“Are you kidding? It’s all over the news.” She guides me to the couch. “Plus, you weren’t answering your phone, which meant either you were dead or having the worst day of your life. And since I have your location, I knew you weren’t dead.”
Despite everything, I laugh. “You tracked my location?”
“Of course I did. That’s what best friends are for.” She heads to the kitchen, grabbing wine glasses. “Now, talk to me. What the hell happened?”
So, I tell her. Everything. The article. The meeting with Mark. The administrative leave. Carter’s offer to hold a press conference. And finally, the break I asked for.
Maya listens without interrupting, pouring wine and handing me a glass. When I finish, she’s quiet for a moment.
“Okay,” she finally says. “I’m going to say something, and you’re going to want to throw that wine in my face. But I’m saying it anyway because I love you.”
“That’s a great start,” I mutter.
“You’re being an idiot.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“An idiot. A self-sabotaging, scared, beautiful idiot.” She takes a sip of her wine. “This man, this incredible, successful, gorgeous man, is willing to put his entire career on the line for you. And you told him to leave.”
“I didn’t tell him to leave. I asked for space.”
“Same thing.” She waves her hand dismissively. “You’re pushing him away because you’re scared. Which, fair. This situation is terrifying. But running from it isn’t going to make it better.”
“I’m not running—”
“Yes, you are.” Her voice softens. “Liv, I’ve known you since college. I watched you walk away from modeling when that photographer made you feel worthless. I watched you rebuild yourself into this badass PR specialist who doesn’t take shit from anyone. And now, the second things get hard, you’re doing it again. Walking away before someone can hurt you.”
The words hit too close to home. “That’s not what this is.”
“Isn’t it?” She sets her glass down. “Look, I read the article. I saw what they’re saying about you. And it’s bullshit. Complete and total bullshit. But you know what else it is? Temporary.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, actually. Because I’ve been on the internet long enough to know that today’s scandal is tomorrow’s forgotten news. People have short attention spans. They’ll move on to the next drama, and you’ll still be here. The question is, will Carter still be here with you?”
I stare into my wine glass. “I can’t ask him to risk everything for me.”
“You’re not asking. He’s offering.” Maya leans forward. “And honestly? If you don’t take him up on it, you’re the biggest idiot I know.”
“Thanks for the support,” I say dryly.
“I am supporting you, by telling you the truth.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You love him, right?”
“Yes.”
“And he loves you?”
“He says he does.”
“Then what the hell are you doing sitting here feeling sorry for yourself?” Her voice is gentle but firm. “Go get your man, Olivia. Before you lose him for real.”
“It’s not that simple—”
“It is that simple. You’re just making it complicated.” She stands, pulling me up with her. “Now, finish that wine, eat some ice cream, and tomorrow morning, you’re going to march over to Carter’s house and tell him you were wrong. Got it?”
“Maya—”
“Got it?” she repeats, more firmly this time.
