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“I’m going say it one more time,” he says through gritted teeth, “because no one walks down the aisle so soon after walking out on a wedding. The world knows you just pulled astunt. When we’re together again, I can get past that. You’ll be respectable again.”
I get in his face, so close I can smell the cheap breath mints he downs all day, so paranoid he is about his breath. “We will never be together again, Andy, and if you don’t go away, I’ll go to the press and tell them all about you setting up Rake.”
He finally releases my arm, and howls in laughter. “You think anyone would ever believe you? You and Rake both have zero credibility these days. You’re a joke, and everyone’s laughing at you.”
I shake my head as my fury turns into pity. Yes, this man is pitiable. And sad. And alone.
“I’d rather have the world laughing at me with Rake than laughing at me with you.”
His mouth drops open, and I shoulder chuck him so hard while passing him that he bounces back against the store shelves and knocks a bunch of maxi pads to the floor.
I walk backwards, watching him try to regain his balance, when I see a store employee. “Ma’am,” I say, pointing, “the gentlemen over there needs some help with his feminine hygiene products.”
I turn and head for the register, first grabbing a bag of M&Ms. Figure I’ve earned them.
48
PETAL
“You want me towhat?”I ask.
Someone wants to interviewme? Sure, the press were camping out at my home and workplace until just the other day. They must have wanted something, like some dirt or gossip or some such.
Are they still digging?
Rake holds his hands up. “I know, I know. I’ll let BJ know it’s a stupid idea.”
“Wait. Hold on. Will it help you or something? Is that the thinking?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess it’s another way to ‘control the message’ as the PR assholes like to say. It’s a stupid idea. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
I plop down on the living room sofa, tired after a long day at the bookstore and then driving through rush hour traffic to get back to the city.
I wanted to see Rake, so of course, it was worth it.
“No. Don’t say that. I’ll give it a shot. Not sure what I’ll say, but I don’t mind. I’ll just answer their questions honestly. There’s nothing to hide anymore.”
He looks shocked. I kind of am, myself. What’s come over me, talking to the press voluntarily?
“Really?” he asks. “If you’re sure, we can call the reporter right now on video chat, just to make an introduction. Get that out of the way.”
We sit together at the dining table in front of my laptop and Rake initiates the call.
“Hi there,” a cheery blonde says. “I’m Charlotte from Good Morning San Francisco.”
Never heard of it before now. I wonder if I can work in a mention about the bookstore. Maybe Mom’s Cable Car Museum, too.
“I am so happy you guys agreed to talk to me. And aren’t you just thecutestcouple?” she gushes.
Okay, that’s corny, but Rake and I smile at each other anyway.
“Rake and Petal, I don’t want to take much of your time, it is the dinner hour, after all,” she says. “I wanted to do a little meet and greet in preparation for the show.”
We nod, which I hope is part of the meeting and greeting.
“So Petal, I’ll be throwing you a few softball questions, like about how you two met and got married and all that. It will be super relaxed. No big deal.”
She babbles on about a few other details
