by Cara Dee
"So what's got your panties in a twist today, kid?" he asked as they got in a taxi. He gave the address to the driver and got comfortable in his seat. "You mentioned something about Josh."
"He's moving out," Noah bitched. "I kinda saw it coming, but I was hoping it'd be another year or so, and then I wouldn’t have to find a new roommate."
"You don’t actually need one, you know." Tennyson frowned. "Surely you can afford that loft on your own now." And Noah already had two other roommates, though they were rarely home.
He shrugged. "I know, but it's easy. I like having roommates. But I suppose it doesn’t matter. I'm ready to get out of LA. Hopefully, Emma can be my roommate."
Tennyson remembered back in Vancouver, Noah had mentioned he'd wanted to move.
"Do yourself a favor and don’t phrase it like that when you ask." He laughed and looked out the window. "It'd be like getting down on one knee and handing her a small jewelry box with chewing gum in it."
He had a certain jewelry box himself, but there wasn’t gum inside it.
That thought had him smiling to himself.
"I know that expression." Noah narrowed his eyes, and then scoffed. "Look at us. One getting ready to move in with his girlfriend, one about to pop the big question. What happened?"
"How is any of this weird?" Tennyson chuckled incredulously. "It's not like we're in high school anymore. I'm forty-one and you're…what, thirty-five, thirty-six?"
"It's not that." He folded his arms over his chest, resembling a damn child all of a sudden. "I've made fun of friends who've settled down. I never thought being pussy-whipped was even a possibility for me."
"Jesus, kid, you really are on the rag." Tennyson smirked and shook his head. "Are you sure there's nothing else bothering you?"
"No. Well, yes." Noah's jaw clenched. "I'm loyal like a fucking dog, and I'm no sellout. Yet, he accuses me of being some Hollywood pretty boy now—a shitty friend and untrustworthy."
"You lost me, man."
"Josh," he went on with a nod. "That motherfucker. I honestly don’t know what his problem is with me, but he called me every name in the book. I'm guessing he was drunk—I don’t know. He called me up and was all pissed." He blew out a breath, his knee bouncing. "Damn, I need a drink."
That was when the taxi pulled over, so Tennyson paid the fare and got out, promising he'd keep 'em coming for Noah until he was sufficiently plastered. By wedding standards, anyway.
Ignoring the "Closed" sign, he opened the door and entered the bar. Pub felt more correct, despite some American flags and memorabilia on the walls.
"Fuck me twice." Noah seemed to like the place. "The bride must be one cool chick to let your cousin have the reception in a bar."
"Not bride. Groom," Tennyson corrected, offering a two-finger wave to his parents as they spotted him. "Flynn's gay. Come on." He pushed up the sleeves of his pullover and walked farther in. The place wasn’t big, and the wedding party was even smaller. Some fifteen people were gathered around four round tables, and there were snacks and drinks everywhere.
"Look what the cat dragged in!" Thomas Wright, only cheery as hell when he'd had a few. If Tennyson's father was rough around the edges, this old man was granite. Good man, though. "Where's your brother?"
Tennyson grinned and shook his hand. "He's in San Diego with his girlfriend's daughter, trying his best to be a stepdad. How are ya, old man?"
Uncle Thomas chattered about this and that, Dad chiming in here and there, and Tennyson took the opportunity to greet Aunt Margaret.
"It's so good to see you, sweetheart," she said as he kissed her cheek. "I feel foolish—Flynn's only request was to keep it small, and we had no idea you would be in London. I'm sorry—"
"It's more than all right," he assured her. "Let me congratulate the grooms, and then we can catch up."
She nodded and patted his hand. "Hurry back. I want pictures of your Kayden."
Didn’t all old people want that? "I've got you covered." He winked then continued to the table in the corner.
Flynn had been socially awkward and shy as a kid, and that hadn't really changed.
His mother, Tennyson's cousin, had passed away years ago. But despite Flynn's age—he was still young, in his early twenties—and the small size of his family, he'd done well for himself. He was ridiculously smart. Genius level smart—and business savvy.
