Free When You Were Mine (Adams Sisters) by Adrianne Byrd Page A

“That man is still hot.”  She cleared her throat.  “They call me Mr. Tibbs.”  She giggled at her bad impersonation.
                  “Is that tomorrow?” His heart dropped¾not because he had to attend the roast, but because he had to escort his housekeeper’s permanently inebriated cousin.
                  “Oh, don’t worry.” Guadalupe patted his arm.  “She promised to be on her best behavior.”
                  Ryan’s brain assessed the excuse file; but before he could rattle one of them off, she waved a finger at him. 
                  “No excuses.”  Her eyes flashed.  “You said if you were in town and weren’t dating anyone, you would take her.  So, you’ll take her.”
                  He clenched his teeth and forced on a smile.  “I didn’t say anything.”
                  “Good.  It’s settled.”  She patted his arm again and turned.  “Besides, you need a wife.”
                  “I said I would take her out.  Not marry her.”
                  “One can lead to the other,” she sang happily.  “You’re having French toast this morning.”
                  Ryan ripped opened his FedEx package and withdrew an airline ticket.  When he read the date, relief bubbled within him.  “Aw.  Sorry, Guadalupe, but it looks like there’s been a change of plans.”
                  She faced him as her eyes narrowed.  “What sort of change?”
                  “Film production is starting early.”  He held up his ticket.  “I leave for Milan first thing in the morning.”               
    #
                  Silence entombed Michael’s car as the sisters rode back to Joey’s apartment.  Gone was any taste of revenge from last night shenanigans.  Only despair and loss resided in Joey’s heart now.
                  “I’m going to write a new screenplay,” Joey announced.  “Artists create their best work during depression--Hemmingway, Picasso, Beethoven.”
                  “None of those were screenwriters.”
                  “Hell, have you seen the crap that’s been coming out in the theaters lately?   They’re all products of Prozac and Zoloft cocktails.”
                  “If you feel that way about it, why don’t you get out of the biz and just do The Great American Novel or something?  You’ve been at this screenwriting thing for years.”
                  Joey shrugged and stared gloomily out of the window.  “That’s not such a bad idea.”  Her thoughts traveled back to Ryan Donovan.  Was he really interested in reading some of her work...or was it just another Hollywood line?
                  Minutes later Michael pulled to a stop outside Joey’s apartment.  “Here you are, kid.”  She turned in her seat.  “Why don’t we keep what happened last night between us?”
                  “Mum’s the word.”  Joey laughed and opened the car door.  “You know, we never did finish our last conversation.”
                  Her sister feigned ignorance, but Joey saw through the charade.  “Well, when you’re ready to talk...”
                  “Misery loves company?”
                  “Something like that.”
                  Michael nodded.  “I’ll get back to you on that.”
                  Joey hesitated and then cocked her head.  “Is that a promise?”
                  “Yeah.”  Michael’s thin smile looked more like a flat line.  “It’s a promise.”
                  Joey nodded though she remained dubious as she climbed out of the car.  The moment she closed the door, Michael pulled away.  After the car faded from view, Joey turned toward her apartment.  It was no wonder why Michael