I rested my head on my pulled-up knees. My head had yet to touch the pillow even though I was mentally and physically exhausted. “I told them I would think about it. I wanted to talk to you first. Though . . .”
“Though what?”
“I’m not sure I really have a choice about the tour and romance conference. Lucas is holding the breach of contract over my head even though sales have skyrocketed, and we are renegotiating. I suppose it’s still the ace in his pocket, so I can’t blame him for using it.”
“Hmm,” Peter was mulling it over or maybe he was sleeping.
“You could come with me. We could make it an adventure in a fish bowl.”
His laugh sounded more tired than ever. “How long would we be gone?”
“Around three weeks. That includes the five days at the conference.”
“That’s a long time. This is a busy time of year for the business. Busier now with all the inquiries we’ve received by phone and online.”
“I know, and I hate taking you away from helping your family but . . . maybe it’s time to make a change.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you love your job?” I realized how we never really talked about that. Probably because he was a happy person in general and working for his dad made sense. But we didn’t need the income.
“It’s a good job.”
“That’s not the same as loving your job. And we have different options now. You could . . . run our foundation. Expand it to other countries like we’ve wanted to.”
He didn’t answer right away.
“Could you at least come for part of the trip?”
“Delanie, you know I want to be with you. If that were the only consideration I would say yes in a second. I don’t want to leave James and Dad high and dry.”
“I completely understand that.” I tried to hide my disappointment. This change was hard on all of us. I didn’t want to make it any harder, but I wanted to experience this with Peter. We were a team.
“We’ll work something out.”
“Will you think about the other thing too?”
“Yes.” He blew out a large breath. “I have a feeling we will be making a lot of changes in the near future.”
My head popped up. “Did something else happen since we talked?”
“I’m just tired, baby.”
“I know this is a lot to take in.”
“Just come home soon. I miss you in my arms.”
“I miss you too. My last taping is on Friday evening. I’ll catch a flight that night.”
“If I haven’t said it yet, I’m proud of you.”
I wasn’t sure for what. “I feel like I’ve made a mess of everything.”
“You’ve certainly livened things up, but you have from the first moment I met you. Sometimes it just takes me a while to catch up. Wait for me.”
“I’m not going anywhere, you know, except all over the country.”
He paused. “I’ll be there with you.”
“You will?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Suddenly the tightness in my chest since my secret had been exposed loosened. “I’ll tell Fiona to make travel plans for two, and alert Joan and all the other company reps.” There was no hiding the smile in my voice.
“As long as they aren’t staying in our room.”
His lighthearted tone made me feel even better. “I love you.”
“I love you. Good night.”
I threw myself back against the pillow and took a deep breath. Maybe this all wouldn’t be so bad. Except I had to be up in four hours to be on one of the most popular morning shows in the country and I couldn’t go anywhere anymore without being recognized. Then there were all the lies already being circulated. And let’s not forget I had turned my family’s life upside down. Sam had texted me earlier to ask if I minded if she granted an interview to the Chicago Tribune. She more than anyone had the press beating down her doors to talk to her. She had attention before, but thanks to me, again, it had exponentially increased. She tried to make me feel better and tell me that her publishers were over the moon about the free marketing and the bookstores where she had her signings were expecting huge crowds. I was sorry I was going to miss being there for her.
I just hoped Joan was right. The attention would taper off when a shiny new story stole the glaring spotlight. I would gladly step out of it. Was it awful for me to wish for Kim and Kanye, the real ones, to break up? I mean, what were the odds of them staying together forever anyway? Okay. That was awful. I didn’t wish for any couples to break up unless they really should. Maybe Brittany Spears could shave her head again. Hair grows back. And it would be bigger news than me.
Like Joan said, at least I had Peter.
I’d asked her about Lucas after dinner when we were going over the list of talking points she had given the morning show team. Not that they would stick to it. She was preparing me to answer the uncomfortable questions about Peter. I knew why everyone wanted to sensationalize that aspect of our lives, but there wasn’t anything there other than Hunter was born out of the angst of being in love with someone you thought you could never be with. That I would never share in any interview. It was one thing to tell Peter’s siblings and best friend Hunter was based on him, it was another to go into detail and tell the world how Hunter was born. That would be my secret. The world didn’t need to know everything about me. Just like Joan didn’t think I needed to know about Lucas. She did let slip that maybe in a different time and place it would have worked out between them.
I wanted to know why not in the here and now, but her look said if I asked she was going to stab me with the pen she was using at the time. I needed my hands, so I kept my mouth shut.
That was another worry. When in this circus was I going to find time to write? Chad and Lucas were very interested in when I would be turning in my manuscript. I respectfully reminded them if they wanted me to do a book tour it would delay the process. Lucas wasn’t thrilled about it and tried to say something until Joan got him with her stiletto again. How he walked after that meeting, I had no idea. Pride, probably. Chad was more dramatic about it, begging me to at least give him details. Unlike some authors, I refused to turn in an outline or synopsis because I almost never stuck to them. My characters led the story. Sometimes they even surprised me.
