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Cassie gave me a one-armed hug. “No matter what happens, we’ll get through this. Now, let’s see how much Wendy is suffering.”
The more we looked, the worse it got. Maybe I was an awful person because it made me smile to hear her fans say, “Wendy is a vile, manipulative narcissist. She’s enemy number one, and she doesn’t know what the hell we’re going to rain down on her.”
But as happy as Wendy's demise made me, I kept looking at my nightstand drawer, where I kept my phone. It was turned off still, but I was tempted to turn it on and reach out to Nolan.
However, it was mere hours since the video had leaked. I needed to be sure Wendy couldn’t talk or charm her way out of this first. Only then could I see Nolan, tell him about her threats, and say how I truly felt.
Although waiting was pure hell. Everything I wanted was so, so close.
Chapter Forty
Katie
Two days later, things hadn’t improved for Wendy Webster.
Her former followers had made good on their threats. Post after post, video after video, they all shouted and cried and asked how they could’ve been duped for so long. Her term of “cretin” had become their new rallying cry, turned into a positive. Almost as if saying they were cretins was spitting in Wendy’s face.
Because of the posts and the negative PR, all of Wendy’s signed movie deals were canceled. The growing list of directors who refused to work with her grew. Her endorsement deals ended. She’d even deleted all of her social media accounts.
Apart from a few blurry paparazzi pictures, the woman had vanished.
Not only that, but thanks to the new scandal, my own had been forgotten already.
It was a relief, for sure. And yet, as I held my still powered-off phone in my hand, my heart raced and my palms sweated. I needed to call Nolan and see if he’d forgive me.
However, it was easier said than done. I was afraid he’d tell me to fuck off.
He wouldn’t do that.
Or so everyone said.
But it was time to stop being a coward. I powered on my phone and waited for it to load. The main screen had just appeared when the doorbell rang. Ignoring it, I opened my texts. It took forever to scroll to find Nolan’s. And as I read his pleas to contact him, my eyes heated with tears.
When I reached the most recent ones, from the night he told me he loved me, I had to reread them a few times:
Nolan: I meant it. I love you, baby. So much. And if I didn’t think you felt the same, I wouldn’t be bothering you now. But I saw the look in your eyes. When you’re ready, I’ll be here waiting for you.
Nolan: SHE is taken care of and should leave us alone. I’m here and ready to listen when you want to talk.
Nolan: I’m not sure if your phone is still off or if you want nothing to do with me. But no, I don’t believe that. We’ll talk soon, baby. I love you.
Nolan: PS—I found a beautiful shell on my beach, and I’ll save it for when I see you.
I kept reading the words, “I love you” over and over again. Yearning rushed forth. I wanted Nolan Wolfe as mine. I wanted him forever.
Then call him already.
Just as I hit Dial, Sam knocked and barged in. “Someone’s at the front door for you.”
“I’m busy.”
“I think you want to take this one.”
Nolan’s phone went to voicemail, and my stomach dropped. Was he avoiding me?
I didn’t want to do this via a message, so I clicked End and looked at my sister. “Why?”
“Just trust me.”
