“I saw you and my ex-wife arguing at the party. Can’t remember the last time I saw her actually look like she was about to lose it. I figured you pissed her off, and I thought it would be hilarious.”

“Don’t you have better things to do with your time?”

“Making sure my ex-wife is reminded of how serious I am is an important use of my time.” Tom paused. “Are you sure you don’t want to give me the extension? Have you mentioned our agreement to Anna? What do you think she’ll do when she finds out? She takes loyalty seriously.”

“You have seven days.”

Tom laughed. “You just might make it.”

John hung up the phone. In a week, it would be done. He would tell Anna after they returned to Los Angeles. Tom wouldn’t be able to package the movie in time; he was certain of that. He had never felt so relieved in his life. As soon as the seven days were up, everything would have sorted itself out, and he would come clean.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Anna set her pint glass on the counter of the empty hotel bar.

Satisfaction ran through her. It was done. She’d called the studio a few hours ago to let them know the principal photography was complete. Dan had been astonished into silence.

Anna and Jenny had cooked lasagna for everyone in the small hotel kitchen. The hotel owner and his wife looked relieved they wouldn’t have to feed the entire group again. Instead, they drank a bottle of wine at a small table in the corner.

Everyone, cast and crew, sat around the crowded table for the goodbye dinner. Derek had admitted that the role challenged him, but he was happy for the opportunity. He wanted to work with her again. Nicole hugged her. Sofia had made a hesitant request for a reference from Anna if she ever made it out to Los Angeles for a job. Matteo patted her on the back and congratulated her on the finished movie. She knew it was due to his professionalism and hard work that there was a picture at all. He promised he would look her up again if he was in Los Angeles, and he said he’d liked working with her. John was quiet at dinner, occasionally lost in thought. He was tired, she was sure. They all were.

The past two days, she and John had been polite and worked well together, ignoring everything else, too tired to do anything but fall into bed when the day’s shooting ended. Luckily, her photo scandal died down as soon as other, more salacious stories took over the entertainment outlets, and her interview had worked. She hadn’t received any more calls from reporters she’d thought had lost her number years ago.

Anna and Jenny shared a drink as they washed the dishes late into the night.