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“Remember me when you’re famous, will ya?” she asks me and it makes me laugh. A real laugh that shakes my shoulders.
“It’s good to see you smile again,” Lydia says softly and her expression changes, with nothing but sincerity on her face.
“You love him?” she asks me gently at the same time her phone goes off. An annoyed look replaces the soft smile as she silences it. “I was worried at first,” she tells me, slipping the phone into her pocket and then looking back at me. “But now I get it.”
I don’t answer her, not trusting that I can even form a coherent sentence. It’s amazing what just one person whose understanding and support you have feels like. How much weight is lifted.
“I have to go, but I don’t want to leave you,” she says with a guilty tone in her voice.
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her more to ease her worry than to be truthful.
She’s the one, this time, to give me a death grip hug.
When she releases me, she whispers, “Go, get out of here and see what the hell they want you to do.”
“Maybe it’s a shampoo commercial,” she adds with a smirk on her lips.
I playfully smack her arm. “Shut up,” I say jokingly and shake my head.
I know I’m already late and an emotional wreck, but at least I’m a little more lighthearted.
“I’ll see you when I’m done.”
“I have to check out and I don’t think my card will be active,” she tells me, the humor and playfulness gone. “I won’t go far and the minute you need me, call and I’m here.”
I nod my head, hating that she’s leaving and feeling more and more alone.
“Got it,” I tell her and give her one more hug. “Thank you for everything,” I say, squeezing her tight.
“Just remember,” she says before she leaves, “Everything happens for a reason.”
CHAPTER17
Nathan
St. Gerard’s corporate rooms are exquisite; it’s obvious they spared no expense. From the beveled glass, mirrored pendant chandelier in the center of the room, to the coffered ceiling with disguised recess lights, everything reeks of wealth. The combination of the lighting creates reflections across the slick, dark mahogany table that takes up the entirety of the expansive room.
It’s gorgeous and meant to aid in getting deals done.
But with only four people in the sweeping space, it feels cold. Especially so as I stare across the dark table at Hally, who’s struggling to look me in the eye.
I crack my knuckles one at a time, listening to Nancy talk as she sifts through a stack of printed papers in front of her. Each an article or mention in a gossip column. Mixed in are photos of us that were leaked online from back in high school. Those are the only ones I even bother to look at.
“As I discussed with my client, her interview is causing a little speculation,” Nancy’s voice changes, strengthening and ringing clear in the large room. My eyes shift from Hally’s to hers.
I shrug my right shoulder and rest my forearm on the table. “I’m sure it’ll blow over.”
I give my response at the same time Hally says, “I’m sorry.” Her eyes dart everywhere like she’s in trouble. Her hands are beneath the table, and I can only imagine she’s toying with the hem of the shirt she’s wearing. It’s black with a deep V but more importantly, it’s almost sheer and in this lighting, I can make out the lace of her bra.
I imagine it was for the set because it’s not a shirt I could see Hally wearing. But then again, I haven’t seen Hally in her own clothes, or have I?
The inner thought makes my brow furrow and right then she glances at me.
“This is on the cusp of very good or very bad,” Nancy says but I refuse to break Hally’s gaze. She’s scared and that fact is terrifying me.
All she has to do is forget. For the love of God, if she could just forget what happened, everything would be perfect.
“I don’t want to hurt his career,” Hally says hesitantly, breaking eye contact with me, her voice lowering toward the end.
