I leaned back into him, soaking up his warmth and encouragement. He’d shown me the sets he’d designed for his visual effects studio on his computer. I’d oohed and aahed in amazement that I was going to get to use the studio for the cost of utilities and his assistants. I’d tried to pay him in some way multiple times, but he’d winked and carried me to bed.

  “Ready,” I said.

  The lights flicked on, and the LED screen projected back the landscape of Forsyth Park. My heart hammered. It looked just like we were in the park, only a few miles away. As if I could reach out and touch it. I’d seen the system used to make Academy, but that had been a Faerie world. It hadn’t been real. This felt … even more incredible because I couldn’t tell the difference.

  “You’re brilliant.”

  “Thanks. I know.”

  I pushed him, and he just laughed.

  “Don’t get cocky.”

  He nipped at my ear. “You like me that way.”

  “In the bedroom.”

  He snorted. “Fair. Are you ready for your first scene, Director?”

  I got ecstatic at that word. “I’m fucking ready.”

  I’d been in hair and makeup all morning, re-creating my mother’s infamous ’80s hair. The wild curls with more volume than I’d thought was possible. I was in a simple dress that set off my eyes and layers of makeup. And I was ready.

  I stepped into the room for my directorial debut. A clapperboard cracked in front of me.

  “Montgomery House. Scene one. Take one.”

  And then I was walking forward through Forsyth Park, taking the short trek to Abercorn and getting my first look at Edward’s family’s historical home—Montgomery House. I’d have a voice-over speaking during this opening scene. But for now, it was just me wandering through Savannah and staring up at the house that had haunted me.

  “Cut,” I called and turned around. “How’d it go?”

  I dashed back over to look at the film and watched that momentous first walk, giddy with anticipation. Tears came to my eyes all over again. It was really happening. Really, really happening.

  I shot Maddox a thumbs-up, and he nodded his head. I glanced over and found my dad, of all people, walking into the room. And standing next to him was my mom.

  My eyes rounded, and I jumped out of the director’s seat and straight for them. “Hey, this is a surprise!”

  “I didn’t want to miss your first big day,” Mom said.

  “And I … read the journal you left at my house,” Dad said.

  “Really?”

  “So, I called Rebecca to ask if she wouldn’t mind if I came over to discuss it with her. And she invited me to the set.”

  I looked between my parents. “You went over to Montgomery House?”

  “Well, I didn’t go inside,” Dad admitted. “Haven’t wanted to be in that house in a couple decades.” He laughed, brushing it off. “But it was good to talk to your mom here.”

  My mom’s eyes were only for my dad. After all this time, did she still love him? They hadn’t spoken since my college graduation. I was sure it had been longer than that since they’d said a civil word to one another. My movie was doing more good than I’d even known possible.

  “I’m glad you’re both here. I love to see you two in the same place. Dad, you’re free to come down anytime. Maddox and I have a guest bedroom too, you know?”

  “Sure, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek.

  “We didn’t mean to interfere,” Mom said.

  My dad finally took in what I was wearing. His jaw dropped, and he glanced at my mom. “Is that the dress?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it was mine.”

  I ran my hand down the front of it, feeling like I was living in a dream. My parents talking. My parents smiling. My parents … united.

  “What’s important about this one? I picked it because it was the plainest.”

  “Your mom was wearing that the day we met,” my dad admitted. “I still remember what you looked like that day.”

  My mom blushed. My mother, the indomitable Rebecca Charlotte Montgomery, blushed.

  “I don’t quite look like that anymore,” she said with a laugh.

  My dad tilted his head. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

  And my mom giggled. As if she were that schoolgirl all over again. As if it were 1988 and she was meeting Charlie for the first time.

  I bit my lip and tried not to giggle too. “Well, I should get back. I need to do another take or two. Make yourselves comfortable.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart.” My dad kissed my cheek.

  Mom waved, and then they headed to seats to watch.

  Maddox arched an eyebrow at me. “What was that about?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” I admitted. “But … all good things.”

  “They deserve it.”

  “So do we,” I said and then kissed him.

  “That’s a wrap!” I called a few short weeks later.

  Everyone cheered noisily, jumping up and down and dancing in circles.

  We’d worked day and night on Montgomery House. I’d be up before the sun for hair and makeup and stay long past midnight, going over the footage for the day. Maddox had to be in LA for another movie soon, and we’d tried to rush to meet his deadline. We’d still have to take weeks in post-production, but at least we’d gotten through with everything we needed for the studio. And all the scenes we needed were now officially on film.

  In lieu of a fancy party on River Street, my mom had invited everyone over to the real Montgomery House for an ’80s-themed party. A few hours after we wrapped up, the entire cast and crew showed up, dressed in ’80s digs. They marveled at the real house that had inspired the movie. After a few drinks, people ditched their ’80s outfits for swimsuits, splashing in the pool and singing boisterously to the ’80s music my mom had insisted we listen to.

  But what was most shocking was my dad showing up in a full ’80s getup, complete with a mullet.

  “Dad, you didn’t!” I gasped.

