I mouthed that’s not your name as I pointed to myself.
The interviewer beamed. “You’ve been so supportive of Caleb’s return to the public eye. How does it feel being in the spotlight yourself?”
My heart started pounding. Loud enough that I was certain it could be heard through the phone.
Lydia laughed, a little too brightly. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I just help where I can. I thought we were going to be discussing the SnowDrop Inn?”
“Caleb Green is trending and my fans have given me a list of questions to ask you,” the interviewer held up a paper. “Like how did you meet? Is he really as cute in person as his pictures? Does Caleb intend to start touring again? When is his new song coming out?”
“Hi,” I said, forcing a polite smile as I leaned in, just enough for my shoulder to enter the frame. “I think there’s been a mix-up.”
The interviewer’s eyes flicked toward me. “Oh. Are you—”
“I’m Kitty,” I said. “She’s my sister Lydia.”
Lydia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. I’m Lydia. I really don’t know how you could get us mixed up.”
“Oh,” the interviewer said, blinking. “I’m so sorry. You look so similar.”
“Not really. I have much better fashion sense and Kitty is so much more practical than me,” Lydia compared.
I tried again. “And I’m not speaking for Caleb’s career.”
The interviewer laughed lightly. “Of course. But you must have thoughts about what’s next for him. Fans are very curious whether he’ll tour again. Will you be going on tour with him?”
I felt heat crawl up my neck. “I don’t think we should discuss this any further.”
Lydia cleared her throat. “What Kitty means is—”
I reached for the phone, intending to lower it, maybe end the stream entirely. Lydia misunderstood and gently pushed my hand away, smiling at the camera.
“She’s shy,” Lydia said fondly. “She doesn’t love interviews.”
“I am not shy,” I said. “I don’t want to speak for Caleb. It’s not okay. I didn’t agree to be interviewed.”
The interviewer’s smile faltered, just a touch, but the live stream kept rolling. “So just to clarify, you’re not involved in any decisions regarding Caleb Green’s future? You are his girlfriend. Surely you know what’s next for Caleb?”
“I’m not discussing this,” I said firmly.
“How about telling the audience how the both of you met? What’s your story? Just what kind of guy is Caleb in person? We’re all here for the tea and I hope it’s piping hot,” she commented.
There was a pause. The kind that stretches too long when you know people are watching.
Lydia laughed again, nerves creeping in now. “This is getting serious for a holiday chat.”
“Lydia, turn it off,” I told her.
“If you’ll excuse us for just a moment,” Lydia hit the mute button and turned the camera angle away before frowning at me. “There are at least fifty thousand people on that live stream. You need to be nicer or they are going to say mean things about you. I know this wasn’t what we originally thought it was going to be, but Kitty, we don’t want bad publicity for the inn.”
I exhaled, frustrated by the situation. “This isn’t okay.”
“I know it’s not. Look, it’s different than I was promised too. But we need to figure out how to make the best of it before shutting it down,” Lydia explained.
“Fine.” I watched as she unmuted the phone and put both of us back in the frame again.
“Sorry about that. We just needed a moment to get on the same page,” Lydia mentioned with a charming smile.
“I just want to clear something up. I will say that Caleb is a wonderful person but I would like everyone to respect his privacy. I’m happy to answer any questions about the SnowDrop Inn,” I tried to redirect the conversation.
