“If we go out the front, all the paparazzi will see and they’ll crowd the hospital, and I don’t want them knowing because I can’t handle the stress of that and… ahhhhhh!”
“Just breathe. That’s it, you’re doing great.”
“I know I’m doing great,” she says, her forehead creased in pain. “That’s why I think we have a few hours before this baby is coming, so I can just walk right back in there with my head held high and show them all.”
“You’ve already shown them all!” I say urgently, looking to Ryan for help.
“Uh, yes, you’ve shown them that you’re fine,” he says, coming to stand behind me.
She looks up at him hopefully. “Really? They don’t think I’m a big horrible mess after the breakup?”
“Oh, well,” he says nervously, glancing at me as I give him encouraging eyes. “I… um… overheard someone saying that this breakup was clearly the best thing to happen to you because you look so good.”
She smiles in relief.
“Okay, so now we need to get you to the hospital,” I say in as soothing a tone as I can muster. “How can I contact your driver?”
“I need my phone. It has his number in there.”
“Where’s your phone?”
“In my bag.”
“Where’s your bag?”
She looks around herself and then groans. “I don’t know. I think I gave it to someone.”
“Your PA? Your manager? The cloakroom?”
“I don’t know,someone!” she whines.
“Okay, no worries, I can go ask around,” I assure her.
She grips my hand so tight, I squeak in pain. “You arenotleaving me,” she says sternly. “I need you right now, Harper.”
“I can go look for the bag,” Ryan offers.
“No! If you go asking around about my bag, people will get suspicious,” Isabella growls at him. “They’ll ask you questions about where I am and then everyone will know! Neither of you is leaving me!”
“Who did you come with?” Ryan asks. “I can at least find them to come help.”
“I didn’t come with anyone,” she growls. “I came alone. I just went through a breakup, remember?”
“Right, that’s absolutely fine, we’re here,” I say calmly as Ryan looks panicked at her fierce tone. “We can go out the back way of the hotel and get a taxi. Yeah? I’m sure whoever has your bag can look after it. Okay, let’s get moving, shall we?”
“Fine,” she says, pushing herself away from the door and then pointing her finger at both of us. “I cannot handle press attention right now. So if we see anyone, actnormal. Got it?”
Ryan nods. “Got it.”
“Got it,” I echo.
“Good. Now, do either of you know how to get out of here the back way?”
“That’s a very good question,” Ryan comments. “Harper?”
“Actually, yes I do.”
The two of them look at me in pleasant surprise.
