And with that, I walk out, not even bothering to acknowledge any of it.
The day at the spa passes quickly. My schedule has been jam-packed with clients since I started here, and I love it.
I’m so busy that each shift I work feels like minutes rather than hours. I also love the darkened room, the soft music, the silence with each client, letting me relax and really focus on doing what I love.
Kai came by and had lunch with me, bringing me his favorite food truck’s garlic shrimp plate, and after everything he’s done for me, I feel like I need to do something for him.
My phone has been stuffed in my locker, not even taking a second to look at the shit show that has probably been happening. I don’t need to know what is being said about me or how Sean and his legal team have responded.
My guess would be that they haven’t. They always advised him to keep quiet no matter what was said, and this will be no different.
I’ll get a cease-and-desist letter soon, but all that is, is an idle threat. Everything I’ve said is true, though. Those only work if the person is lying, and Sean knows that. He won’t take it any further. He never does. Usually, it’s enough to scare someone, but not me.
He can get fucked if he thinks I’m going to shut up.
Tonight, Kai and I are going to see Miles’s band play at a local bar. It’s supposed to be a huge deal since they have started playing together again, and people arrive hours before just to get in.
I’m waiting on Kai, and as I do, I turn off all notifications on Instagram and scroll through my text messages, only looking at the ones I deem necessary.
There are at least ten from Isla, and I quickly respond to her, letting her know I’m fine just to ease her mind and keep her from going crazy.
It’s the ones from Sean that get me, though. Tons of them, exactly as I expect—threatening and then calm, to angry, then begging. I set him to silent, but before I do, I catch the last one he sent.
* * *
Sean: I’m still on Maui
* * *
I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but that’s how he wants it. He wants me wondering if he’s going to show up again, if he’s planning to make my life miserable, or if he wants me to know he’s still here so I can sign the NDA.
Whatever it is, I don’t give a shit.
I do a casual scan through my email, deleting ninety percent of it—mostly junk—but I come across one that catches my attention. I mark it to look at later, but not just that, to verify it’s actually real since it’s come from one of the biggest podcasters in the industry.
I’ve listened to her before and have loved everything she does. It’s definitely worth a second look.
As I’m continuing to delete junk, Kai pulls up, and I head out the door, locking it behind me, not needing Sean to show up and be waiting in my house.
I did let my landlord know about the incident, and he said he’s putting cameras up in the next few days, which is way more than I even expected.
Climbing into the car, I lean over and kiss him, and when he wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer, I smile against his lips.
“Miss me?” I ask him, running my thumb over his cheek.
“Every fucking minute of every fucking day.”
Settling back in my seat, he backs out of the driveway, the windows down, the cool evening sea air blowing. It smells like paradise. It is paradise, and I hope I never have to leave.
“Miles texted to say there are going to be a couple of surprise guests. Fans don’t know because if they did, they’d…” He stops, looking over at me, my face a wash of instant fear and concern.
Sean’s text plays over and over again in my head.
I’m still on Maui.
Miles’s band was on tour with Sean. Bringing him in to be their guest would be huge publicity for their band, and that’s immediately where my mind goes.
I swallow hard, feeling my heart begin to race, my palms growing sweaty, and I run them over the fabric of the car seat.
