Free Star Crossed by Rhonda Laurel Page A

they look and that self-confidence just adds an extra layer of handsome. And he’s very forthright about his penis.”
    Kate blushed. “You did an Internet search on him?”
    “Yes, I did. He’s an interesting man.”
    “And you know what? What you see is what you get. The things he hides are even better attributes than the superficial ones, but he doesn’t want anyone to know about those.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes.” Kate played with her napkin. “Mom, do you think I did the right thing? Kicking Jack out and divorcing him?”
    “He cheated on you. And unfortunately you both work in industries where personal lives are public information. I wanted to send one of your brothers out there the minute I heard about that crap. Or at the very least, I wanted to kick him in the nuts.”
    “Would someone else have tried to reconcile? Did I give up too easily?”
    “Kate, you know how I feel about things like that. Your first reaction is usually the most honest. You don’t have time to filter in being rational and compromising. I didn’t raise you to be a doormat. What was your first reaction?”
    “First I cried and drank too much whiskey. Then I woke up and said I don’t need this shit and shifted into neutral.”
    “That is how you were feeling. Don’t feel bad about going into survival mode.”
    “I knew I could have called you but I just wanted…” Kate sighed. “To figure it out for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I adore each and every overprotecting person in my life, but I’ve never really fully experienced life.”
    “You wanted to feel the pain.”
    “Yes. How else will I know that I never wanted to go through it again? Sure, Daddy or Billie could have shot him. What would that have accomplished? Revenge is instant gratification on steroids. That wouldn’t have ultimately helped me. He didn’t try to kill me or assault me.”
    “But he did betray you. That’s an emotional assault.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “So if he beat you physically, you’d leave. Why would you stay if he beat you emotionally?”
    “Exactly. Jack and I talked about his family life. His dad was a womanizer. So one could say I walked into it with eyes wide open.”
    “You know, I’ve always been skeptical about you moving to California. You’ve always been my little girl. I never thought you could function on your own. But I knew if you stayed you’d just find some man, like your father or one of your brothers, who would boss you around but in a nice way. That’s all you know. People butting into your life and making decisions for you. But I see that the California air has done wonders for your soul. You will be fine. And I have no right or inclination to tell you what to do.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    They ate and talked about everything—for the first time as two adults.
     
    * * *
     
    The days she spent hanging out with Billie and Dominic were fun, but in the evenings she missed Chris. He called her every night to see how she was doing. He’d begun shooting the movie and all seemed to be going well. The shoots were in Los Angeles for the most part, so he didn’t have to leave for the time being. He told her Jack was being the consummate professional. He was back in the good graces of his agent, Stan, who was calling about possible future projects.
    The first day on set Chris didn’t know what to expect. Apparently Marvin raised some hell, and it was inferred that everyone should be on their best behavior. Who would have guessed the answer to his problem lived right next door to Kate? His day went well, and although he caught Jack giving him the evil eye a few times, they both relented and did their jobs.
    One of the actresses kept chatting him up and would give him long looks when she thought he wasn’t watching. Audra Hewitt was a knockout and a great scene-stealer, but he wasn’t touching her with a ten-foot pole. Everyone on set knew the deal with him, Jack, and Kate. And everyone also saw Audra salivating over him as