Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"I can write it. Back when the film was looking for a distributor, I already had my eye on it—it's got real breakout potential."

Yates' gaze was sharp and intense. When his eyes met Jessica's, she could feel the heat in them instantly.

She murmured a quiet thank you and looked away.

She knew about the childhood engagement-their families had arranged it long ago. She remembered they'd met as kids, but that was all; the rest was a blank. They hadn't really been in touch over the years. Yates had spoken up for her once at the Zimmerman family's birthday banquet, but that was about it.

To her, Yates was still a near-stranger.

Vince, on the other hand, she'd known for years.

After dinner, the three of them headed for the cinema.

Vince carried the film reel off to the projectionist, while Yates went to the counter and returned with a tub of popcorn and three sodas.

He handed Jessica the popcorn and one of the sodas. "Can't watch a movie without these."

"Thank you."

Another thank you. So polite. So distant.

Yates raised an eyebrow, just a little.

"You really don't remember anything from when we were kids?"

He'd kept silent for two days. It was time to do something he couldn't drag this out any longer.

be ignored. Neither could his

"I had a really bad fever when I was little. When I woke up, everything before that was

had once performed minimally invasive brain surgery on her, but he hadn't tried

you want to

hoped she would. Even if those old memories included Timothy, he was in them too. The three

could remember, maybe there'd be a little more closeness between them now. Maybe

seven years; her heart was nearly barren. She needed more love to fill the

just leave it up to fate. Those memories were from so long

There wasn't much point.

felt a pang

shortcuts. He'd have to start from

over. "Jessy, let's go. It's

in Jessica's hands, shot Yates a look, and snorted

Meanwhile, in Riverside City-

It was still morning.

the hospital and headed to Starlight

was owned by The Bryant Group, with major

Starlight Square boasted a Starlight Grand Theater, the

rode the

was happening in fron of the theater, he

language, with a host beside him

working hard to promote the film, handing out gifts to

a trace of self-doubt showed in