I curled up in Joan’s guest bed willing sleep to come. Like a lot of things in my life lately, it didn’t seem to be in my control. I hoped they had a good makeup artist at the studio tomorrow to cover up the bags under my eyes that were sure to be there.
~*~
Joan, while not what some would call a nurturer, put on a good act when needed. She smoothed some of my curls in the green room. “America is going to eat you up in this floral split dress. Can you get any more gorgeous?”
I rolled my eyes. I was only thankful the small red marks on my legs were fading from my one and probably only baking achievement. Makeup hid what was still there. “My mother would be abhorred you are objectifying me.”
“From what little you have told me of your mother, she doesn’t deserve the title, and there’s nothing wrong with being smart and beautiful as long as you remember to never let your beauty supersede your brains.” She gently swiped my hair. She was being uncharacteristically warm this morning, which I was grateful for. “I don’t believe that has ever been a problem for you.”
“Thank you, Joan.”
“Don’t get sappy on me, kid.” She gave me a pat on the cheek.
I took deep breaths and paced around. Now I knew why Sam was always so nervous before an interview. It felt like one of those dreams where you were naked in front of everyone at school. It was much easier doing this by email or being on the other end asking the questions. Which I wouldn’t be doing anymore. I was going to miss writing for the online magazine, but that was part of the negotiations last night. Lucas easily gave into that. He wanted me focused on Autumn Moone more than anyone, except Joa
n, who was ready to put a down payment on that Upper East Side townhome. I didn’t even want to know how much that was going to cost her.
A smartly dressed production assistant popped her head in. “Ms. Moone, you’re up next.”
I didn’t like being called Ms. Moone but didn’t correct her. It was better the world know her than Delanie, I supposed.
Joan walked out with me, to my relief. Her presence was more comforting than she knew. I signed a few autographs on my way to the set. I wasn’t sure I would get used to the starstruck looks on people’s faces when they met me. I did love hearing they loved my books, even if I wondered how genuine their compliments were or if they’d even read them.
This morning show crew was made up of two women, Isla and Rachael, and the token male, David. I met them all earlier during a commercial break. They were too effervescent for this early in the morning, but I supposed if they were dull no one would watch them.
The studio was open, and you could see a large crowd gathered outside behind where the hosts of the show sat. A high, semi-circle glass table almost made it look as if they were all at a coffee shop chatting at the counter. Except they had screaming fans with signs behind them and a camera crew capturing their every move. I shouldn’t have been shocked to see so many of those posters were declaring their love for Hunter Black and Autumn Moone, but I was.
I held my stomach, glad I hadn’t eaten. Not sure I could have if I had tried, even though there was plenty of food to be had.
I had a surreal moment when Isla began to introduce me. “The big breaking news over the weekend is the identity of Autumn Moone, the author of our favorite guilty pleasure, Hunter Black, has been revealed, and we have her exclusive first interview this morning. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Autumn Moone, she currently has the number one bestselling book, Black Day Dawning, and her Hunter Black series has sold over seventy-five million copies worldwide.”
Those numbers still boggled my mind.
“Until now,” Isla continued, “she’s been shrouded in mystery ever since she appeared on the scene four years ago. Today, though, we are going to get to know the woman behind one of the most popular series in the last ten years.”
That was my cue.
Joan squeezed my hand right before I went out. “Don’t trip, and smile like you mean it.”
That got me to smile as I walked out, acting as if this was no big deal and I was meeting friends for coffee. At least, that was what I hoped it looked like I was doing.
Isla, Rachael, and David, the super polished hosts, stood to greet me with hugs and handshakes. They were all perfectly molded with capped teeth and designer clothes, without a hair out of place. And they all must have trainers; their bodies were solid as rocks.
Now that I was close to the window wall behind the interview desk, the crowd went nuts. The jumping up and down and screaming was off-putting. I waved at the crowd before I had the pleasure of sitting in the middle chair. More like nerve-racking honor.
All the hosts flashed their dazzling smiles at me. Rachael, with tresses of gold, was first to speak her rehearsed opening question. “So, is it really you?”
They all laughed.
I had to join in and play my part. “You tell me,” I teased.
That made them laugh more.
“The question is, how and why did you keep it all a secret?” David asked.
I remembered to smile. “Well, the how I obviously didn’t do so well. As for the why, as much as I love hanging out with you, I’m much more comfortable behind a laptop screen.” I hoped they didn’t hear the fabrication in my voice.
They all gave sympathetic nods; Isla even patted my hand. “I imagine all this attention must be difficult for you.”
“It’s been interesting.” I tried to keep it light.
Rachael’s velvet brown eyes lit up as if we were at a slumber party and we were getting ready to play truth or dare. I supposed that’s exactly what we were playing. “But tell us, is it true that your secret was discovered by some partygoers at your home?”
I had to keep my composure thinking about those sneaky women. Honestly, what they did didn’t bother me as much as who was behind it all. I had to push down my feelings of betrayal. I had to remember to keep the smile on. “All I can say is it ended up being quite the party.”