Once they'd greeted each other, Flynn began fidgeting and apologizing for being rude and not extending an invitation sooner, but Tennyson squeezed his shoulder gently and waved it off.
"Don’t worry about it, Flynn. I understand." He smiled. "Introduce your husband instead."
"Oh, of course—yes, right away." He adjusted his tie as the man next to him stood up. "This is Cory. Cory, Tennyson—my grandfather's brother's son."
"Nice to meet you, Cory." Tennyson shook the man's hand firmly.
He smiled politely and nodded. "You too. I've seen some of your films. Unrecovered was cool, but I really loved Fallen."
One of Tennyson's earlier films—and his one and only contribution to a historical era. "Thank you." He inclined his head. Not wanting to intrude on their evening, he congratulated them on their marriage and then returned to his parents' table where Noah was trying to catch up with the beer drinking.
With him seated between Dad and Uncle Thomas, it left one chair available between Mom and Aunt Margaret. Tennyson would've rather switched places, but he did have an agenda, so he might as well get that over with. He only hoped his mother had wised up.
"I didn’t know Noah was in a serious relationship," Mom told him. "Why didn’t you tell me? This is wonderful news."
"I didn’t know you were my priest." Tennyson grinned wryly and reached for a beer. "By the way, before I forget, could you point me in the right direction so I can send Flynn and Cory a gift?"
"Of course, dear." Mom patted his arm. "I'll find something as soon as we get home. I'm glad you came, though it's unfortunate Kayden couldn’t be here."
"He is where he's supposed to be, Mom. Sophie's barely seen him these past few months. She's a wreck."
"Poor girl." For the first time, Mom seemed sincerely distraught over something that concerned Sophie. She turned to Margaret. "She works way too much, that one. It hasn’t been easy for her, building up a whole new life."
He was surprised to see her being supportive of Sophie, if that was what it was. "She'll be taking a break soon," he said. "As soon as she's done in Germany, she'll have three weeks of filming with me, and then she's off until press begins." He paused to take a swig of his beer. "I believe her agent wants her to book a couple new projects, but nothing that will start until late next year."
They'd discussed it briefly during his twenty-four hours in Munich, and he was relieved they wanted the same thing. When he worked, she was off. When she worked, he was off. They'd take turns and only commit to one project each about every eighteen months or so.
"That’s good." Margaret nodded. "You kids these days, all career this and career that. You forget to live."
Tennyson chuckled. It'd been a while since he'd been called a kid.
Mom pursed her lips, studying him. "You have something to tell me."
"Pardon me?" His brow furrowed. Of course, he did have something to tell her, but how the hell could she know?
"I gave birth to you," she said pointedly. "I know you. Now, spit it out."
Well, all right, then. "Sophie and I are together now." He paused, gauging her reaction, but it was mostly blank. "I plan on asking her to marry me."
She sucked in a breath at that, her hand going to her chest. "Oh, Tennyson."
He didn’t know what the hell that meant.
"Why are you not happy?" Margaret frowned and gave Mom's arm a light whack. "They already have a child together. Don't you live together, too?" She turned to Tennyson.
"Basically." He inclined his head, keeping his mother in his sights. "I have a room at her place, though it's become a secon
d home." He didn’t actually dislike the loft. It was only the outside he could be without, and he hoped with his entire being Sophie would like Mendocino. At least for when they were off work.
It was only a matter of time before they'd need to find a school for Kayden.
"I did see this coming, dear." Mom sighed and looked down. "I'm not upset, and—as you've told me, and you're right—it's none of my business. I'm only worried."
"About what?" He didn’t fucking get it. Holidays, birthdays…Sophie tried so damn hard, and she was a total sweetheart. But for some reason, his mother saw another version of Sophie, one who didn’t exist.
"It's her age," Mom confessed, turning to Margaret. "She's only twenty-four. Seventeen years is a big difference."
Possibly, but it was a difference Tennyson had come to like very much. He enjoyed having two vastly different perspectives in their relationship. Two sets of experiences, two views on society…a sex life that was out of this world.
