by Wendy Smith
“Next time we come here, we’ll bring Amelia.”
I shoot Josh the side-eye. “Were you just reading my mind?”
“Something like that.” His smirk is unbearable.
“And what’s this about coming to stay with us for a few weeks? Don’t you have another project after this?”
He captures one of my curls and loops it around his finger. “Nothing that’s going to stop me being with my girl.”
I sigh. “I’m right here. Give a girl a warning, will you?”
“I’m sorry. Amelia was right there, and—”
“We’re her parents. We need to discuss this first. You can’t just come and go out of her life like that.”
He drops his hand.
Letting out a sigh, I take his hands in mine. “And I love you for it, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t just drop the news without talking to me first. If something happens and you can’t make it, how hurt do you think Melly will be?”
He searches my expression. “I won’t let you down, Delaney.”
“You won’t let me down—but you’re not in charge of your schedule. What if it changes again?”
His face falls, and I know I’ve made my point.
“Why do you think I never got serious about anyone else, Josh? She can’t have her heart broken. I won’t allow it.”
He nods. “Are we okay?”
“Of course. But please, if you’re going to announce your plans, let me know first? I don’t want to build her up only for her to be hurt.”
Josh lets go of my hands and wraps his arms around me. “I promise. And I’ll be there for her, and for you. It’ll be a lot easier if I can move you two to LA.”
“Will it? You haven’t been back to LA since you left us last time.”
He nods. “I know, but I’ve been thinking a lot about how after this next movie, I don’t have any firm commitments. Reece and I have been talking about working on our own project, and I thought I might take a couple of years off to do it.”
My mouth falls open. “You haven’t stopped working since your first movie. Are you feeling okay?”
He buries his face in my hair. “Being with you again changed my life. All I could think about was work before, and which projects were worth my time. Now, all I want is to be with my family and do what I want to do.”
We’re more important to him than anything else.
I’m speechless. What the hell do I say to that?
“Get dressed, and let’s go and enjoy the night.” He pecks me on the lips and turns to the wardrobe.
I spring out of bed and pick a dress out of my bag. Time for a shower and the good underwear. Might as well go all out.
Tonight, we’ll be seen in public properly for the first time, and my stomach’s a mess of butterflies just thinking about it.
But I deserve this. And so does Josh.
We can’t hide forever.
The restaurant takes my breath away.
It’s not crazy fancy, but it’s all candlelit with what look like very comfortable chairs. That’s all I care about apart from the food.
“Mr Carter.” The maître d’ greets Josh as if they’re old friends. “This way, please.”
People turn and stare as we’re shown to a table. It’s weird, but I hold my head high and Josh grips my hand tight as we walk.
The maître d’ pulls my chair out, and I take a seat with Josh sitting opposite.
“Like it?”
“It’s lovely.” I lean over a little. “People are looking at us.”
“They will. They’ll see my beautiful girlfriend and they’ll all be jealous.”
My cheeks burn. “Stop it.”
“It’s true. I’m so crazy about you, Delaney. I’m not sure I can ever show you how much.”
“You do all the time.” I sigh. “We hit a bump in the road, but it doesn’t mean we’re going to fall apart. We’re too solid for that. And I think if you come and spend that time with us you told Melly about, it’ll help too.”
“I’ll be there. Wild horses wouldn’t keep me from the two of you.”
“Your menus.” A waiter hands them to us, and gives Josh the drinks menu.
“Delaney? What did you want to drink?” Josh asks.
“Something sweet and bubbly would be nice.”
He nods, making some selections from the wine list, and the waiter disappears while we look at the food menus. My eyes nearly pop out when I realise there are no prices. The thought of that makes me hyperventilate.
“Are you okay?” Josh asks. “Choose whatever you want.”
“There aren’t any prices.”
He smiles. “It doesn’t matter. We won’t be washing dishes.”
I laugh. “That’s not what I mean. It’s just … weird.”
