asionally, they''d grasp a piece of hay in their hands, yfully challenging each other to see whose straw could withstand the most tension before snapping-a silly little game, yet they were wholly engrossed in it,ughter echoing in the air. Stephanie watched from a short distance, her face a coge of amusement and bewilderment.


    "Don''t bother them," Emmert advised her gently, a knowing smile creasing his face. "Happiness for these kids is found in the simplest of joys."


    Stephanie just shook her head and sighed, gazing up at the vast expanse of blue sky above.


    As dusk settled in, wrapping up a sessful day of shooting, Stephanie, now free of makeup and costume, dialed Sebastian.


    She was perplexed; thest time they''d parted, everything seemed fine between them. But now, just a couple of dayster, Sebastian''s icy demeanor left her utterly confused.


    "Hey Silver Fox, can you swing by and pick me up?" she asked.


    "No can do."


    "Are you swamped with work? Workingte again?" she probed, recalling that overtime wasn''t typically his thing.


    "Yeah."


    His curt responses were unlike him. Was he really that busy?


    Stephanie tried a different angle. "Oh, alright then. I was just thinking, since Gracie''s pregnant, that''s big news, and I figured we should swing by and check on her together. But since you''re tied up, I guess I''ll just take Emily and go." "Why should I have to visit her with you just because she''s pregnant?" Sebastian''s voice held a note of irritation.


    "Because it''s a big deal! It''s the kind of news that brings families together. I mean, my mom''s out of the picture since she''s not close with Gracie, but you and Gracie go way back. It would show we care, you know?" "We?" Sebastian''s voice was tinged with sarcasm. "Who''s ''we''?"


    "You and me, of course!" Stephanie replied, utterly baffled by Sebastian''s strange behavior.


    "With me? Is that so? Since we''re ''family,'' I guess there''s no need to inform me about scandals or to offer any exnations. Tell me, Stephanie, do you really consider me family?"


    Stephanie''s confusion deepened. "What? Have I been caught up in a scandal again? I don''t recall. You already know about the car ident, right?"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Do you think so?"


    "Is that what you''re upset about?"


    "I''m not angry."


    "Yes, you are!"


    Sebastian was speechless."If there''s something bothering you, just tell me. I didn''t bring up the ident because I had been drinking and I felt guilty promised I wouldn''t drink when you''re not around. But it was Mr. Finnegan''s birthday, everyone was having a good time, so thad a few drinks. I didn''t want to upset you. Besides, it''s not like you''re entirely meless. I nearly had an ident and you never even called to check on me! If I hadn''t called you, would you have just cut off all contact?"


    "Stephanie. So now you''re making mistakes and still standing your ground?" His tone was incredulous.


    "I stand by it. And for the record, I haven''t stirred up any


    scandals


    I


    Sebastian thought, "So should I apologize to you?"


    "So, are youing to pick me up and go visit Gracie with me, or not?"


    "I''m noting."


    "Fine, then don''t bother."


    With that, Stephanie ended the call, her frustration evident in the sharp click of the disconnect.