"It must have been tough for you, Franz," Nate said as Franz finished his drink. "I am surprised you have not left the showbiz industry yet."
Franz set the glass down near the edge of the table and leaned back. The lighting in the private room was warm, the shadows along the walls low and unhurried.
"I almost did. I considered breaking my contracts and stepping away entirely."
"So what changed?"
Franz let a smile show. "I married Arianne. It is hard to imagine how our lives would be now if she had not come into them."
The three men exchanged glances. He thought he was hiding how much he cared. But something came through. Not weakness. Just truth. They saw it — the change in his voice, the way his shoulders settled when he said her name. And for reasons he did not yet understand, they did not hold it against him.
"I remain disappointed that none of us were invited to your wedding," Nate said. "Why were only Gil and Samantha there?"
