“Sorry. Thought I saw someone following.”
My stomach drops. “Following?”
Nick turns to look. “Silver Honda?”
“That’s the one.”
“Take the next left,” Nick says. “Then double back through the gas station.”
Zane follows his instructions, and the Honda continues straight.
“You two have me paranoid.” Zane’s fingers grip the wheel tight.
“How often does this happen to you?” I ask Nick.
“More than I’d like,” he admits. “Since I retired, it’s not been like this.”
The rest of the drive is tense. Zane takes back roads like he’s a local, doubling back twice more just to be safe. Finally, he’s parking on the street in front of my condo.
“The coast looks clear,” Zane says, but then I see the crowd of photographers waiting.
“Shit,” Nick mutters. “This is more than before.”
“You sure you want to do this?” Zane asks. “You could grab more clothes and come back to our place.”
I shake my head. “I’m not letting them chase me from my own home.”
Zane turns and looks at us. “If you need anything, call us.”
Nick places his hand on Zane’s shoulder and squeezes. “Thank you.”
“When I said best friends forever, I meant it,” Zane says.
They meet each other’s eyes for a long moment before Nick turns to me. “Ready?”
“No. But let’s do it anyway.”
“I think that’s our official motto,” he says with a smile.
“It’s a good one.”
This time, we’re more prepared for the crowd that surrounds my condo. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself over and over.
The moment we exit Zane’s truck, I get lost in the flashing lights, bodies that press in from all sides, and the shouting. It’s overwhelming.
The questions fly from every direction.
“Julie! Are you pregnant?”
“Nick! How much did you pay her?”
“Is this real or a publicity stunt to fix your reputation?”
“Julie, what will you do when he leaves you?”
“Did you cheat on Craig?”
“Nick! How many women have you destroyed?”
