And Braxton is an Amazon, towering over me in a sleek all-black getup. She shakes my hand with a grip that could crush walnuts. No smile. All business.
"Have you been on television before?" she asks.
"No."
"Well, it is easy. Just answer my questions in a brief, coherent way. And you will be fine," she says, eyes flicking to Snorty with disdain. "See that the creature behaves."
See that you behave,I say in my mind.
Snorty, sensing the insult, tilts his chin and lets out a defiant harrumph.
I sit in the designated chair, smoothing the fabric of my dress over my knees for the tenth time. My hands shake.
Just a few hours ago, Rio looked at me with eyes so cold theyburned. He thinks I betrayed him.
The whole world thinks I betrayed him. And Joseph W. King, of all people.
This interview is my only chance to fix it.
"And we are live in five, four, three..." the cameraman calls.
The red light blinks on.
"Hello from Las Vegas," Braxton says to the camera. Her transformation is instant—the cold gladiator melts into a warm, inviting best friend.
"We are sitting here with the lovely fiancée of Rio Wilder. Maddie, welcome. Let’s get down to it. How did you and Rio meet?"
I paste a smile on my face, just as Antoine rehearsed. "Well, I’ve known Rio since I was a little kid. He was my brother’s best friend. But we didn't really connect until recently."
"And is it true love?" she asks, leaning in.
"Of course," I say.
"But if it is true love," Braxton says, her tone dropping to an insidious, conspiratorial whisper, "why did cameras catch you kissing your ex-fiancée earlier this morning?"
The technician behind her flashes the image on the monitor of me and Joseph locked in an embrace.
I take a deep breath and remember Antoine's words.Use the pain.
"My ex is a troubled man," I begin.
"We had set a date for our wedding. The day arrived and all my family and friends were in church, ready to see us walk down the aisle. But..."
I stutter the words, exactly as Antoine coached.
But then I look turn to see Joseph’s arms around me in the tabloid photo. And the old humiliation rises up, making the stutter real.
"Joseph failed to show up," I say, my voice trembling. "He left me standing at the altar. Alone."
I bury my fingers in Snorty’s fur for strength.
"We had no contact until this morning. He saw me in the shopping area. He followed after me, saying he read about my engagement to Rio. Then he just grabbed me. Out of the blue."
"Why do you think he did that?" Braxton asks.
"I suspect Joseph’s ego couldn't handle seeing me happy with someone else," I say, my voice gaining strength. "He didn't grab me because he loves me. Hegrabbed me to ruin me."
Braxton pauses. Then she shakes her head at the camera. "What a jerk."