He had a feeling he and Sophie would never become the same person, like many married people did. They had their own lives too, different interests and philosophies. And it was one of the things he loved the most about their relationship. There was always something new.
"I admit I have given Sophie a hard time," Mom went on with regret in her tone. "She's very sweet and compassionate. Motherhood certainly suits her. But that doesn’t mean I can't worry your differences may become too large one day. With an age gap like that…you could grow apart within ten years, and then—"
"I'm not fucking dying, Mom," Tennyson chuckled. "And you know what? I'd rather have ten years with her than a lifetime with someone else."
"Goodness, I think we need more champagne over here," Margaret decided.
Mom sighed and smiled ruefully. "You really, truly love her."
"I really, truly do."
She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze. "Then I'm happy for you. And I promise to apologize to her." That made Tennyson smile, and he chugged back some beer. "I hope you can keep up with her, though. She's an energetic little girl, and you're not getting any younger."
He coughed and spluttered.
*
It was late when Tennyson dragged Noah back to the hotel. The younger man was drunk and talking about how much he missed his girl, which was both funny and frustrating. Because Tennyson was only used to babysitting his son, not his assistant director.
"I've changed, boss." Noah moped as Tennyson helped him into the elevator. "I don’t like that I like it."
"I'm beginning to feel sorry for Emma." The woman certainly had her work cut out for her. Then again, Tennyson was sure she could handle it. The spunky redhead loved sports as much as Noah did, and seeing her at work during filming, he knew she was confident, had thick skin, and was as nice as she was ballsy.
He wouldn’t be surprised if Sophie got along well with her, either. Brooklyn already did.
The elevator was almost on their floor when Noah jumped and started patting his pockets.
"That could be her." He fumbled with his phone and read the message that must've been sent to him, but then his shoulders slumped. "Wasn’t her. Fuckin' Josh again." He scowled blearily at Tennyson. "Y'know, he should take his anger out on you instead—not me. You're the one who swooped in and took Sophie away from him—not me."
"What did you just say?" He narrowed his eyes.
"What?" Noah looked as confused as Tennyson felt. Though, Noah's blood probably wasn’t boiling. "You know. You know. Josh and Sophie—before… After her birthday dinner."
He clenched his teeth and tried his best not to throw his fist through a motherfucking wall, but it wasn’t easy. "They were together?"
Noah's expression paled. "You didn’t know."
Tennyson just glared. Holy fuck, he was raging. "How long—How long were they together?"
"Um, fuck—I don’t know, a few weeks, I think. Yeah." Noah rubbed at his eyes. "I thought you knew, boss. I'm sorry. Josh wasn’t exactly secretive about it. He said they started dating after her dinner, and then they split on your birthday."
Revulsion tore through Tennyson. On his birthday—oh, Jesus Christ. It was the same night he'd slept with her.
Chapter 21
Munich
"So it's really okay?" Sophie asked. Daniel was on speaker so she could hear him while giving Kayden a bath in her hotel suite. "You mentioned the placements on my body and everything?"
"It's fine," Daniel assured her. "The studio says as long as you don’t cut your hair—in case they need retakes."
"No plans to cut my hair," Sophie chuckled. "Hey, did you find me a Realtor yet?"
"I did. Right now, I'm hunting for someone who can run the foundation for you. You need a tax attorney and new financial advisor¸ too." Daniel hummed, the sound of keys tapping in the background. "Perhaps I should give Asher a call. How many buildings were you thinking?"
She shrugged and poured baby shampoo in her hand. "No idea. You've told me how much I can spend a year, and I wanna stretch it—but not to the point where the residents are forced to live in shacks."
Her vision was simple: affordable housing in the city for single parents. Sophie would cover half the rent and raise money to expand and be able to help more. She had the right income, and she would never be one of those who just sat on their fortune.
So. Central Living was born. At first, LA had been in the name, but her hope was to do this in other cities, as well.
She couldn’t wait to tell Tennyson.
*
Munich
It hurt. It hurt so bad. This one hurt more than the other. God, she was glad she'd left Kayden with Angela.