  He laughed. “I never had one in the ’80s. I thought, why not?”

  “It’s truly terrible, Charlie,” my mom said. She fluffed the shorter strands. “You didn’t quite get the front to stick up enough.”

  “Mom!”

  She grinned at me. “What? We found them incredibly attractive at the time, Josephine.”

  “Did you have eyes?”

  My dad winked at me. “Business in the front. Party in the back.”

  “Maddox, if you ever …”

  He held his hands up. “I would never think about it.”

  “How does it feel to be finished with filming?” Dad asked.

  “Amazing. It feels like the best thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.”

  “We can’t wait to see it. Can we, Charlie?”

  Maddox and I shared a look. Dad had been coming in a lot more often to watch filming. He hadn’t said anything about what was happening between him and Mom, but I could guess what I thought was happening. Especially considering he’d used the guest bedroom at our house twice and then not stayed there since. But I wasn’t going to pressure them to say more about what was going on before they were ready. It had taken them thirty years to get back to a place where they didn’t hate each other. I was excited that they could be in the same room. That Dad could ever be in Edward’s old house after everything that had happened.

  “Mom,” I said softly, “did you ever think of selling Montgomery House?”

  “No,” she said decisively.

  “Why not? It has so many bad memories.”

  “Because then Edward would have won.” She nodded once. “The house is mine. I earned it.”

  Rebecca Charlotte Montgomery surveyed the house that had been her undoing. The house that had shaped her entire life. The house she lived in alone with the weight of her bad reputation on her shoulders. And she smiled.

  I’d written, directed, and acted in a movie about this very house, and I’d never really understood what had kept my mom here until this moment. The house was just a house. The memories were in the past. No one was going to run her out of this town. She deserved to be here. And anyone who said otherwise didn’t matter.

  The Montgomery House had haunted me long enough.

  Now, it was just home.

  31

  SAVANNAH

  PRESENT

  I’d been here before.

  Standing behind a cinema screen with the biggest project of my life. The last time, I’d been all nerves. Something had been missing from the film, but I hadn’t had enough experience to know what it was at the time. I had given up on that dream for so long and washed my hands of that day.

  Now, I was here again. The nerves were still there, but certainly not the same ones. Montgomery House was perfect. Or as perfect as I could get it. If no one else liked it, then I’d done my very best, and I knew it for the masterpiece it was. I was confident in the movie and what Maddox and I had accomplished together.

  Because this was as much his triumph as it was mine. I was certain that I never could have done what I’d done with him. Together, we were a formidable team.

  “This looks good on you,” Maddox said, sliding a hand down my hip.

  “The dress that Amelia made for me?”

  “Confidence.”

  I grinned back at him. “It’s the best that I can do. I love the movie. I cry every time I watch it. No matter how many times I watch it. I even saw you shed a tear.”

  He brought my mouth up to his. “It’s perfectly you, Jos.”

  “Thank you for all your help.”

  “It was fun.”

  And he was right. It had been fun. Even in the stressful months when we’d had to flit between Savannah and LA while he was working on the next superhero film. Even in the hours of post-production when I had been certain we’d have to do reshoots. Even through the tears that it wouldn’t come together, I would always rather be working on it than anything else. Working for myself than another director.

  I’d made a speech before the showing of Montgomery House. It was the only showing there would be since I’d sent it out to all the major film festivals—Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Venice, and so many more. I couldn’t officially premiere it before I was accepted, but all of my friends had wanted to see it. So, I’d rented out Trustees Theater for the night—the same exact theater where my first film had premiered at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival a decade earlier—and invited all of my friends in to see it.

  No red carpet.

  No celebrities.

  Nothing special.

  Just me with a microphone, thanking everyone for coming and welcoming them to my favorite movie, based on a true story—Montgomery House.

  My mom and dad were in the first row, holding hands. They hadn’t made anything official, but I had a feeling it was only a matter of time. Lila and Cole sat next to Derek and Marley. Amelia was a row behind them with her cousin Marina. No Ash Talmadge in sight. My SCAD film advisor was in the audience. Martin was there with his latest girlfriend. Iris and the rest of the cast and crew, who had come into Savannah for the showing, took up the back half of the audience. All of my favorite people in one place.

  The credits rolled, and to my utter shock, every single person in the stadium got to their feet and applauded. My hand went to my mouth at the standing ovation. Tears in my eyes.

  Maddox gave me a little shove. “Go on. Accept everything you deserve.”

  I laughed and stumbled forward. The cheers only got louder when I appeared. Maddox jogged out a microphone to me.

  “Thank you. Thank you so much. I couldn’t be happier that each and every one of you was in attendance for the first official viewing of Montgomery House. We’re still waiting to hear about any of the film festivals and a possible theatrical release, but I wanted all of you to see it first. Special shout-out to my mother, Rebecca Montgomery, who the script is based off. And all the cast and crew, who put their hearts and souls into it. Especially my boyfriend, Maddox Nelson, who, without his genius, this never would have been possible.”

