“She is.”
“I liked your videos.”
“Thanks.”
Isabella hugged her knees again.When she sat like that, she looked even thinner, especially now that she’d changed out of long jeans and into linen shorts.She’d lost weight, and not the healthy kind.
“You should eat,” Dan said.“You look like you’ve not had a decent meal in weeks.”
“Ah, well, you know.”She picked at her fingernails.“The life of a popstar is a whirlwind of prosecco and canapes.”
“Let me get you something.”In all the confusion, Dan had so far only offered her water.He ducked inside and put together the few things Mum and Malek had left behind.It was an odd mixture of crackers, tomatoes, and cheese, with side orders of tuna flakes and pineapple.He set everything on the bistro table.“Not quite canapes and prosecco, but try to eat something.”
Isabella picked a cracker and nibbled.
“When I was hiding out in the airport toilets,” she said, “waiting for the flight here, I watched the fourth installment of your series.I think that’s probably what drained my battery.When’s the next part due?That’s the final part, right?”
“Yeah, Part Five.We were going to start making that today.While Karim napped.”
“Is that her little boy’s name?”
Dan nodded, snagged a slice of tomato, and popped it into his mouth hoping to encourage her to eat.
How many times had he daydreamed about eating out on this little table on their honeymoon?
Here they were at last.
And it felt so wrong.
“So, what’s Part Five about?”Isabella asked.
“My plans, hopes, and dreams for the future.”Dan shrugged.If he told Isabella he’d already recorded the most important bit, she’d start crying again.“I’m still working it out in my head,” he said instead.
Isabella swallowed her bite of cracker, like she’d been chewing wood.“I know it’s a lot, Dan.But…could I be in your Part Five video?Could you announce in it that we’re getting married?”
“I…”
“That would give you and Libby a gazillion views,” she said.“It’ll go super-viral.”
“I really—”
“Please, Dan.”Isabella’s bottom lip quivered again.“I know I don’t deserve your help, but I need to prove those rumors aren’t true.”
“But they are.”
“Were!It’s over now.”
Dan shook his head.“The thing is… Libby…”
“What about her?”Isabella’s eyes were wide, raw, and oblivious.
For several moments, he simply looked back at her until realization dawned in Isabella’s eyes.
“Ah… I see…” With a sniff, she wiped her eyes.“You and her…”
“Yes.”
“I… I didn’t realize… Oh, god, I’m so sorry, Dan.For everything.”Then she ran back inside, her voice cracking as she thanked him for the lovely meal.
