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“Thalia.” Her voice was both stern and questioning at the same time.
“Hmm,” I said again, trying to play it off like I hadn’t been paying attention. But I was no actress.
Sadie cocked her head as she tried to quietly fit the pieces of the puzzle together. I really didn’t like how close she was studying every tick of my face or shake of my limbs.
“Something happened, didn’t it?” I could barely see her eyes anymore. They were narrowed so hard, brows knitted together furiously.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, and Sadie seemed to take that as some sort of confirmation.
“Thalia, please don’t tell me you’re the reason I have to redo months’ worth of work.” Sadie tried to make her tone sound half-joking, but her hand flew up to her forehead as if to rub an ache.
I honestly wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t know if I was the reason. Itsoundedlike I was the reason. IhopedI was the reason he wanted to stay in town for a bit longer.
Sadie was still staring at me intently as I tried to think through what to say next.
I really wanted to lie to her and tell her that nothing happened, but I couldn’t do that. She already looked so stressed, and she was always there for me. Hell, she was the only one who took a chance on me, only knowing me as a barista with some music experience. She greeted me like an old friend and threw me a life raft without hesitation. I couldn’t lie to her. It would feel like I was taking advantage of her kindness, and I wasn’t that kind of person.
“Look,” I said quietly, glancing toward her closed door. “I don't want anyone to know…” I was interrupted by Sadie’s gasp, her hand at her mouth in surprise.
“Oh, my God! I knew it, I knew this would happen. From the way he changed from the moment he saw you on that first day? I knew something was up!” Okay, Sadie was definitely looking like a fangirl who readwaytoo many happily ever afters. But something else clicked in her head and confusion replaced elation on her face.
“But why would Damian need to push back the tour? He was going to be with you the entire time, anyway.”
I glanced out the window, completely unsure of how or if I should proceed.
“Sadie, there's something I haven't told you." I looked into her eyes, almost to look for confirmation that it was okay to tell her. "When you met me at the coffee shop, I didn't tell you a few things. When I was in the music industry, Damian and I were together. I left him, and the music scene suddenly, all those years ago, because… I got pregnant."
Sadie’s eyes went as wide as saucers as her mind filled in the blanks. She was an incredibly smart woman. This was all a lot to reveal, especially since Ijusttold Damian, but Sadie deserved to know.
She solved the rest of the puzzle by herself.
“So he wants to…” Sadie didn’t finish the sentence, and I just shrugged, hoping that was what was going on. “So that’s why… well, I might not know the whole story, but it seems like everything is working out for everyone involved.”
I let out a deep breath.
“So…you’re not mad about doing extra work?” I still felt bad that basically, everything she’d done so far was going to be tossed out the window.
Sadie glanced at her tablet, unable to hide the disappointment, but then quickly waved her hands dismissively.
“I think you two have more work on your hands than I do,” she said. “But really, I’m happy for you. I know that you've been doing your best, doing the single mother thing. And so you don’t have to worry, I’m not going to say anything to anyone. My mind is a vault and, in this job, I’ve gottenverygood at keeping secrets.”
Sadie winked, and I laughed, relieved that I felt I could trust her so deeply.
I felt something inside of me loosen. Damian had no idea what he was about to get into, but I had big plans for this weekend. I mean, what else did he have on his plate now?
Chapter 22
Damian
Iwasterrified.Notjust because I was going to introduce myself to the daughter I didn't know I had. That would have been terrifying enough. But what was really terrifying were the hounds surrounding me. The paparazzi.
I realized that I should have planned this better. We should have gone somewhere neutral rather than Thalia’s apartment. But I wanted Luna to feel comfortable, to feel like she was in her space when we told her the news.
I was probably a little too excited. Hell, we both were. We didn’t think of the risks of a pap blowing my cover and stories of Damian Apollo hanging out at an apartment in Van Nuys. And with today’s technology, it would be no time until Thalia was identified. She might not be hugely active on social media anymore, but she’d left a mark with her hit song and anything on the internet was there forever.
They’d find out who she was. They’d find out where she worked. And then they’d find out she worked with me.
And now that would be a scandal. It was easy to see the headlines:Damian Apollo and employee: an illicit affair!That wasn’t being dramatic, that was completely possible.
