It was a love that brought heartbreak—not then, not even when he came out to his family and friends—but years later when he told the director and producers of an upcoming film that he was gay.

And they told him, in no uncertain terms, that they’d never cast him to play James Bond.

Chapter 17

Chapter
17

WE GO TO DINNER—A STEAKHOUSE with red leather booths and dim lighting and stone walls. It feels like I’m inside a classy hunting lodge, which I’m certain is the point. I’m just grateful that the mounted animal heads on the wall are at a minimum. The restaurant is mostly empty and the waiter seats us in a back room that’s set aside from the rest of the place, so we have far more privacy than we need.

It seems rude not to order meat.

I’m feeling surly and also get a whisky on the rocks.

At lunch yesterday, Gabe insisted that he was fine watching other people drink, and Ollie also orders a drink—an old-fashioned—but I’m still at risk of being disrespectful.

I know I need to be an adult about this whole situation. That I need to deal with my hurt pride, and get through this weekend without bruising any other tender emotions.

Instead, I mainline the whisky on an empty stomach and turn to Ollie.

“I should probably get a quote or two from you about the movie,” I say. “Since you’re here.”

“Of course,” Ollie says.

I look over at Gabe. “If that’s okay with you,” I say. “I wouldn’t want to write another extremely flattering profile that you inexplicably hate.”

So much for being an adult.

“I didn’t hate the article,” Gabe says, but I wave a hand at him.

“I’m talking to Ollie now,” I say.

I’ve moved from being passive-aggressive to just plain aggressive and I know it. I can’t help myself. The anger I feel is raw and covering a whole host of other emotions that I’m not ready to deal with.

“Why The Philadelphia Story?” I ask Ollie once I’ve taken my phone out and started recording.

“I’d been told it was a movie that could use an update,” he says.

It’s almost exactly what Gabe said to me. Apparently, it’s going to be one of their go-to press junket sound bites.

“Cute,” I say, giving Gabe a look.

He shrugs, not taking the bait.

“It’s a great play,” Ollie says, clearly trying to defuse the ever-growing tension. “It was always on my list of potential material, but Gabe was the one who thought we should do it as a modern remake.”

“You started out in the theatre,” I say to Ollie. “Any plans to go back?”

He exchanges a look with Gabe.

“Actually,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons I’m here in Cooper.”