  I gestured offstage and waved for him to come out. He hated the spotlight, but he walked out with all the confidence that I knew him capable of. He waved at our friends and family as they cheered me on, and together, we took a small bow.

  Maddox took the microphone from me and stepped back. “Ladies and gentlemen, Josephine Reynolds!”

  The crowd went wild at my introduction. I bowed again, thanking them all profusely.

  When the room finally cleared, it was just my friends and family backstage. I hugged them all and agreed to go out on River Street with them to celebrate.

  “Mom? Dad? You in?” I asked.

  They laughed and shook their heads.

  “All you, sweetheart,” Dad said, kissing my cheek.

  “We’re going to call it an early night,” Mom said with a wink.

  “Ew, I’m still your daughter,” I said but couldn’t help laughing.

  “We love you.”

  “I love you too. Both of you.”

  My mother was still the ridiculous, over-the-top woman she’d always been. But when she looked at my dad, she was just a girl again. And the feeling seemed to be mutual. I was happy for them.

  We waved good-bye and then grabbed jackets and trekked down the cobblestone streets toward River Street. Our friends headed into the nearest bar, but Maddox tugged me away. I laughed but jogged across the street to lean against the railing and look out at the paddleboat coming in.

  “Do you remember our first time at this spot?”

  “It was our first kiss,” I said automatically. “A perfect first kiss.”

  “It was. I was hoping to steal another one tonight.”

  “I do believe you’ve earned a kiss tonight,” I said with a mischievous look on my face. “Maybe more than a kiss.”

  “You read my mind,” he said.

  Then, he removed a box from his jacket. My mouth dropped open as he fell to one knee before me in the exact spot where we’d had our first kiss all those years ago. He opened the box, and inside was a glittering diamond ring that I recognized all too well—Gran’s ring.

  “Josie Reynolds, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  “Maddox, oh my God, yes! Yes, yes, yes!”

  He rose to his feet and plucked the ring out of the box. When he slid it into place, it fit perfectly.

  “It’s Gran’s,” I said, a sob getting caught in my throat.

  “She gave it to me before she went into the hospital,” he admitted. “Said that I would know who it belonged to. It was always meant for you.”

  “I love you so much,” I said, crushing our lips together.

  “I love you too. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Forever,” I agreed easily. “You’re never going to find anyone else to make those biscuits how you like them.”

  He laughed. “That is a bonus, to be sure. But it’s just your incredible, brilliant self that made me fall for you.”

  “Brilliant,” I said with a laugh.

  He cupped my face in his hands. “You, Josie, are brilliant. That movie was brilliant. Everything you do is brilliant. I’m going to say it every day for the rest of our lives.”

  I kissed him again, slow and languid. “I find that acceptable.”

  “Hey! Are y’all coming?” Marley called across the street.

  Lila was waving from the doorway.

  I held up my left hand. “I’m engaged!”

  They both screamed and ran straight into traffic. We all laughed as they nearly got hit by a car while crossing the street to get a look at my ring. They gushed over it for a few minutes, congratulating the both of us and then dragging us into the bar for rounds of celebratory drinks.

  My eyes drifted to Maddox’s, and he reached for me. Our hands slid together, finding each other, as we always had so often in the past.

  He pressed a kiss to my ring. “Mine,” he whispered.

  I’d been his for a long time. And now, I’d be his forever.

  EPILOGUE

  CANNES

  Next Year

  The French Riviera was every inch as beautiful as I remembered it being, but twice as beautiful because of the reason we were here..

  “So, how does it feel?” Maddox asked as we strolled hand in hand down the boardwalk.

  “Like a fairy tale.”

  “And yet it is your reality.”

  “Still hard to believe. I mean, we’re in Cannes, and I still can’t believe the movie is in the Cannes Film Festival,” I said, gesturing to the glamorous coastal city surrounding us.

  When I’d gotten the call that I was accepted into Cannes, I’d cried like a baby. I sat on the floor in the master bedroom and sobbed incoherently until Maddox threatened to take me to a hospital. When I’d told him the truth, he’d picked me up off of the floor and twirled me around until I was laughing instead of crying.

  I’d gotten into Sundance too. And Toronto. And Berlin. And Venice. And a dozen other smaller festivals. I’d cried every time. All my dreams were coming true, and a year earlier, it had sounded impossible.

  My film wouldn’t premiere for another hour, but there were already rumors that I might sweep the first-time film award. I was giddy and terrified at the idea. I’d find out at the end of the festival if I won, but it didn’t even matter. Just being chosen as a feature film for the festival was life-changing.

  “I’m proud of you, you know?” Maddox said.

  “I’m proud of myself.”

  “That’s what matters. You went after what you wanted, and look at how the universe manifested for you. It’s been incredible to witness.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Just glad to be along for the ride.”

  “You have Oscars, and you’re just along for the ride.”

  He laughed. “Well, maybe you’ll have one too.”

  “Then, I’d just need a Tony and a Grammy, and I’d be an EGOT.”

  Maddox shot me a skeptical look as we headed back up to street level. “Can you even sing?”

 

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