Between the Lines

by Renee Harless

  “That’s very self-righteous of you, Quinn,” she says shamefully. “You know I’ve always hated when people make decisions for you. It’s why I always work so hard to keep you involved with your career so you can take the path you want, not the path I set for you. I thought you would’ve learned that by now.”

  “Excuse me?” I ask, eyes wide.

  “You heard me. You made a decision for all parties involved and didn’t consult anyone. So what if your friend found out and she was upset about you hooking up with her brother? She would’ve gotten over it eventually. It’s not like you broke the law or anything. If she was your friend to begin with and loved you just as much as you love her, then she would’ve wanted you to be happy, even if that means with her brother.

  “And the biggest mistake you’ve made is that you walked away from love. God, it’s like a bad romance novel. How will you feel in a few years when you find out that he’s gotten married and had kids? He may be young now, but those things are on the horizon at some point. Geez, Quinn, I don’t even know if you can fix this because you’re set to leave for filming in two days. You’re not even going to be in the same country.”

  “He… he said he would text me.”

  “So you can what, have an online romance? Where’s the big gesture? Where’s your need to fight for him?”

  “I left it all back in Dale City,” I mumble as I stare out the window.

  The drive in LA on a Sunday morning is no better than an early morning on a weekday, car after car packed tight on the freeway like sardines as we slowly make our way to the other side of the city.

  As we pull up to my condo, the driver helps unload my bags as Priscilla and I exit.

  “I’ve had the place cleaned this week and the fridge stocked, not that you’ll need much of it.”

  “Priscilla? Thank you. I’ll see you in two days.”

  “Anything for you, girl. Try to get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

  I nod and enter my condo just as Priscilla pulls away in the town car. The phone in my pocket feels like an added weight and I pull it from its confines, toying with the idea of calling Trevor back or even Izzy. Heck, at this point I’d be thrilled to hear Vic’s voice.

  Instead, as I enter the condo and smell the lemony fresh scent of furniture polish, so different from the crisp airy smell in Dale City, I feel a sense of resolve. I made a choice, a bad one, and now I need to figure out how to fix it.

  I toss my bag on the floor, my purse and phone on the countertop of my open concept kitchen, and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. As I turn around, the phone on the counter beckons me and I have to fight against the pull to grab it.

  Grateful I’m able to ignore it, I drag my bag with me to the bedroom, quickly unpacking and sorting the laundry.

  Adding the most recent phone number to my contacts list, my heart pounds wildly in my chest as I bring up the message app. My fingers shake against the screen, and I have to force myself to take a few calming breaths before I continue.

  Using the only two numbers in the app, I type out a quick message.

  Me: I love you and I’m sorry.

  I shut off the device and place it with my contracts, then shed my clothes and crawl into my neatly made bed before imitating my phone and shutting myself off, from myself and the world.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Quinn

  Two Months Later

  THE PLANE FINALLY TOUCHES down back in LAX and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been two months too long since I’ve stepped foot in the Golden State. Beside me, Priscilla flips the top of her computer down to power it off and shoves it into her bag. The plane the production team chartered for us assured a nonstop flight from Vancouver, Canada to Los Angeles, and I am forever grateful.

  I’m also thrilled to be able to follow up on a few plans I had while I was gone, plans that involve me and my future. Priscilla wasn’t too keen on the idea at first, but I think she’s warmed up to it with time. Ms. Percell sent me an email through my website announcing her retirement and I took a chance to fund a new community theater group in Dale City, with Ms. Percell as the ringleader, and I couldn't be more thrilled to start the program.

  We’re escorted off the plane and ushered into a holding area while our bags are retrieved. In the corner, a television airs a local news affiliate, and I use the time to mindlessly catch up on the summary.

  The popular entertainment section appears on the screen and I groan as my name flashes across the bottom. The rumor mill surrounding the pictures of me and Trevor has died down, but not completely. I still get the occasional question about him from some of the crew and people I meet in town—mostly those of the female persuasion.

  Priscilla’s been true to her word and made sure I kept up with Trevor even when I filmed a fourteen-hour day. I had gone from speaking to Izzy every day to not at all. It was quite the adjustment, but I managed. Of course, in the time I’ve spent away from Izzy and Trevor, I’ve come to realize how much I love them and how much I miss them in my life.

  As Priscilla comes to stand beside me, I notice the stern look on her face and finally focus on the television once more. Pictures of me on set with my costar flash across the screen, questioning a new romance beside one of the photos leaked of Trevor and me.

  My heart aches as I imagine him or his sister witnessing these claims.

  Speculation over costar romances isn’t anything new in the industry, but it’s the first time they’ve targeted me.

  “Come on.” Priscilla tugs on my arm. “Our bags are ready.”

  I follow Priscilla into my condo, thankful she had it cleaned before we arrived. A rumble sounds in my gut I move over to the kitchen, searching the upper cabinets until I spy the sleeves of chocolatey goodness. Opening the package of cookies, I take out three and unceremoniously shove them in my mouth like a toddler.

