The enormity of what she’s potentially given up for me hits me like a punch to the gut.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
SAVANNAH
I had almost two-hundred-thousand women unsubscribe from my blog.
I’ve been bombarded with links to gossip blog sites showcasing photos of Ronan’s playboy days. Eugh, even the image of him leaving a nightclub with the weathergirl.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of the comments speculate the same stupid opinion. ‘It won’t last.’
‘Want me to take the girls to school?’ Ronan offers.
‘Is it too much to ask? I know you’re due back there this afternoon as it is.’ The prospect of facing the mothers at the school gate is one I can’t bear.
‘Nothing is too much to ask.’ Ronan stands, shoves his phone in his pocket and drops a kiss on my mouth. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can. We’re in this together, Sav. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I promise.’
He also promised it wouldn’t be as bad as I thought and look how that turned out.
‘The girls’ uniforms are hanging in their wardrobes. Their lunches are in the fridge.’ My gaze lifts to his. ‘Thank you.’
He lingers in the doorway gripping the architrave tightlyenough to turn his knuckles white. ‘No, Savannah, thank you for picking me.’
‘I’d do it again.’ I force a small smile his way. ‘But whatever you do, please don’t make me regret it.’
‘Never, baby. I love you.’ He blows me a kiss.
‘I love you too.’
When I hear the front door slam, and I’m certain the house is empty, I pick up my phone to call Lucas Beechwood. The shoot is this Friday, if it’s still going ahead. Either way, I need to find out. Time to face the music.
‘Savannah,’ he snaps by way of greeting. ‘Quite the scandal you’re starring in. And you told me you don’t date.’
I wince, screwing my fist into a tight ball.
‘I don’t,’ I stammer. ‘Well, I didn’t. Ronan agreed to teach me how to swim for the shoot and, well… it went from there.’
He blows out a long, slow breath like he’s in pain. ‘I made it clear from the beginning that I was looking for a certain type of person to represent our range. Someone wholesome. Someone respectable.’
‘I know, Lucas.’ My head hangs. ‘This thing with Ronan isn’t just a flash in the pan. I know he has a past. Don’t we all? But this thing between us is serious.’
‘The man doesn’t know the meaning of the word.’ Lucas tuts. ‘I should have guessed when I saw you that night at the gallery.’
‘Like I said, we only got to know each other properly when I asked him to teach me how to swim. I was terrified of the water until recently.’
‘You were?’ Lucas’s tone peaks. ‘Then why did you agree to a swimming shoot in the sea?’
‘Because I’m a huge fan of your brand. And I loved the fact that you approached me, a real woman whose body bears the scars of motherhood.’
Lucas exhales warily. ‘You have to understand why I’mupset, Savannah, given Ronan’s reputation. If he makes you look bad, we all look bad.’
‘Look, it’s your choice. Your brand. If you still want me to do it, I’ll do it. Just let me know asap.’
I’m tempted to cancel all bookings in Ballybowen and hibernate there until this all blows over.
‘Let me think about it, Savannah. I need to talk to the PR team,’ Lucas says resignedly. ‘I’ll call you back.’
‘Sure.’
