“Aw, Susan,” Maggie said. “We’re sorry. We really liked him.”
“Do we need to take a hit out on him?” Caleb asked.
“No.” Susan picked up her latte and took a quick sip, trying to swallow her guilt with the coffee. She’d really liked Tyler too, and that was the problem. After Tyler, anyone else would fall short.
“What happened with the show?” Connor asked.
“I’m not sure yet. The final one airs on Thursday night. I won’t know anything until Thursday afternoon either.”
Talk drifted on to other topics—thankfully—and Susan tried to respond to her friends in her usual manner. Control and normal activities were the secret. Eventually each day would become easier.
She hoped.
The rest of the week crawled, although Susan tried to keep busy. She walked to the bank to grab the change for the coming night.
“Susan!”
Susan turned at the call of her name and frowned at a complete stranger. “Do I know you?”
“I’m Jonathon Harris, a reporter with the Auckland News. This is good timing since I was on my way to see you. Who did Nolan choose? Does he know about your affair with the other man?”
“What other man?”
“I have an eyewitness who puts you with this man after the start of the show, just as the rumors say. My witness swears the man looks like Nolan’s younger brother. Can I have your comment on that?”
“I don’t have a comment,” Susan said.
“Shame,” the reporter said. “The article is going to run in tomorrow’s paper. I thought it would be good to include your side of the story.”
“No comment.” She increased her pace and plunged through the front doors of the bank. Thankfully, the reporter didn’t follow to prod harder at her inner turmoil. A story to coincide with the final show. It couldn’t be that bad, right?
Christina picked up the Wednesday morning paper and let out a gasp.
“A story about me?” Susan asked as she shunted a mug of coffee at her friend. She’d been too chicken to open the paper to see if the reporter had spoken the truth.
“Third page,” Christina said. “A full page story with a picture of you and Nolan and another of Tyler.”
The phone rang and seconds later Susan’s cell phone started ringing.
“Well, I guess everyone is awake,” Susan said, picking up her cell while Christina snatched up the landline.
“Susan,” Jennifer boomed down the line. “If I were in the same room with you I’d kiss your feet. This is the perfect promotion to get people watching the final show tomorrow night. Girl, I’m gonna buy you a bottle of champagne. Hell, I’ll get you a crate. Public interest has been so high in this show, the network has signed for another season, plus they’re willing to consider my pet project. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Not the reaction Susan had expected. “Ah, I’ll see you at the wrap-up filming.”
“Excellent. I’ll get that champagne on ice,” Jennifer promised.
“Okay.” Susan hung up and her phone rang almost immediately.
“Susan, are you all right?” Maggie asked. “I saw the article in the paper.”
“I haven’t read it yet.” Susan’s stomach curled with apprehension, and she discarded the idea of breakfast. “Is it bad?”
“Lots of innuendo. There’s a statement from an anonymous hotel employee. It mentions chocolate, strawberries and champagne. Not much more than the last story.”
“So it’s nothing new.” Relief almost made her dizzy.
“The room attendant positively identified Tyler as the man you stayed with overnight, and one of the wait staff has confirmed you were both present in the restaurant that night. They said you were dining with friends.”