  “You look like a starved heathen in here,” Priscilla says. “I would’ve thought you’d learn some manners over the years.” She motions for me to share but I hold the package tightly to my chest like it’s my prized possession. And after two months of salmon and leafy greens, it most certainly is.

  “No, they’re mine,” I claim, but she doesn’t listen. My friend pounces on me, practically knocking me to the floor in her haste to grab the bag of delicious treats. “Stop, you’re going to crush my babies!” I shout through the mouthful of Oreos.

  Her steady hand reaches between us and grabs a cookie that escaped my hold, and she chants triumphantly as she shoves it into her mouth.

  “Fine, you got one. Now get off me.”

  “Gladly. Now let’s talk about your schedule this week.”

  “My what?” I shove another cookie in my mouth and begrudgingly store the package back in the cabinet. “I’ll be back for you,” I whisper at the closed door before I turn and meet Priscilla in my living room, where she begins sorting through the mail that was delivered this morning by her assistant.

  The box looks ominous as it sits on the floor. Priscilla goes through each rubber-banded bundle and puts aside the important items. It takes her about twenty minutes to sort through everything, and then she hands me an envelope that she claims is the most important.

  She tightens her grip when I try to take the envelope. “Quinn, I want you to read this with an open mind. You can say yes or no and I will not judge you.” My palm begins to sweat as I consider that something dire rests inside the linen-colored envelope. “Please do what’s best for you, not for anyone else.”

  She finally lets go of the envelope and I hold it in both hands. My name is written in beautiful calligraphy, and it almost pains me to open the flap. As I pull out the heavy cardstock covered by a piece of vellum, my tongue dries and my blood pulses through my veins. Removing the fine parchment, I read the wedding invitation as tears pool in my eyes, making my vision too blurry to focus on the rest of the wording.

  “How… how did you know?” I sniffle.

  “Because I�
��ve been keeping in touch. They have family money, so they obviously pulled this together rather quickly. I don’t think most brides can pick out a dress in two months, let alone plan an entire wedding,” she admits as she hands me my phone. “I think you leaving was the catalyst to them rushing to the altar. Time is too short to waste.”

  I stare back down at the invitation and trace over the embossed letters of each name and the date.

  “What should I do? I’m not even sure they want me there.”

  “I don’t think you would’ve been invited if you weren’t wanted. And what do you want to do?”

  Feeling around in my shorts pocket, I bring out the keyring I’ve been keeping on me at all times and stare down at the picture. I hadn’t realized I was crying until a teardrop falls onto the plastic encasement, and I quickly wipe it away.

  “I want to go,” I whisper, then turn to Priscilla and say more forcefully, “I want to go.”

  “I thought that might be your answer. The wedding is tomorrow. I’ve scheduled you a flight for the morning, and a dress will be waiting for you at the airport with your ride.”

  “How did you…?”

  “Regardless of what took place and what words were exchanged, you love them and want to be there for them. I knew you would say yes. And if you didn’t? Well, I was going to take a little trip to see what all the fuss was about,” she adds with an oversized grin.

  Standing from the sofa, she takes the big box under her arm and carries it to the guest room where she deposited her bags when we arrived.

  “Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll make sure you’re up in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Priscilla. For everything.”

  “Don’t mention it. What would I do without my favorite client?”

  “You’d still have me as your friend.”

  “And that’s why I treat you the way I do. Get some rest.”

  *

  I TAP THE INVITATION against my leg as I sit in the town car, impatiently waiting for us to arrive in Dale City. The red floor-length gown reflects a hint of the sun as it bounces off the satin material.

  While I was filming, Priscilla had all of my items from my parents’ sent into storage and helped set up an art scholarship for the high school. But as I pass through the city limits, my chest twinges at how much I missed this place, a place I wasn’t certain I would ever return to.

  “We’re here, miss,” the driver indicates, and I realize we’ve parked outside of the church. The same church Izzy, Trevor, and I used to go to every Sunday and sit beside each other in the pews.

  My door opens abruptly and I exit the vehicle only to have my name called from the front of the building.

  Sue rushes toward me in a beautiful gray dress, expertly making her way down the stairs in her heels.

  “You’re here! I can’t believe you’re here. I wasn’t sure if you were going to be done filming in time. I’m so relieved.”

  She starts tugging on my arm, dragging me up the steps until her words finally settle.

  “Wait,” I say as I dig in my heels. “You’re the one who sent me the invitation?”

  “Of course, I want all my family together on this joyous day. Come with me, dear. Isabel and Trevor are going to be so shocked to see you!”

  As I realize that our turn of events was never relayed to Sue, it’s too late to walk away because opening the door before me is Trevor. And not just any Trevor. Trevor in a custom three-piece suit molded to his body like a second skin. I actually gulp.

  “I… I need to go, Sue. I don’t think I should be here,” I apologize as I yank my arm free and rush back toward the front of the building, praying my ride is still waiting. But then I hear my name, and I’m paralyzed from continuing on.

  “Quinn?” His voice almost quivers as he calls out. “I’m… I didn’t think you’d show.”

