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Did she really only contact hi froet out of LA for a while”

“Any idea where? The resort in Mexico? Or the chateau in France? I hear the new Barcelona property is inspiring”

“None of the above I’ood this time of year in Aspen”

“Funny, Dad I know that”

“I know you don’t needme?”

“I need to borrow the Citation”

Silence

Ava blurted, “Please? The paparazzi are everywhere They don’t have access to the private air strip so I truly can just disappear”

Puff, puff “How soon would you need to leave?”

“First thing toure out a way to slip the tabloid guys who are determined to be the first to report my suicide”

Her father chuckled “People are idiots if they believe you’re still despondent over that cocksucker Jake”

“I’ curiosity”

“You really doing okay, Ava Rose?” he asked gruffly “You’ve been awful da her phone to her other ear, Ava rested her elbows on the railing “The last thing I wanted was you guys getting swairl, that’s what faether and flips the world the bird I’ll reh a shit storher than you give us credit” Puff, puff “Far as I know, your e it”

“Thanks, Dad”

“Keep in contact You’re a big girl and all that, but orry, okay?”

Guilt swa her family out was only partially true They’d never understood her pursuit of a show business career, and when she failed so publicly in that career and her personal life, she felt like an embarrassment and a disappointment “Okay Love you”

“Love you too Be safe, be well and—”

“Give ’e up

“I love the Dumond family motto,” a dry, female voice intoned behind her

Ava turned toward Hannah, her friend/personal assistant/gal Friday “Hey, Han I didn’t know you were here”

“I gathered that Nohat’s this bullshit plan about you hiding out in soodforsaken Western state?”

“Not like it’ll be per?”

“I don’t know”