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"And then some…” Lopez laughs. "It’s just about all anyone at the festival is talking about! First, it was the four-minute applause and then the crazy Q&A after. Charlie had to go back to Los Angeles, but she only had questions about you, and that created a buzz, and then people found out why you got arrested, and that created more buzz, and then the story from what? Five years ago? That created evenmorebuzz, and people are saying this is the greatest work of all time. Everyone is buzzing around like busy little honeybees."
"It’s true," adds Teal. "The books are flying off the shelves, and we are going to need a second printing sooner than we expected. This is literally the best thing that could have ever happened. And all the big streaming services have been calling asking if they can buy the show. There’s already a bidding war, and I’ve not given any indication of whether we are selling or not or what our next moves are. But, hey, you will not go bankrupt, so that’s good news, right?"
"There has to be a downside to all of this," I say.
I think it all through, considering every aspect, but I come up with nothing. My past baggage has been removed. Jessica is safe, and I will ensure it stays that way. The woman I love is here with our unborn child. We might have the greatest TV show of all time, and Sundance is abuzz with talk about us. It is all great!
"How areyoufeeling?" I ask Teal.
She looks up at me with a half smile. "You spend two days in prison and ask how I feel?"
"It was the police station. It might have been a lot different if I had been in jail. I sat in a room by myself for forty-eight hours. It allowed me to relax and meditate after everything we have been through. Honestly, it felt like a mini-vacation from my mind."
"That sounds nice," says Teal. "I could do with a vacation after all this."
"I have been thinking about that too. It was nice to spend so much time with you on the ride down here, and we need to drive back up, but I want more. We don’t need to get back for any work-related activities, so let’s spend some time together."
"Yeah?" asks Teal with a big smile.
"Yeah! It will be great."
"So, where are we going to go? France? I’ve always wanted to go to France. What about the Dominican Republic?"
I hold her gaze until it comes to her.
"Right!" She places a hand on her head. "I can’t fly right now. So, maybe somewhere a little closer?"
"We should give the two of you some time," says Lopez. "I’ll take care of this mob."
"Wait, Lopez."
He stops and turns.
I address everyone. "We still need to celebrate. We are all here together, so let’s have one last party before we go our separate ways for a few days. There are a hundred bars in this town, and I am sure one will rent the place out to us. If there is space for those who came to the premiere, then let's get them in too. How does that sound?"
"You are a good man, Mr. McDonagh. I’ll take care of it,"Lopez says.
I smile at Teal. "It is nice to have a star who is not just an ego."
"He’s so nice," gushes Teal. "So, where are we going to go?"
"Well, we will start back toward Los Angeles tomorrow, but we can afford to take a little detour through Arizona. I have always heard that Sedona is beautiful. These red rock formations surround the town, and my lawyer assures me there are at least three or four spas. We can get massages and whatever other treatments you want then go for walks, have dinner, and just relax. How does that sound?"
"Perfect," says Teal.
SEDONA, ARIZONA
"Mmm, I could get used to this," I say.
My body is practically melting after two massages earlier, and they even have a special table with a large hole in the middle so I can lay down on my belly without crushing the baby. The bump pops in the hole as my face does, and I reap all the benefits of a professional laying her hands on my body.
Any stresses, worries, or tension I might have had in my body have been magically taken away.
"How was your day, my love?" I ask.
Logan looks up from the desk by the wall. "I know you wanted to go for massages together, but we have to lock in a deal for the show and get it out there. Tomorrow, I promise."
"Oh, honey. I don’t even care right now. You could do pretty much anything to me, and I wouldn’t be able to stop you. I’m so relaxed."
