“Today’s been stressful,” she said, massaging his shoulders, trying to ease his worries away. “Let’s forget about it.”
It occurred to her she sounded a bit like Michael now, trying to evade the issue rather than deal with it.
“Okay, but I won’t let this go. If Trent was involved…”
“He wasn’t. I’m sure of it.” She rested her head against his chest. “Can’t we just go somewhere and get naked?”
His quiet chuckled warmed her heart. “Sure. I’d love to get naked with you.”
From somewhere over her shoulder, she heard a feminine huff. “Excuse me.”
They turned to face Lacey.
“I guess I should congratulate you guys. Aren’t you adorable?”
Neither of them said anything. Emily wasn’t sure what sort of reaction Lacey wanted, but she wasn’t about to give it to her. Everyone on the set had been supportive today, all except Lacey. She understood. The woman had feelings for Michael, and clearly the emotions hadn’t dissipated, but her sense of compassion only went so far. If Lacey was nicer, Emily might care more about sparing her feelings.
“Seeing as you’re joined at the hip,” Lacey said, “maybe you can talk some sense into this man.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is I have to respond to our producers. Michael, you haven’t circled back to me about the idea we discussed.”
“Lacey,” Michael said, his voice lowered in warning. “I told you I want nothing to do with the families from the daycare incident.”
“You’re being stubborn. You’ve always been stubborn, but this idea is non-negotiable. The show is happening, whether you like it or not.”
“I can’t see it happening if I’m not around, that is unless you’re planning on hiring ahero stand-in.”
“Are you threating to walk, and after everything I’ve done for you?”
“I had a life before this show. I can go back to it very easily.”
Emily touched his arm. “Maybe if Lacey explained what format the show would take.”
“No, Em. I don’t care if she brings in trained elephants and magicians. I’m not doing the goddamned show, not with those people.”
“Those people,” said Lacey, “want to thank the man who saved their children from a gun-wielding maniac.”
Emily knew she’d promised to take Michael’s side, but she couldn’t help wondering if it might help for him to at least hear Lacey’s idea in full. Perhaps the show wouldn’t deal so much with the Ashton incident. Perhaps the producers wanted to make it more of a feel-good experience, helping the families move forward. “Just hear her out for a second, okay?”
His frustration escaped in a small sigh, but it seemed to fill the entire room with disappointment. “You too? You said you’d support me in this.”
“I do but…”
“You know what? You’re right, Em. It’s been a long day and it’s only getting longer.”
“You’re not even giving me a chance to explain.”
“When it comes to this subject, there’s nothing to explain. I don’t want to do the show and I’m going home.”
Emily edged her shoulder, angling away from Lacey, and lowered her voice. “Alone?”
“It might for the best. But I’ll follow you home in my truck and walk you in to make sure you get home safely.”
“If that’s what you want.”
His clipped nod smarted like a slap across the face. He headed into the other room to gather up his things and Emily realized she had to move or she’d look pathetic, staring at her man as he walked away. She rallied and turned, trying to remember where she’d left her bag.