“I heard it was more than a party.” Isla wasn’t going to let me off the hook. “Rumor is that it was a reception for the Sidelined Wife, Samantha Decker, who happens to be your sister-in-law.” She looked directly into the camera. “For those of you that don’t know the Sidelined Wife, she is a popular blogger and author in her own right of a cookbook out this week.” She had a copy of Sam’s book and held it up. “The world got to know her through Autumn Moone.” Isla turned back to me. “And you kept your identity secret even from her and your family, is that right?”
“Everyone except my husband, yes.”
“I suppose that would have been difficult.” David laughed. “Even though as husbands we can be clueless. I would hope, though, I would have noticed all the extra typing and, I imagine, larger bank account.”
They all waited for me to respond.
“Peter is very attentive and supportive of my hobby.”
“Hobby, she says.” Isla snickered. “That is quite the hobby. Seventy-five million books.”
Rachael leaned in. “Speaking of your husband. We have to know. Is it true you met while he was a priest?”
Her cohosts faked being shocked at such a notion.
Keep it cool, I reminded myself. I was here to get the truth out. I placed my hands in my lap and sat up tall. “We first became acquainted while he was a priest, but we didn’t start dating until he was laicized.” I hoped with everything I had they would move on. Maybe ask me some questions about my current release or what I was working on, but that was too much to ask.
Their faces all said they were skeptical, but they smiled right through it.
“What do you say to all the reports that he was forced to leave the priesthood because of your relationship?”
I say they are all garbage. “There is no truth behind them. People love a good story, which, frankly, I’m thankful for given my line of work. But honestly, we live boring lives. Peter works for his dad as a landscaper and I write. A lot of nights you can find us eating takeout and going for a walk or watching a movie on TV.”
“Boring.” David guffawed. “She writes New York Times bestsellers and she considers that boring.”
What I wouldn’t have done to have kept my life boring.
“How is the rest of your family responding to this revelation?” Rachael made sure she sounded like she was only asking because she was concerned about their welfare instead of being nosy. And like she didn’t know my husband’s grandma and her felon lover were giving half-cocked interviews.
I decided not to play into it. I knew they wanted me to. They wanted me to open Pandora’s Box. I flashed another fake smile. “My nephews’ Christmas lists have suddenly gotten longer.” That was partially true. They mentioned Sunday that they hoped we would finally get some good stuff at our house, and a pool.
The hosts all faux laughed, disappointed I didn’t give them a good segue to delve further into my personal life. I think they got the hint and finally got to some questions about my books. Everyone always wanted spoilers; none were given. Then they asked the question I knew was coming.
“Where did you get your inspiration for Hunter Black?”
In the moment, a thought came to me. All truthful but it revealed nothing. “When I write, I take a moment that impacted my life somehow in a profound way. It could be from my own experience or from someone close to me. It could even be an article or a blog. Anything that touches my soul. I use all those emotions and breathe them into my characters.”
Each set of eyes said, that’s it? Yes, that was all they would have of me, of Peter.
Once the interview was over, they surprised the audience o
utside with copies of my new book. I went out and helped distribute them, all in front of the camera. I posed for so many selfies with fans that my mouth hurt from smiling so much and my hand began to cramp from signing so many autographs. But I’d done my part for my publisher.
Autumn now had a life of her own. The question was, where would Delanie fit into it?
Chapter Twenty-Four
My wife is a babe on TV. Good job, honey. Call me later.
I can’t believe they showed my book! Now my publisher isn’t sure they ordered enough for my signing today. Wish me luck.
Did you get David’s autograph? He’s so cute. You should see the line for Sam.
I read all the texts from my family and smiled, but found myself missing all of them, especially Peter. I hoped he wasn’t too freaked about all the questions regarding him, but I didn’t have time to ask him. We were on our way to apparently one of the most prized photographers in all of New York, Simon Webb. LH Ink was completely redoing their web and social sites now. I was to be front and center. And IN TREND magazine had contacted Joan about me being on their November cover. It was a big deal since a magazine’s editorial calendar is pretty much set for the year, and exceptions were rare.
Simon Webb’s studio was in Greenwich Village, not far from Chelsea, where Joan lived. Chad and Fiona were meeting us there, as well as the VP of marketing, Shaylee. Everyone wanted to be where I was, like I was a new shiny toy to play with. I wondered if Lucas would come too. He was reluctant to say goodbye to Joan last night. I decided I wasn’t going to press Joan for any more information. I respected other people’s secrets, even if everyone seemed determined to know all of mine.
The studio had sent a car and driver for us early that morning and they were at our disposal for the day. This felt like someone else’s life. More so now when we pulled up in front of the trendy loft with a simple black and white sign on the door that read Simon’s. I was out of the fish bowl for a moment, but now I felt like a fish out of water. More and more I could relate to Sam. And more and more I felt guilty for pushing this life upon her. She did seem to handle it with grace, though. I wanted to emulate her. She would cope by writing a hilarious blog about how she was sorry she didn’t bring enough protein balls to hand out, or perhaps she would be more poignant and wax poetic about how inadequate she felt, but she would do it in a self-deprecating way that made you love her even more.
The Secretive Wife (More Than a Wife Series Book 2) Page 18
