Page 109 of Where There's Smoke
“Yeah, I hear that.” I chewed my lip. “You sure you’re all right? You sound a little…I don’t know…”
Like you’ve taken something. Or you’re sick. Or you’re about to pass out.
“I’m fine, Jess. Just tired. You know how it is.”
“Yeah, I know, but…”
“I’m just tired,” she said. “I didn’t realize you were as tiring to promote as a film.”
I smiled to myself. Well, at least her sense of humor was intact. That was always a good sign.
“Relax,” she said with a soft, unenthusiastic laugh. “You worry too much.”
“Yeah, probably, but…” I held my breath for a moment, my mind flashing back to that conversation I’d had with Ranya the night Anthony had dinner with Slade. “Listen, can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
I closed my eyes. “I know we’ve talked about this, but I need you to be honest with me. Please.”
“Okay…”
“Everything with Anthony,” I said, barely whispering, “is it—”
“Jesse.” Her voice was suddenly doubly heavy with exhaustion. “Please. I’ve told you. I’mfinewith it. I practically threw you at him, remember?”
“I know, but…” I sighed. “You’ve said you’re okay with it, but I’m still concerned it’s not. I know this whole situation isn’t easy for you, and I don’t want to make it worse.”
Simone forced out a breath. I couldn’t decide if she sounded tired, frustrated, or annoyed. Maybe all three. “Can we talk about this the next time we see each other? I’m beat, Jess. I really don’t want to discuss this now.”
I rubbed my forehead with two fingers. Why did I expect this conversation to proceed any differently than it had the last half-dozen times I’d attempted it in the last week? No idea. I shouldn’t have been surprised, and I supposed I wasn’t. Tired of beating my head against a wall, if nothing else.
I forced my frustration out of my voice. “Sure, we can talk later. How did today go?”
“Good,” she said. “It’s just heartbreaking, though, touring a place like that.”
“Where were you today again?”
“Touring a homeless shelter. I can see why people are trying to get places like that on your radar. The facility needs almost as much help as the people in it.”
“I can imagine,” I said. “I’m supposed to visit a few myself pretty soon.”
“Well, brace yourself. It’s eye-opening.” She paused. “Anyway, I should go. I have that dinner tonight with that environmental group.”
“You sure you’re up for it?”
She laughed softly. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a dinner.”
“I know, but I hate seeing you run yourself ragged.”
“It’s an election. Nature of the beast.”
“Yeah, but you sound exhausted.”
“Of course I am.”
“But are you—”
“Stop worrying about me,” she said, her voice firm. “I’ll be fine. What are you up to tonight? Your schedule looked pretty clear until tomorrow afternoon.”