Olivia comes over and gives me a hug. “It’s the price of being with our men. It does suck. But, like we said before, it’s worth it. It’s not something that goes away, but you get better at dealing with it. And Daisy’s right. There is a silver lining. You get clear on what’s worth your time and who your friends are. You can handle this.”
I want to ask for my phone back so I can wait for Sebastian to call or message. But I decide that Daisy’s right. I’m only going to be tempted to check social media. And no good will come of that.
I still feel shaky, but I straighten my shoulders. “Okay. Hide my phone for the night.”
Daisy nods her approval. “You won’t regret it. I promise. I’ll turn it off and put it somewhere you’ll never find. Should I hide your laptop as well?”
“That’s going too far. And I’m not logged onto social media on my computer.”
“Sadie, I’ll tell you where it is and you can give the phone back to Emma when you think she’s ready to have access. The first twenty-four hours are the most crucial.”
“Will do,” Sadie says. “Time will do the trick. And wine.” She holds the bottle of red wine up. “Anyone want a refill?”
We all grab our glasses.
CHAPTER 45
Emma
The girls leavea few hours later. Even a little tipsy, I do my bedtime routine. I remove my makeup, moisturize liberally, and change into my favorite sleep T-shirt, needing the extra comfort it provides. Then, finally, I crawl into bed.
I feel empty without my phone and Sebastian on the other line to fall asleep to. Daisy wouldn’t even let me text Sebastian. I explained I hadn’t heard from him all day, but she said it wouldn’t hurt him to wonder about me, and Olivia and Sadie agreed.
I’m tempted to tear apart my house looking for my phone. It can’t be too hard to find, can it? But then I remember Daisy was the one who hid it. That girl iscreative.
Eventually, I fall into a fitful sleep, with unsettling dreams about being on an airplane naked. A flight attendant keeps yelling at me while the other passengers take pictures.
I wake in a cold sweat. At first, I think the dinging sound is from my dream. But then I realize it’s my doorbell.
I stumble out of bed, still disoriented. Faint half-light illuminates my bedroom. It’s not quite dark, not quite dawn.
“Who is it?” I ask when I make it to the door, wishing I’d installed the state-of-the-art security system Sebastian bought me. Is it a reporter? It’s not likeI’mfamous.
“You didn’t listen to me about security, did you, Em? Or you’d know it’s me.”
“Sebastian!” I yank the door open to find the man I’ve been obsessing over standing in my doorway. “W-what are you doing here?” I adjust my T-shirt self-consciously.
“I’m sorry it’s so early. I was supposed to arrive last night, but my plane had mechanical issues. And then it took forever to arrange for a new plane and crew.” His face looks tired. Tense.
Stepping aside, I gesture for him to come in, still too groggy to process that he’s here, in LA, standing in my new house.
“Is it okay that I came? I know we said three months. But I suck at waiting.” He sounds unsure, anxious, even.
“I-It’s okay.” I try desperately to smooth my bedhead.
His gaze does a slow sweep of my body, from my messy hair to my bare toes, then back again. I shift. Stepping into my living room, he looks around. “This is really nice. You did good, Em.”
“Thanks,” I whisper. “But … what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on set?”
He drops a leather overnight bag next to the couch and reaches out, pulling me into his arms. “I heard about the podcast,” he says simply. “And I couldn’t stay away.”
I nod into his chest, and that’s all it takes. One hug. I break. All the tension I’ve been holding back crashes through me, and I take a great, gasping sob. Tears overflow. I’m not crying because of the stupid article and my stupid ex, though. Not really. It just feels so damn good to be in his arms again.
“Fuck, baby. I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop this story from circulating wider. And then I’m going toruinyour ex. When I’m done, he won’t have a tongue to say another word.”
I give a watery laugh. “You’re not cutting out his tongue. That’ll land you back in jail.”
“Worth it. Besides, I’ll be smarter this time. I’ll work with Duncan. He’ll kidnap him. No witnesses.”
