Tina blew a breath out in frustration. I had to miss a day’s vacation with Bette and the kids for this?!

True to what he’d said, he swam to her side again after a couple of laps. He rested his chest on the top of the pool, elbows out, after he wiped water off of his face. Tina sipped on the mint julep and eyed him coolly, relaxed against the chair.   He’d better not do this all morning long.

“I don’t want us to start a professional relationship or a friendship, even, with you trying to sell me on something, Tina. Particularly on something I’ve already told you I’m not interested in,” he said with a small smile after a beat. “I’m sure you’d prefer we start things on a more even or equal basis. I would if I were you.”

He rested his chin on his hands, grey-blue eyes regarding her silently. “And this is what I’m interested in: I think you’re ready to get out from under all that weight you’re laboring under in the studio, and climb up to the next echelon. Have your own outfit. Make the films you really want to make. Not just the ones William happens to like. You’ve paid your dues. Done the crappy stuff, holding your nose while doing so, probably. I’m sure it’s begun to cross your mind…”

“I thought you took this meeting to have a serious discussion,” Tina cut in before he could say more. “Had I known …”

“Oh, but we are having a serious discussion, Tina. You see I did a fair enough of research on you, made careful preparations, before agreeing to meet with you. Granted, I didn’t expect we’d meet here on an island paradise. I thought we’d be having this conversation the next time I was in New York. But I guess it’s fate that we both decided to take a few unscheduled days off here … you know, before all the old crowd from New York arrives … so, might as well talk now.”

“I’m confused…”

He nodded. “Let me explain.”

He splashed water on his face and then wiped it off. “I’ve talked privately with a large number of people who’ve worked with you. Directors, actors, writers, other producers, even companies who’ve agreed on product placements with your studio…”