Chloe’s lips trembled. “You’re right.”
Mom cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry you’re hurting. If that Liam Hamilton can’t see what he had in my daughter, he’s not the man I thought he was.”
“It’s not his fault, Mom. I’m the one who blew it.”
“And you’re gonna give up on him just like that?”
“I didn’t give up on him, but I’m pretty sure he’s given up on me.” Chloe drew in a brave breath. “I’ll be okay though. I’ll get through this.”
“You bet you will. And we’ll be right with you every step of the way.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Her mother gave her a side hug and went to wipe down the table.
Dad was still on the patio, cleaning the grill. And Sean and Meghan had retired to the living room, probably to make out if recent experience was anything to go by.
Shaking her gloomy mood, Chloe finished loading the silverware, sprayed down the sink, and started the dishwasher. Then she headed to the living room where the couple, it turned out, was not canoodling on the sofa.
“Turn it.”Sean reached for the remote.
But Meghan held it out of his reach. “No.”
“She shouldn’t have to—”
“We’re leaving it,” Meghan hissed.
Chloe arched a brow. “Arguing over the remote already?”
They both froze, comically posed with Meghan holding the remote in the air and Sean reaching for it.
Chloe’s gaze swung to the TV to see what all the fuss was about. She caught an eyeful of Liam, apparently sitting for an interview. Before the program cut to a commercial.
Chloe’s chest tightened in dread. She put a hand to her throat. “What is this? What’s he doing?”
“He’s getting ready to do an interview onCelebrity Today. I think you should watch this, Chloe.”
“This is a bad idea,” Sean said. “You’ve been hurt enough.”
Her thoughts were scrambled. Why was Liam giving an interview? A last-ditch effort to prop up his career? But his fans were already forgiving him, according to the scuttlebutt Meghan passed on to her.
What else could it be though? Chloe didn’t know—but she had to find out. And if nothing else, she was so desperate toseehim. Tohearhim. She missed him so much. It humbled her to feel so needy, but not enough that she wouldn’t give in to the longing. “Give me the remote.”
Meghan handed it to her and Chloe perched on the sofa beside Meghan, waiting, her heart in her throat.
“You don’t have to do this,” Sean said. “We can just turn it off and go about our afternoon.”
“I’ll find out what he said one way or another. I’m sure it’ll be all over town by tomorrow.” All over the country, more like. She’d never known how exposed the spotlight of celebrity could make one feel.
Meghan glanced at Chloe. “They just played a little teaser. You haven’t missed anything. I guess he decided to break his silence after all.”
And on a live nationally televised show. “Go big or go home, I guess.”
Mom appeared in the doorway, drying her hands on a dish towel. “What’s going on in here?”
“Liam’s giving an interview onCelebrity Today,” Meghan said.
Mom’s worried gaze darted to Chloe. “Right now?”
