“I believe you.” I tighten my hold on his hand. “I’m sorry,” I add. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I know you wouldn’t act without my permission. I’m really on edge today after last night, and I just flipped.” I feel bad I ever thought J would do that to me.
“It’s okay.” He rubs soothing circles on the back of my hand. “You’re not the only one on edge.”
“So, the cat is definitely out of the bag?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Maybe it is a photographer after all.” Maybe he’s been watching and waiting for something to kick off before reporting on what he knows. Shit, shit, shit. This could be about to completely blow up in our faces.
Air whooshes out of his mouth and strain creases the corners of his eyes. “I thought we were in the clear, at least for now. I’ve been on the phone with my publicist and her team for hours. There are reports and gossip online, but no one has named you and none of the pics I’ve seen show a clear shot of your face. We got lucky with so many flashes. The first images are all blurry and not enough to identify you.”
“That doesn’t mean someone hasn’t figured it out.”
“If the word was out, there’d be a horde of vultures camped outside your house.” He stands abruptly. “I don’t even like the thought of one. I’m going to give that shithead a piece of my mind.”
I tug on his arm, pulling him back down. “Let’s park that for a minute. I want to know what your PR people are suggesting.”
“Amanda says the best strategy is to come partially clean. I’ve just approved her to release a statement saying my relationship with Toria was always casual and we were only briefly engaged. It confirms we broke up two months ago and I’m supporting her fully during her pregnancy and we have agreed a co-parenting arrangement. It also confirms I was not cheating on her.”
“What about me?”
“This is where I disagree with Amanda. She doesn’t want to mention you now. She prefers to downplay it and say you’re an old friend. I think she’s wrong. I really want to keep your name out of it, but it’s only a matter of time before they find out. I prefer to get ahead of it and say we are childhood sweethearts who have recently reconnected and we’re enjoying spending time together again. But I won’t do anything without your agreement. If you’d rather we keep it vague, that’s fine by me.”
“Ugh.” Wrenching my hand from his, I rub at a tense spot between my brows. “This is a nightmare.”
“I’m sorry, Syd.”
“Please stop saying you’re sorry. I know you are, and it’s not your fault.” I stare absently out at the ocean, struggling to make sense of the warring emotions in my head.
“Is this it for us?” he quietly adds, strain evident in his voice. “Have you decided I’m more trouble than I’m worth?” Pain slices through his tone, and I hate it.
“No. I haven’t decided anything. I just need some time to wrap my head around it. I don’t want to commit unless I know I can deal with it. Right now, I’m not one hundred percent sure.” I swivel on my seat and clasp his hands in mine, peering deep into his worried eyes. “I meant what I said last night, J. I love you, and I want to find a way to make this work, but I’m terrified this is bigger than I can handle.”
“You’re worried about falling off the wagon?”
“A little.”
He pulls me onto his lap in one swift move as if I weigh nothing. “It will be different this time. I’m here for you, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”
“What about Vittoria?” I circle my arms around his neck. “Does she know?”
He winces, and I brace myself for it. “She called me screaming bloody murder a few hours ago. I barely got a word in edgewise before she hung up on me.”
“She’ll know it’s me.”
He nods. “She already suspects, but I didn’t have a chance to say anything because she was just shouting and cursing at me in multiple languages.”
“Maybe we should get ahead of this before she does.” Right now, I’d rank a scorned woman above cutthroat paparazzi on the list of things to worry about.
He nuzzles his nose against my cheek. “Take the day to think about it. We can let my first statement settle and then address the question of my mystery woman later.”
“Okay. I’ll mull it over and talk to Cay. I’ll let you know later.” I hop off his lap and extend my hand. “Come on. It’s time to confront the asshole in the SUV outside my house. Let’s get ahead of that too.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Sydney
“Syd! What the fuck?!” Jared yells as I jump out in front of the SUV, and a screeching noise tortures my ears when the driver slams on the brakes.