She gritted her teeth as the tattoo artist finished the last little bird on her shoulder blade. Three of them in total, small silhouettes of them, to represent Tennyson, her, and Kayden. All the metaphors about flying—they'd fly together from now on.
She felt like a moron, being on the verge of tears. She'd given birth, for chrissakes. Maybe it sounded badass to go in for three tattoos at once, but they were all small. The birds on her shoulder blade, an infinity symbol with a feather and the word "Love" on her hip, and soon, a tiny heart on the inside of her ring finger with "Family" written in a cursive font.
"All done," the tattoo artist said when he'd covered the ink in plastic. His friend, who spoke better English, explained they were ready to do the last tattoo now, and Sophie sat up carefully and followed the instructions.
"No light-headedness?" the friend asked. "Some need sugar—they can get dizzy."
She shook her head no and managed a smile. "Just hurt like a son of a bitch."
He chuckled.
"The things we do for love, huh?" She grinned.
She couldn’t wait to show Tennyson.
*
Munich
All the way down to the hotel restaurant where the wrap party was being held, Kayden giggled and touched Sophie's new earrings. She was pretty sure he was proud too, since he'd picked them out. Apparently, it made her cool to have Minion earrings.
They didn’t match her cocktail dress, but so what? Sophie was on cloud nine. Nothing could ruin her evening.
Okay, one thing could. A waiter passed with a tray of hors d'oeuvres, and it made her stomach roll. She made a mental note to stay away from those, unless she wanted to run off to the bathroom to throw up her dinner from before.
"Are you not feeling well?" one of the actors asked her.
She lowered Kayden to the floor and nodded, then took a sip of her water. "I'm fine, thank you."
"Hey, have some champagne." He grabbed a glass for her, and she shook her head with a smile. "No?"
"Don't really feel like it—maybe later." In six or seven months, give or take.
She really couldn’t fucking wait to see Tennyson.
*
"See Pup, Mathh?" Kayden asked sleepily.
"Not yet, baby." Sophie carried him toward their gate. "Pup and Max are with Uncle Ash and Maliah,
remember? We'll see them in a few weeks." Not that he could grasp the concept of weeks. "You excited to see Daddy?"
He nodded and stuck his thumb into his mouth, his head dropping to her shoulder. Lucy and Angela followed closely behind, and she would've rolled her eyes if she didn’t think they were sweeter than sugar for being protective.
The day after Sophie had gotten her tattoos, she'd woken up nauseated and ran half-asleep and half-panicked to empty her stomach into the toilet. After that, she had asked Angela to buy a pregnancy test, so that was when she'd learned about it. And Lucy had figured it out hours later when Sophie had politely refused coffee with a cheesy grin on her face. But other than them, Tennyson would be the next person to find out.
She was thrilled. This time, she had paid attention to her body's changes. Hell, she'd been obsessed, but she couldn’t help it. She really wanted this.
It would hopefully lighten Tennyson's mood, too. He'd been irritable and too busy to talk lately. Sophie guessed he was swamped with work.
Right before they boarded the plane to London, where they'd middle land and get on the next plane to Cardiff, Brooklyn texted her.
The concealer for your skin tone just arrived. I'm so excited to see you! Counting down the hours.
Holy hell, Sophie was excited, too. A thrill of adrenaline surged through her, which made it easier to push down the exhaustion. The latter could be pregnancy-related, too, she supposed.
It made her wonder how far along she was. Tennyson had visited her once last month in Munich, and then before that…three months ago, after Toronto, before Germany.
*
Kayden was beyond beat when they arrived in Cardiff, so Angela took him to the hotel while Sophie and her assistant drove down to the set.
It was almost October, and fall had arrived in Wales. Leaves were turning orange and red, the air was crisper, and rain clouds filled the sky.
"They closed down an entire grocery store?" Lucy asked as they parked.
"Yeah, for two days, I think." Sophie got out of the car and checked her phone. Brooklyn's crew would be working on her soon, mainly dyeing her hair and double-checking color samples for makeup. And she had to request a second physical too, since she was pregnant, but there was time to say hi to Tennyson first.
