Talk about putting my foot in it—and not just a dainty little foot. No, more like a giant elephant foot.

“I can’t believe you did your homework.”

I don’t like eating humble pie, but then again, I’m not one to shy away from admitting being wrong. And maybe I was wrong about Todd.

Todd just shrugs.

“I didn’t do any research on you.”

I feel the need to be honest. He was honest with me; it is only fair I extend him the same courtesy.

“I haven’t even watched any of your films.”

No point in lying about this.

To my surprise, he laughs.

“I’m sure, you thought the media footage of me lately was all you needed to know.”

Right now, a tomato wouldn’t be as red as I am. I chew my bottom lip. Suddenly, I feel about as small as a snail—no, probably smaller.

“Well,” I try and think of something to say that is remotely polite. Alice’s words come back to me. What had she said, something about listening to his side of the story?

“So,” I start and play with the gold pendant around my neck. “What did actually happen at the restaurant?”

Todd sighs.

“If I tell you what you saw on the news was not the whole story, you’ll think I’m bullshitting you.”

I shake my head.

“No. No, I won’t.” I stop. It’s true; I know there’s always more to these sensational stories than meet the eye. I should know, they often do not tell the whole story.

“Please tell me what happened.”

I’ve gone to sit on his lounge. Since I’m in bare feet, I slide my legs under me. Todd comes to sit next to me. My breathing increases ever so slightly.

“The man was actually at the restaurant with a woman,” starts Todd. “I’m not sure if she was his wife. But there they were, enjoying a meal, when suddenly, he picked up his glass and threw the water into the face of the woman.”

I suck in my breath. How awful. I can picture the scene vividly.

“The water is dripping off the woman’s face and onto her lap. But he does not stop there. He stands up, leans on the table, and proceeds to yell at the top of his lungs at this poor woman, who looked like a drowning poodle. Eventually, I think she could stand it no longer and stood to leave. At about this time, I had enough too and confronted the little weasel.”

I shake my head in disbelief.

“Why didn’t someone throw him out before you interfered,” the words are out before I can stop them.

“Sorry,” I mutter. It sounds as if I’m being critical and I don’t mean to be.

But he doesn’t seem to be offended by it.

“Good question,” Todd holds up his hands. “I heard someone say something about the little man being related to the owner. But hey, your guess is as good mine.”

I take a sip of my drink and shake my head.

“If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s men being aggressive toward women.” Todd pauses and stares at his hands. “I mean, if you don’t want to be with the woman, leave. It’s a free country.”

“I wonder why the press isolated the incident to make you look bad?”

Despite my better judgment, I find myself warming to Todd Alexander. I’m remarkably comfortable in his apartment, which is not over the top, as I was expecting.

“Goes with the bad boy image, I guess,” he offers a crooked smile and shrugs. Suddenly, he looks like a lost little boy and I resist the urge to rub my finger over his cheek and tell him things will be all right.

“It’s not fair though, is it?”

“But that’s life, and you get used to it. It never said anywhere it was going to be fair.”

My gaze finds one of the paintings. It draws me in. The colors are amazing. There are swirls of blues, purples and whites.

“I’m sorry about the way I’ve treated some of the crew, and about firing the hair stylist.”

Todd’s remorse pulls me out of my trance.

I turn toward him, although I would like to keep looking at the painting.

“It’s just,” he runs his own hands through his hair, as if searching for inspiration. “I don’t know how to explain it properly, but if you are too soft on people all the time, they don’t live up to their best.”

Silence.

I try not to move. I’m hanging on every word he has to say.

“We seem to live in a time where you’re not allowed to call black, black. We avoid conflicts. People don’t give their best because being ordinary, according to many, is being extraordinary. But I think if you ruffle feathers from time to time, and say it how it is, people will be better.”

I nod.

“I know what you mean.”

My parents both called a spade a spade, they never believed in praising where praise was not due. Todd might just have a point.

“What about you?”

The question throws me off.

“What about me?”

“You must have had your fair share of interesting times.”

I swirl my answers around my head, working out what and how much I’m going to tell him.

“It’s hard being a Palmer, that’s for sure.” I start and see him relax into the couch next to me.

“I got big boots to fill.” I continue. “Everyone expects me to follow in dad’s footsteps, and since he’s one of the greats,” I hold out my hands, “it’s expected I will do well too, if not great. My destiny is decided before I can create it.” I shake my head.

Speaking about it makes me realize how much pressure there is.

“That’s why it’s important to me for this film to be a success.” I pause again. “I don’t think it’s so much about showing other people, it’s more about proving to dad I can be great.”

“Pays to have a thick skin in this industry,” says Todd and smiles at me.

I sigh.

“I guess so.”

“And to have a thick skin, you have to act like you have one.”

I raise an eyebrow in question.

“Well, fake it, ‘til you make it. The media portrays me like I don’t give a fuck, and I don’t, most of the time.” He laughs at himself and I join in.

“This is great. You know I’ve never told anyone else so much about me before, other than Jordan of course. You’ve got ammunition now, Ms. Palmer.”

His forefinger touches the tip of my nose.

I shake my head and find my nerve endings are tingling.

I may have misjudged Todd Alexander.