Paige swallowed past a hard lump in her throat. Vonda had done exactly what Andrew would have done, but as good as the junior agent was, she wasn’thim. “Great. Thanks.”
Ending the call, Paige typed out a quick text to Andrew. But she didn’t hit theSENDbutton. Instead, she deleted it and stuffed her phone back into her pocket. It was way past time for her to stop depending on him or anyone else.
“Everything okay?” Demi asked when Paige walked back into the room.
Taking a seat at the table, Paige shrugged. “I’m okay.”
“Got an email from one of Julius’s attorneys.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “Let me guess . . . another motion? Maybe he took out an ad about my double life as a prostitute and my secret affair with his father?” It was a bad joke. Paige knew that. And Demi knew it, too. The sad part? She didn’t even put it past him to try to defame her in that way.
“They want another meeting,” Demi said, without acknowledging Paige’s sorry attempt at humor. She tapped her fingers against her keyboard, then closed her laptop. Turning to face Paige, she added, “They’re requesting we move the settlement conference up.”
Paige leaned back, narrowing her eyes. “After declining every single one of our requests to move the date up? Hm. Interesting.” Goodwill gesture?I think not. Julius could not be trusted under any circumstance, which was why she’d filed for divorce.
“I’m not confident this isn’t another attempt to get to you,” her attorney said, echoing her internal thoughts. “I’m perfectly happy to tell him to go to hell. But I know you want this over, and I’m here for you.”
Finalizing the divorce was Paige’s ultimate goal. And it would be nice if they could settle things without going to court. The last thing she wanted were pictures of her leaving the courthouse every day plastered on every media outlet.
“If I agree, it has to be a neutral place, preferably my choice. No media. No cameras. Onlyoneattorney.” Over the last several months, Julius had trotted out countless attorneys for various things. He’d even hired a crisis management attorney at one point. “Four people. That’s it.”
“Of course,” Demi agreed. “You know I don’t play that.”
Nodding, Paige exhaled slowly. She trusted Demi. The attorney’s stellar reputation and impeccable record made the decision to hire her easy. And because she’d been recommended by Skye. Oh, and also because of the attorney’s nickname—The Divorce Whisperer.
“Fine,” Paige said. “Let me know when.”
Demi stood and packed up her laptop. “I’ll do that.” She smiled. “In the meantime, I need you to relax.”
That’s easier said than done. “I’m trying.”
“I know it’s hard. What you’re going through is difficult for any woman. Your celebrity status adds another layer of stress.”
Before Paige met Julius, she’d tried to keep her relationships as low-profile as possible. She’d rarely dated men who worked in the industry, because she preferred to have an escape. But that charming bastard had wormed his way into her heart and convinced her to give him a chance. He’d wooed her and fooled her into thinking he was different, that he wasn’t the average high-powered Hollywood director, that he’d protect her and keep her. And she’d believed him. Now she was paying the price for having faith in a man who’d basically lied to her every day of their marriage.
“You’re going to be okay.” Demi squeezed Paige’s hand. “You will. That much I can promise.”
“Thank you, Demi. I appreciate the work you’ve done for me.”
“The work I’ll continue to do until he’s behind you in your rearview mirror, crying that he doesn’t have a pot to piss in.”
Paige laughed. “That’s quite the visual.” And,damn it, she wanted to see it.
“Then we’ll celebrate.” Demi picked up her bag and her purse. “I’ll call you.”
Walking her to the front door, Paige said, “If I don’t answer, it’s because I’m on set. If it’s important, get a message to my assistant.”
“I will. Talk to you soon.”
A few minutes later, Demi was gone, and Paige was alone. She padded through the house to the kitchen and poured a healthy glass of merlot. Grabbing her iPad, she stepped back out on the patio to watch the sunset.
The stunning view of the Pacific Ocean had been the selling point for the purchase of her house. The Malibu property was everything she’d needed to put literal and figurative distance between her and Julius after the scandal broke. Whenever she felt angry or disappointed or sad, she’d sit outside and think of how blessed she was despite her current predicament. It was her little slice of heaven during trying times, an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of her public life. And she loved it.
Taking a sip from her glass, she picked up her phone and dialed Andrew again.Voicemail. Again. “Where are you, Andrew?” she mumbled aloud. “And why do I feel like you’re avoiding me?”
* * *
Paige glanced at the time. “He’s late,” she grumbled, staring out the window. “He probably won’t show up.”
