“They’re together. It’s legit. It’s canon. I’m still pissed they killed Banker III.”

“Thank you! She was the best. They seemed to learn their lesson about fridging, but I maintain that they need to resurrect her pure soap opera style. You don’t get Angella Weller to slum it on your cable sci-fi show and then kill her off right after she meets the love of her life.”

“You know it was her decision, right?” Sam laughed a little more.

“No. I know. She got cast in the Flight remake and made, like, a bajillion dollars, but I still hate the way they did it.”

“She could still come back and do guest spots. No fictional death needs to be forever.”

“Amen to that shit.” Amanda sighed and reached for her stuffed Pluto plush under her pillow. “I’m glad you called. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

“Couldn’t agree more. I love the sound of my voice.”

“Ha. Ha.”

“You know I’m playin’. I do have bad news though. Well, good news and bad news.”

“What’s that? Gimme ya news.”

“I won’t be able to see you this weekend.”

“So you were just using me, huh? I let you catch a glimpse of this beautiful, beautiful face. I let you touch this sweet, sweet ass, sample of this prime pussy, and you’re just going to leave me. I won’t be ignored, Samuel.”

She smiled as Sam’s laughter came through the phone. “Are you sure you don’t want to be an actor?”

“God no. I hate cameras, but what’s up?”

“My brother Jesse. He’s going through some shit so I figured he and I could get out of town. We’re going to Bali for a few days.”

“Oh, just to Bali.”

“Wanted to take him to a different time zone so he wouldn’t be thinking about the ranch, and he loves to swim.”

“I’m trying to picture him doing a lazy backstroke.”

“Oh, that mufucka can swim. He won’t touch a horse, but if you challenge him to a fifty-meter breaststroke he’ll grab his goggles and tell you not to be late.”

“That’s amazing. I love it. Brother time in Bali sounds like fun.” Another sigh escaped. Part of her was still in disbelief at how easy it was to talk to Sam. How well they got along and how she was truly disappointed that seeing him on Friday wasn’t going to happen. The other part was the disbelief that she had a kinda boyfriend to miss at all. “Well, do you want to hang out when you get back?”

“For sure. And that way I can give you something back.”

“What’s that?”

“Housekeeping found a Sailor Moon shirt under the bed. Plus my assistant still has your makeup bag from the night at the W.”