“My only advice is to do whatever Anna tells you,” Luke adds, looking directly at me. “She’s the best. She’ll never steer you wrong. Any chance you might be willing to share her with a friend? I could use someone with her talents on my team.” He raises his eyebrows, half-joking and half-serious.
I chuckle, tossing back the rest of my bourbon. “You’ll have to talk to Anna about that one. She’s very picky about who she works with.”
Sophia whispers something in Luke’s ear, and he nods afterward. There’s a brief lull in the conversation as an unspoken exchange happens between the two of them. Although I’m not sure what’s going on, I have a feeling we’re about to find out.
Sophia exhales deeply, closing her eyes briefly before locking her gaze on Kate. “As long as the two of you are together, you’ll have to deal with the media and the fans demanding to knoweverythingabout your life. They will be intrusive and nonstop. My best advice to you is to deal with any and all potential skeletons in your closet as quickly as possible. Get them out on your terms, because the longer they’re hidden, the bigger problem they are once they come out.” She glances at Luke and sighs again. “Trust me. You don’t want to play defense when something from your past comes to life.” Sophia slumps as she leans into Luke, who wraps his arms around her tightly.
Whatever she’s talking about must not have been good. I’m so out of the loop when it comes to gossip that I have no inkling about what could’ve happened. I’m sure Anna knows it all. She’s warned me about how the past can bite you in the ass, and there’s little that can be done to stop it once it’s out there.
As we eat and talk, Kate opens up more to Sophia, becoming more relaxed as the night progresses. It warms my heart when Sophia intentionally asks for Kate’s number so they can keep in touch and make plans to hang out.
“Did you enjoy dinner?” I ask, holding Kate’s hand as we walk out the back of the restaurant to avoid any potential paparazzi out front.
“Yeah. It was nice to meet someone who understands what we’re going through. Especially someone who has been through the gauntlet and come out on the other side still happy in their relationship.”
“Agreed. I’m sure she has plenty of stories to tell.”
Kate laughs softly. “She mentioned we should chat about groupies when you and Luke aren’t around. Sounds like she’s dealt with her fair share of women chasing after him.”
I cringe. God, I hope Luke is one of the good ones, and Sophia doesn’t have any horror stories to tell. I stop walking, wrapping my arms around Kate’s waist. “You don’t need to worry about any of that with me. I can’t make people stop gawking at me or—what do you call it—eye fucking me when I’m out in public, but I’d never cheat on you.”
Kate swallows hard, dragging her teeth across her lower lip. “I know.” She rests her head against my chest. “I trust you completely.”
The rising tension in my body fades, allowing me to relax into her embrace. I would never intentionally hurt this woman. It would damn near kill me. That doesn’t mean I can stop others from inflicting pain on her. Dredging up stories or spinning gossip to create doubts. It happens every day in this industry. As long as she knows the truth, that’s all that matters.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
kate
As I standin front of the bathroom mirror, Sophia’s advice keeps playing over and over in my head, warning me to deal with the skeletons in my past before they come out. And there are two of them in my closet—Brian and my dad. I’m optimistic my conversation with Brian will downplay any potential drama when the news of my previous engagement comes out. The only real ticking time bomb is my father. The man who walked out of my life without another word twenty-five years ago.
I sigh loudly, applying moisturizer and contemplating how to handle this situation. When I was younger, I would’ve given anything to have my father back in my life; now I’m not so sure. How can you forgive someone who disappeared when you were a child? Who promised nothing would change except where he lived. And it all turned out to be nothing but lies.
I’ve spent months working to address my insecurities and learning how to stand up for myself, so it makes me question whether seeking out a relationship with my dad is another step backward—assuming he even wants one. I grit my teeth at the thought of trying to find him, only to learn he has no desire to be in my life. That he wants absolutely nothing to do with me. It’sthe main reason why I hesitated to look for him when I turned eighteen. If he wanted me in his life, he would’ve reached out. Maybe this is one of those situations when silence is affirmation, and I’m better off not thinking about him anymore. Letting the wound heal once and for all.
But that doesn’t solve the potential problem he might be if he decides to use my relationship with Jake for fifteen minutes of fame. Or worse, decides to use this opportunity to attack my mom. Although some of his comments about her will likely be justified, the last thing any of us needs is riling her up more about Jake and me dating and how it impacts her life.
Jake wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his bare chest. “What are you thinking about?”
All my tension begins to subside when I feel his body against mine. I close my eyes tightly, working up the nerve to tell him what I’m feeling when I’m not sure I understand it myself.
“Can’t stop thinking about Sophia’s advice on dealing with potential skeletons before they come out of their own accord.”
“What are you telling me, Kate? Do you have a secret, scandalous double life that I know nothing about?” he teases, wiggling his eyebrows.
I shake my head at his ridiculousness. He knows me better than that. The most scandalous things I’ve done in my life have all been with him.Tohim.
Damn it. There’s a flush spreading up my chest and neck as my body remembers some of the recent endeavors and positions we’ve gotten ourselves into—like the studio.
Focus, Kate.
After turning, I lock eyes with him and snake my arms around his neck. A sense of peace washes over me, knowing this man is my safe space. No matter what I have to say, he’ll support me. Believe in me. Trust my judgment. Telling him my concernsabout my dad is the right thing to do, even if I don’t know howIfeel about it right now. Or what I want to do about it.
“It’s my dad. I’m worried his absence in my life might come out at some point. And if my mom gets asked about him?—”
Jake grimaces, swallowing hard. “It won’t go well. That would be the understatement of the year. I don’t know whether she’ll ever get over her resentment toward him.”
“Me, neither,” I whisper, expelling a deep breath. “Does it make sense for me to try and find him? Potentially reconnect before he becomes a story.”
