“It’s not the first or last ugly thing someone will say to either of us,” Addie said lightly. “He saw the show as a star vehicle for him, and he was drinking, and all the buzz is either about me or about the marriage. The new clips were something like ninety percent featuring me, and then the photos—”
“Which he leaked,” Toni interjected. “He admitted that, right?”
“Yes. He wants more publicity, and apparently, he can’t fathom how I’m the star. Lead named character, but my success is because of you.” Addie sounded both hurt and frustrated.
“Ignore him, please. The clips are about you because it’s a show about a female Victorian detective,” Toni pointed out. “And because you’re amazing.”
Toni clickedSENDon her email. There were plenty of actors they could recast, and the team wasn’t so far into the filming that he couldn’t be replaced or written out of the show. If necessary, she’d kill him in the book. That would create a huge plot hole, but she’dfigure it out. She wasn’t sure what the options were, but keeping him on the show wasn’t one of them. Of that, she was certain.
Addie sighed. “He admitted the photo leak, Toni. The whole media thing. He thought it would ruin me. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Addie! Why would I blame you for his actions?” Toni asked.
Plus, he gave me extra fodder to insist they fire his ass.
“I know you’re an introvert, and you hated your life being in the media.” Addie sniffled. “It was my fault.”
“No. It was his fault, and honestly”—Toni sighed—“the media wouldn’t have been so extreme if I wasn’t staring at you like you were the answer to every prayer I’ve ever had.”
“Really?” Addie’s voice was tremulous.
“Really. I admitted as much when I emailed the publisher. They said it in more polite terms than I did, but the sentiment is the same. What I should’ve added was that you were my muse, Adelaine. My good luck charm. I named a character after you once the book was written, but this sequel exists because you returned to my life.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I’m not just saying it. It’s true. New topic,” Toni said, rather than arguing. “Do I need my own hotel room? Or can I stay with you?”
“You’re coming after all? I thought you said it was unlikely?” Addie sounded like someone had just given her a new puppy. Her ability to switch moods was beautiful in that moment.
“I am coming to New Orleans.” Toni clicked on available flights. There was one leaving at 5A.M.She glanced at the clock. “I ought to get to bed soon, but I wanted to let you know. I made it work.”
“You mean… tomorrow? Not on Saturday but tomorrow? Halloween?”
“I do mean exactly that.” Toni pulled out her wallet and a credit card she used for business expenses.It’s a business expense if it’s for the show, right?Foolishly or not, she swapped that card out for her personal one. Seeing Addie wasn’t business.
“I’m filming until midafternoon,” Addie reminded her.
“So I’ll nap in your bed, if that’s okay,” Toni countered. “Unless you don’t want me to be in your room…?”
“No! I mean yes.” Addie let out a joyful squeal. “Yes, please. Stay with me. Come see me. I’ll ask for a spare blanket at the front desk.”
“Or you could just sleep on top of me and then you don’t need the covers,” Toni suggested, only half joking.
“So that’s the trick? I just stay in your arms all night?” Addie teased. “What time do you arrive?”
Toni finished buying the ticket and looked at the receipt. “I land at eight ten. I have an open invitation to the set.… Would you mind if I came by? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, especially with all the wedding talk still buzzing around.”
While there wasn’t as much drama as in the initial forty-eight hours, it was still enough that Toni wanted to cringe away. Her fear of being judged had kept her off social media, off news sites, and Emily filtered everything.She isn’t a student or fan, though. She is a beautiful woman I met before the book even sold.Maybe admitting that was the wrong move, or maybe she ought to accept an interview and clear the air.
“I’m not embarrassed that people think you’d choose me as a lover,” Addie said.
“So I can come by the set without making you uncomfortable?” Toni pressed.
“Depends on what you mean by ‘uncomfortable,’ and it probably depends on how you greet me when you arrive.” Addie’s voice was light, but she sounded more serious, more anxious, than Toni wanted to hear.
“Last time, I crawled under your skirt and put my mouth—”
“Toni!” Addie laughed. “I’m fairly sure that isn’t a public act.”
