georgia, Betty, and Albert moaned in unison.

Ella giggled. “Don’t worry, Georgia. He thinks of you as a niece. We’re just teasing. Well, mostly. Jean is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We adore each other.”

“Someone please change the subject. I don’t want to hear any more about how my boss tried to feel up Mom,” Georgia whined.

“Fair enough,” Finn said with a laugh. He turned to his son and asked, “Are you looking forward to the summer classes you’ll be taking at MassArt?”

Albert took a sip of water and responded, “Yeah. Thanks for letting me do it. I know I could have gotten a job right after graduation, but . . .”

“Your mother and I are happy to support your continued education,” Finn assured him.

“Of course we are,” Ella concurred.

“You’ve always been so passionate about drawing. We thought you’d get a job as an illustrator or something. What made you interested in studying animation?” Finn asked.

“I figured this would give me more options to turn art into a career.” Albert looked down and added, “If I develop skills in animation, I might be able to do something in the entertainment industry. Maybe work in television or film. Hollywood even.”

Finn smiled. “It’s smart to create options for yourself.”

“Whatever you do, we couldn’t be prouder, my sweet boy,” Ella added, leaning over and patting his hand. “I know how you get lost in your art and studies, but make sure you leave time for a social life this summer. You’re only young once. Have some fun too.”

“Yeah,” Albert muttered, picking up his fork and taking a bite of chicken.

“It always sounded like you had some good friends at school. Did they all leave after graduation or are some still in Boston?” Ella asked.

Albert swallowed the food in his mouth and replied, “I still have a few people. It’s why I wanted to move to Harvard Square. My friends are in the same apartment building. I don’t mind taking public transportation to school.”

“Good,” Ella said. She turned to Betty. “What about that nice friend of yours your father and I met last time we visited you in New York? Khalil? How is he? We thought he was lovely.”

“He’s fine. Working crazy hours like me.

Honestly, he’s a lifeline. If it weren’t for him, I’d have no life at all.

We play a lot of board games and eat a ton of takeout.

It’s nice to have someone to keep you company who understands the demands of the job, the insane hours.

A few weeks ago, I got new curtains for my apartment, and he came over to help me hang them.

We do stuff like that for each other. Since neither of us is from New York, it’s good we have each other. ”

“Uh, he totally sounds like your boyfriend,” Georgia said.

“He is not my boyfriend,” Betty protested.

“Board games, takeout, hanging upholstery. It sounds boring and monotonous. From what I hear, that’s a boyfriend,” Georgia said.

Betty rolled her eyes. “What about you? Who’s your latest boy toy?”

“No one, really. And they’re not toys. They’re definitely not boyfriends either. They’re just lovers ,” Georgia replied with dramatic flair.

“Okay, that may be enough of that,” Finn said, his face turning red.

Ella laughed. “Don’t listen to your father. There’s nothing wrong with talking about sex.”

“This coming from the woman who wrote about vibrators, blow jobs, and orgasms,” Betty said, rubbing her eyes. “Do you have any idea what that was like for us growing up?”

“You know, for an obstetrician, you have a surprisingly narrow view of sex,” Ella quipped.

“That’s because she and her boyfriend spend all their time playing board games,” Georgia squealed.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Betty repeated.

“Well, if you need sex tips, read Mom’s books. Seems Dad is a lucky guy,” Georgia joked.

They exploded with laughter.

Finn’s cheeks were bright pink. He raised his glass and said, “It’s so much fun having you all here.

We love it so much that we want to do it again.

Mark your calendars. Your mother and I have a big anniversary coming up on the first of October.

To celebrate the occasion, and because I’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” he said, staring at his beloved, “we’re renewing our wedding vows.

It’s a very special day for us and we want you here.

I’ll take care of the arrangements.” The kids nodded, and Finn continued, “Cheers to being together!”

“Cheers!”

A little while later, they were all in the kitchen cleaning up.

Betty, Georgia, and Albert were wrapping the leftovers and putting them away while Finn and Ella finished the dishes.

As Ella was drying the last dish, Finn came up behind her, slipped his hands around her waist, and kissed the back of her head.

Ella turned toward him. He ran his finger down her cheek and she looked down.

Finn whispered something to her. She giggled and skimmed her fingers along his temple, their eyes glued to each other, their faces barely centimeters apart.

“Someone should really tell them to get a room,” Betty whispered to her siblings.

“They’re so weird,” Georgia whispered in return.

Albert smiled. “I think they’re great.”