Given the amount of time we spend together, and my growing feelings for him, probably not. ‘He’s a great muse.’
‘Those paintings would sell like hotcakes if the world got wind his girlfriend painted them,’ Savannah sing-songs over the phone.
‘What? I’m not his girlfriend. We’re just hanging out for the holiday season. Besides, I could never use my connection to Nate like that. What we have, it’s…special. I’m not painting him to make money, I’m painting him because I can’t get him out of my mind. I’m just hoping one day they’re going to make money off my own back.’
‘Well, let’s hope they do, because your return to St. Jude’s is looking increasingly less likely,’ Ashley calls from the background, her voice ringing with sympathy.
My heart sinks. Not because I especially want to go back to St. Jude’s, but because I want this whole embarrassing video to die a death and be a dreadful but distant memory. ‘Oh God, what now?’
‘Dan’s released another video,’ Savannah says solemnly. ‘And another matching photo meme.’
I scrape my fingers through my hair and blink back the tears threatening behind my eyelids. I still haven’t heard from my parents. It’s not uncommon for us to go weeks without talking, but I have to presume they’re still horrified with me.
There’s no way I’ll be able to show my face at Conor’s wedding with this thing still circulating. ‘For fuck’s sake. Has Dan got nothing better to do?’
‘It would appear not,’ Ashley tuts in disgust.
‘Dare I even ask what this one says?’
‘Do you want to see it?’ Savannah asks with a wince.
‘Not really. Is it the same as the last one?’
‘Yes, but he’s replaced the song again. This time, it’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little’…’ Ashley cringes visibly on the screen in front of me, ‘stiffness.’
‘Oh my God. Every time I dare to dream this whole embarrassing debacle might be blowing over, he fucking does it again. How many views this time?’
‘Twenty-eight million at last count,’ Ashley sighs.
‘Oh my God.’ My forehead falls to my palms.
‘If only there was a way to turn this around,’ Savannah muses thoughtfully, flicking her professionally blow-dried hair from her shoulder.
Max’s offer springs to mind. ‘I did get offered a minor role in a movie being made about Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Bunnies. I’m under no illusion it’s for anything other than my boobs because I’m not qualified for anything remotely challenging.’
‘SHUT THE FUCKING FRONT DOOR!’ Savannah screeches, leaping to her feet with excitement. ‘You’re not seriously thinking of doing it?’
‘Of course not! Bad enough playing an extra in the background of a Hallmark movie. The last thing I want to do is play a pivotal role in a glorified porno.’
‘Yep, definitely not a good idea,’ Ashley agrees using her head teacher voice. ‘Even if you do have an amazing pair of tits.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ a deep voice chuckles from behind me.
Nate.
Shit. It goes without saying that he’ll arrive around seven o’clock.
How much of that did he hear?
As he crosses the floor, I fling a dust sheet over my paintings to hide all the portraits I’ve painted. Don’t want him thinking I’m a weird stalker.
He presses a kiss to my temple in direct line of the camera on my phone.
‘Swoon central!’ Savannah squeals deafeningly.
Nate’s head swings in the direction of the screen. ‘Hello, ladies.’
‘I can’t believe it’s actually you,’ Savannah gushes.
