Page 43 of Love: Take Two

"You're right. This is a non-issue. I'll drop it."

"Sounds good," he replies, then promptly disconnects the call.

What a dick.I guess I interrupted his work, but it's been ages since I called an emergency twin talk. It wasn't so long ago that he needed my help when he was wooing Camila. Not that I intend to woo Awa…

My phone buzzing interrupts my racing thoughts.

"Noah Park speaking."

"I know who it is," Mom chides. "I called you, remember?"

"Sorry," I say with a smile. Just hearing Mom's voice releases the knot I felt forming between my shoulder blades. "I didn't check the ID before picking up. What's up?"

"What's up? Can't I just call to talk to my favorite son?"

"Mom." I shake my head. "I know you say that to all of us."

She giggles, then breaks into a coughing fit. I'm immediately back on edge.

"Is everything OK, Mom? You're not taking on too much with the wedding, are you?"

She has to clear her throat several more times before she can answer.

"Nonsense," she insists. "Henry and Camila are having a courthouse wedding. There's not really much to plan."

The words are light, but I can hear the undercurrent of hurt. Maya let Mom be pretty involved in her wedding when it was Adam's turn. Now Mom's eldest is getting married, and she feels like she's on the sidelines.

I sympathize, but I also get where Henry and Camila are coming from. This is the only time they could get in front of the judge they want to marry them, and despite the recent holiday break, they're taking a generous six weeks off for their honeymoon. Henry said it's partially to make up for going years without a decent vacation.

Together, they decided they'd rather cram in as much work as possible before they leave than get overloaded with a big venue, hotels, and fancy table settings. They are having a small reception, though.

"You really did just call to check in?" I ask, skeptical.

"Well," she hedges, and I chuckle.

"So what is it? I don't mean to rush you, but I should get back to set."

"OK," she says, her mood brightening. "I was wondering if you could get me an autograph from Tabitha Styles. I loved her in 'Two Truths, One Bullet', and it would really make me look good at book club next month."

"Of course," I smile. "I'll try to get it by the end of the week."

She's understandably disappointed when I tell her I have to skip yet another family dinner. I haven't missed this manysince I was interning in California, but it feels necessary. Working from set is fine in theory, but the optics of my empty office aren't great. To balance it out, I've been putting in extra hours at events on nights and weekends. You never know where you'll get a lead on a secret casting call or a closed audition.

Five more minutes of pleasantries and mild, motherly guilt later, and we say our goodbyes. I walk back to my makeshift desk, my earlier "issue" now long gone.

For Tabitha's autograph, I should probably go through Awa; I don't want to step on any toes. Then again, after what happened earlier, it might be safer to request the autograph in writing. That way no sexy but prickly attorneys think I'm angling for a date. Perhaps an email?

I stop a few yards short of the video village.Shit.

With all the recent craziness, I completely forgot to email Awa about Camila. My head might be a mess, but I can at least facilitate a connection between two badass lawyers. I've seen Camila's talent firsthand, and once she gets a few clients under her belt, it's only a matter of time before she's in Awa's league. She can consider this a bonus wedding gift on top of the juicer I already got from her registry.

Mind made up, I open my phone to kill two birds with one stone.

Chapter twenty-three

Awa

"And cut!" Edward shouts. "That's a wrap on the strip poker scene, everyone!" He claps in congratulations, and while most let out enthusiastic whoops or join in the applause, I can't contain my sigh of relief.