“Next time, I’ll take you somewhere not so weird.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining.” I can’t help the grin on my face. This whole thing is crazy. We haven’t actually been on a date since we first went out years ago. But it’s nice, and it’s sweet, and this is Josh’s way of telling the world that I’m his girl.
Which just makes me want to jump across the table and straddle him.
But I don’t think this is the kind of place to do that.
Thirty-Nine
Josh
Despite being prepared, our restaurant visit manages to escape the press, and I’m glad for the reprieve because saying goodbye to Delaney at the end of the week was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in forever.
I hate being apart again. And I’m already counting the days until we’ll be together.
I’m back on set when my phone rings. At least we’re not in the middle of nowhere this time, and I can receive the call.
“Josh.” Tonya’s tone is clipped. “We’ve got a situation.”
At least I didn’t lose my publicist when I ditched Mac. She and Mac used to disagree about literally everything, but she’s never done me wrong. And she and Sara are tight which made the decision to switch to Reece’s manager really easy.
I wave to Aaron, the director, and step inside my trailer.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m trying to squash a story about your daughter.”
My heart pounds. It was only a matter of time, but I’d hoped that we’d be able to ease into it.
I grab a chair and sit down, wishing I could hold Delaney. It’s been three weeks, and I miss her like crazy.
“Is it about Delaney too?” Maybe someone from Glenderry said something. It was always possible.
“The headline is Josh Carter’s Secret Love Child. What do you want me to do? I’ve spoken to a lawyer already and we could argue that they’re putting a minor at risk. They have photos.”
I nod. “Do whatever you have to do. Delaney’s going to kill me. She knows what’s coming. Amelia isn’t fair game. I haven’t even told my parents yet.”
She lets out a sigh. “I suggest you tell them in case we can’t get this pulled.”
“You’re right. Of course. I’ll call Delaney first and let her know too. Please keep me updated.”
“Will do.”
Shit.
Every time I think we’ve hit a rough patch, I think that’s as bad as it’s going to get. I should have had a better plan for this, but I thought in their small town they’d be safe. When I find out who’s been digging …
I dial Delaney.
“Hey. Haven’t I already heard from you today? I’m not complaining, but we’re going to have to talk about your clinginess.” She teases.
It takes a moment for me to gather my thoughts. It takes that long for her to figure out something’s wrong.
“Josh? What’s going on. You’re still coming to spend time with us, right? Because I don’t want you to let Amelia down, and—”
“I’ll be there. There’s something else I have to tell you.”
She lets out a sigh of relief. My gut clenches knowing that’ll be short-lived.
“The
media have got hold of a story about Amelia. And photos.”
Delaney gasps. “What?”
“My publicist called me because she got wind of it. She’s working with—”
“I don’t want her picture up there, Josh. I’ve seen some of the shit people have said about me. I’m a big girl. But she’s five.” She lets out a strangled sob and it damn near breaks my heart to hear.
I close my eyes. The last thing I ever want is for either of my girls to hurt, and Delaney’s one hundred percent right.
“My lawyer’s trying to get them to stop publication. I don’t know how anyone got hold of this, except …”
“I know it’s not you.” She’s still upset, but at least she’s not crying. I don’t ever want her to cry.
“I agree. I’m so sorry. I wish I could undo all this.”
She sighs. “I guess it was only a matter of time. Doesn’t make it any easier. How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure, but they’re headlining it as my secret love child.”
I know she’s back to being Delaney when she snorts. “I guess it wasn’t much of a secret when I lost the plot at Jessie in the middle of the diner.”
And then she does such a turn-around that it makes my head spin. “You know what? Fuck them. Let them say their worst. We’re your family even if some narrow-minded arseholes get all pissy about it.”
I’m not sure what else to say. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. And I know we’ve still got to work everything out, but nothing is going to stop us all from being together. One way or another.”
“You’re so hot when you’re angry.”
