Page 42 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

He’d rather know that now than worry he’d never be good enough.

Emma burst out laughing so hard that she stopped and was doubled over with it.

She went to start speaking and then laughed even harder.

She finally sucked in some air. “I’m sorry. I think I’m good. Nope, I’m not. Give me a second.”

Tears were running down her face, she was laughing so hard.

“What is so funny?”

“Oh, Warren. You have no clue. Hunter’s wife was a foster child who he met when she worked at the front desk. She got pregnant when they were dating. My family didn’t care one bit. They love her for who she is. My brother’s wife was in the service as military police and when she got out had to raise her half-sister because her mother decided she didn’t want to do it anymore. Chelsea is abadass. She’s the best. I love my sister-in-law and never gave one shit where she came from. Do you think my family is going to judge you? America’s good old boy quarterback rising from your past and supporting your single mother and two sisters while donating to good causes? There isn’t one bad article I can find about you. You’re almost too perfect if you want to be honest. So yeah, no one is judging you.”

“When you put it that way,” he said, “I sound kind of boring.”

13

BALANCE OF LOVE AND HATE

“Emma,” Melissa French said on Monday. “I didn’t expect to hear from you. You never call me first.”

“I just got off the phone with Connor,” she said of her and her mother’s agent. “He wants me to meet the producers of the series.”

“It’s a done deal?” her mother asked.

“He made it sound that way. Like this is the last step.”

She was doing her best tap dance in her kitchen on her bare toes. It hurt like a bitch, but she didn’t care.

“I’m so happy for you,” her mother said. “I know you’re not happy about flying to California though.”

“No,” she said, pouting. “I don’t enjoy flying. All those people.” She let out a little shiver.

“You’ll be fine,” her mother said. “Do you want company?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she said, grinning.

“Which is why you called,” her mother said.

“That and one other thing. Well, two other things. Connor told me to talk to you about something.”

“That stinker,” Melissa said. “Did he tell you what?”

“No,” she said. “You know he wouldn’t. Just because we share the same agent doesn’t mean he tells each of us anything.”

“We’ve legally signed papers so that the other could stand in if need be,” her mother said.

“I know,” she said. “But what is going on?”

“You know there is another movie in the works,” her mother said.

“I do,” she said. “I heard some big names are being considered.”

Melissa sighed. “Yes,” she said. “But the actor wants to meet the author. They want to get into my brain to better play the part.”

She laughed. “Shocker. You don’t have a penis.”

Her mother burst out laughing. “I know. Maybe it’s time.”