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.

couldn't be ignored. Neither could his own

a really bad fever when I was little. When I woke up, everything

performed minimally invasive brain surgery on her, but he hadn't tried to fix her memory loss. He

you want to

he was in them too. The three of them had played together as children,

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

lost so much over the past seven years; her heart was nearly barren.

gave a faint smile. “Let's just leave it up to fate. Those memories were from

There wasn't much point.

a pang of

shortcuts. He'd have to

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

popcorn and soda in Jessica's hands, shot Yates a look, and snorted inwardly. Stealing

Meanwhile, in Riverside City-

It was still morning.

of the hospital and headed

Square was owned by The Bryant Group, with major locations in

boasted a Starlight Grand Theater, the top cinema

rode the elevator to

floor. When the doors opened and he saw what was happening in

he was using sign language, with a host beside him

together, working hard to promote the film, handing out gifts to

though they couldn't speak, not a trace