  I finally look up into his piercing green eyes and am struck by the gleam of despair residing in them. Had I done that when I left? Had I quenched the spark that always ignited in my presence? We messaged but nothing ever too deep—I couldn’t let our relationship go there again—but that friendship we had as teens was never going to resurface the way it once had been.

  “I didn’t realize your mother sent the invitation. If I had known I wouldn’t have come. I don’t want to upset Izzy on her day.”

  Music begins to play in the church, and Trevor practically stomps his foot in agitation.

  “Please stay. I want you to stay. The ceremony is about to start. Would you sit with me?”

  “Shouldn’t the front just be family?”

  “You’ve always been family, Quinn.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll be out shortly. Just take a seat by Mother. I’ll find you.”

  He kisses my cheek, the soft peck burning itself into my skin, and I’m too stunned to turn away.

  “You look beautiful,” he adds as he ducks into the room he came from, leaving me alone in the hall with my thoughts.

  Twenty minutes later, I’m staring at Izzy in a beautiful white gown while she exchanges vows with Vic. Trevor grasped my hand once he sat down, and I was far too weak to pull away. Now as the ceremony closes, Trevor squeezes my hand gently, enough for me to avert my attention from Izzy to him.

  “We need to talk before the reception. Will you come with me?”

  “Okay,” I respond without hesitation.

  Together we stand as Izzy and Vic exit, her eyes widening in surprise and then utter happiness when she sees me standing with her family. I know Trevor and I won’t have long to talk before Izzy seeks me out, but I’ll take any moment alone with him that I can.

  As the couple walks past in their elation, Trevor pulls on my hand and I follow him down the other side of the aisle toward the older part of the church that leads to a small social room.

  The motion-activated light flicks on, and Trevor whirls around so abruptly I pin myself to the wall. His chest heaving rapidly, his eyes never leaving my face as he stalks closer. I can feel his warmth through the thin satin of my dress, even from the foot or more distance, and I’m transported back to when we came together in the laundry room at the Dale City Assisted Living Facility.

  “I’ve missed you so goddamn much, Quinn.” He wraps one hand around the back of my neck and the other around my waist, dragging my body closer to his.

  Trevor pins his mouth against mine and our lips move against each other’s in an elusive dance. At this moment I realize how grand of a mistake I made two months ago. We could’ve worked it out. We could’ve made things right with Izzy. We could’ve let our feelings become involved. Maybe I was too scared. Maybe I was too foolish. Maybe I was too naive to realize what I had in my grasp.

  I wrap my arms around Trevor’s body, clawing at his back, needing to be as close to him as humanly possible. He opens his mouth as my tongue licks at his lower lips, and I accept the invitation wholly.

  A knock sounds on the door, quickly followed by Izzy’s soft voice. “Quinn? Are you in here?”

  She doesn’t wait for a response, opening the door just as Trevor pulls his lips away from mine. His hair is messed up, and the skirt of my dress is clenched in his fist. He steps back from me as Izzy walks into the room, quickly followed by Vic, and she rushes toward me.

  “I am so surprised to see you,” she exclaims as she wraps me in her arms. Her cheek pressed into my neck and shoulder, I feel the wetness of her tears and it quickly triggers my own. I can’t believe I thought she needed to choose between me and Trevor. Our friendship was always stronger than that; we could’ve managed. It may have been iffy for a while, but it would’ve worked out.

  “I’m an idiot,” I murmur as I squeeze her back, wanting to keep my friend in my arms forever.

  “No, I’m the idiot. I’m so sorry for everything.” She steps out of my grasp and begins to pace in front of me, her silken dress swaying between her legs. “For so long, so so long, I was afraid of Trevor hurting you or you hurting him.
See, I saw the way you two would look at each other when the other wasn’t paying attention, and it tore me up inside. I didn’t want to lose my best friend or my brother, and I felt that if you two came together, then I was going to lose you both and our time together. Instead, I suffered by not having Trevor with us all the time, but that meant I got you. And then when I found out what you both did, I was angry. Furious. Because how could the two people I love the most in the world keep this from me and hide it behind my back? But then I fell in love myself, and I understood why you’d want to keep something so personal so private. To keep something just for yourself. It was childish and selfish of me.” Turning her glazed-over eyes back to me, she asks, “Will you ever forgive me?”

  “I love you, Iz,” I reply as I tearfully take her back into my arms.

  “I can’t believe you stayed away so long,” Vic says from his stance beside Trevor, both men devastatingly handsome in their custom-fit tuxedos.

  I sniffle once, twice, then admit, “In my defense, I was filming in Canada.”

  “We know. We’re just pulling your leg. We’ve all been talking with Priscilla. She’s the shit, by the way.”

  “Yes she is,” I reply before stepping out of Izzy’s embrace. “I don’t want to take up your day, so I’m just going to head to the reception. We can catch up later.”

  “How long are you staying?” Izzy asks.

  I draw a blank, not sure if Priscilla booked a room for me in Houston, in town, or frankly at all.

  “I, uh… I’m not sure how long I’m staying. Or where, to be honest.”

  Izzy winks at Trevor and then wraps her hand around Vic’s arm.