“Jeez.” He dug his hand into his hair. “Well, yeah. You got me... The girl got back in touch and told me she was having a baby. Ess and I were still very much together and I hated myself. I decided to keep it from her, not my greatest idea. I told the girl I’d support her, but asked her to keep quiet...”

“I’m sorry,” Liv said. And she was. For both Hank and Essie.

“This stuff’s been eating me up for years. It feels good to speak to someone Ess trusts,” Hank said. “Some journo found out the girl was pregnant and tried blackmailing me. I denied it, tried to brazen it out. Except the same hack was at the Constellation after-party and he told Ess before I did.

“It was her chance to shine, rewrite history for that date, and I ruined it. I humiliated her. She refused to come back to LA with me, left all her stuff behind in our home. Wouldn’t even talk to our friends anymore. I ended up paying off the journo so nothing came out.”

Liv winced. She imagined Essie’s devastation at her husband cheating and fathering a baby behind her back. But was it enough for the author to hide herself away for ten years afterward? “What happened then?” she said.

“I tried to do the right thing. Ess got a quickie divorce and I married the girl before our son was born. We said he’d arrived prematurely, to avoid embarrassment for Ess. I was a real mess over losing her for a long time, even checked myself into rehab. My wife’s been real patient with me.”

“And you’re happy?” Liv said. She really wanted him to say yes. He’d made a terrible mistake and regretted it for a decade. She could see he loved Essie.

“I love being a dad. Only wish it had happened in a different way, wish I hadn’t been so weak.”

They sat still together while bodies jiggled on the dance floor. Lots of people eyed Hank and he didn’t notice.

“There’s a journalist snooping around, wanting to write a story about Essie,” Liv said. “I’ve suggested she write about Georgia Rory instead. I think a quote or two from you might seal the deal.”

“A journo? Jeez... I hate ’em.” Hank’s lips twisted. He slugged his whiskey. “Will it help Ess?”

“Yes, and me, too.”

“Sure. I love Ess. Always did, always will. I just happened to be stupid that one night.” He took a business card from his pocket and passed it to Liv. “Put the words in my mouth, whatever you need. Send them my way to approve.”

After draining his glass, Hank leaned in so close Liv felt the front of his hair brush hers. He looked deeply into her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, as if he was speaking to Essie. “Forgive me, doll.”