“I’m hormonal because it’s that time of the month, and I’m in bed with a hot water bottle. But still, fuck them.”
I grin. “You’re the best. I’m not sure what my parents are going to say. I haven’t told them about us yet. Or Amelia. I wanted to be us for a while before I did that.”
“Well, if they’re not happy with me or your daughter or both of us, fuck them, too.”
All I can do is laugh. “What would make you feel better?”
“A large block of chocolate and no arseholes putting my daughter in the media.”
“I can help with one of those. Trying to stop the other.”
She lets out another loud sigh. “You can only do your best.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do. I’ll go order a shipment of chocolate for you and call my mother.”
“Let me know how it goes. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
After sending the biggest bouquet of red roses with a gift basket full of chocolate, I dial my mother. I try not to call her constantly with updates. And with so many things changing in my life, there are a few I need to catch her up on.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Joshua. It’s so good to hear from you.” There’s a touch of sarcasm in her voice, and I know it’s because I haven’t been in touch as regularly as she’d like.
“Sorry I haven’t called. I’ve got something I need to tell you about. I wanted to tell you this in person when I got back to the States, but the media have hold of it, and I don’t want you to find out via the tabloids.”
She laughs softly. “Is this about the girl you’re seeing? She looks lovely.”
I close my eyes. “Do you remember right before I got my first big film that there was a girl I was really interested in?”
“The one who disappeared?”
“Yeah.”
She huffs. “I do. She nearly derailed the opportunity that launched your career with that little stunt.”
Shit. She’s right. I was a confused mess between getting what I always wanted, and losing the person I thought I’d share it with. I’d moped for weeks.
“Well, that’s Delaney. The woman I’m with now.”
“Oh, Josh.”
“It’s a long story, but I need you to know it really wasn’t her fault back then. It was all a big misunderstanding.”
There’s silence for a moment. “I hope she doesn’t do it to you again. Lord knows, you don’t need it with the stress I’d imagine you’re under splitting away from Mac.”
“Mac can go to hell. He tried to buy Delaney off, and she refused. And there’s something else you should know. Something I need to tell you before you read it online.”
She doesn’t answer, but I’m sure she’s processing what I just said. And I don’t want to wait any longer to tell her because it’s only a matter of time before some arsehole journalist contacts her.
“I have a daughter. Delaney and I do.”
“What?”
“Her name is Amelia, and she’s as cute as a button. I’ll send you photos. She’s five.”
“You have a daughter?” she whispers. “What? How?”
“Delaney had a baby.”
“Are you sure she’s yours?”
“You only have to look at her to know. Trust me on that.”
“Josh.” There’s so much emotion in her voice. I hate dumping this on her from so far away, but if Tonya is right, the news is about to drop and I can’t have my mother finding out about Amelia that way.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. A reporter’s got hold of the story, and I’m trying to stop it to protect Amelia, but I really needed to tell you in case they run it.”
She lets out a long breath. She’s used to the crazy things happening to me, but this has to be the most out-of-the-blue thing I’ve landed on her.
“Please send me the photos. We’d love to see her. I’ll work out how to tell your father.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Oh, this is not over, Joshua. We will be having further conversations about how you hid this from me.”
I swallow hard. Here comes the even harder part.
“I didn’t know. I’ve only found out these past few months. And I wanted to see how things went with Delaney before pulling her into my insanity.”
Her sigh says everything. “I’m not sure how to feel about it. She kept your baby from you and she almost ruined your career, but now you want to be with her?”
“She tried to tell me, Mom. I have all the proof of that I need.”
“Oh, Josh.”
“Anyway, I have work to do and I’ll call you later. But I’ll just text you through a couple of photos of Amelia. You’ll fall in love with her. I swear. She’s amazing.”
“I can hear how much you already love her. Please send them. I want to see my granddaughter.”
After ending the call, the first thing I do is pick out some photos of Amelia. One by herself, one with me, and one with both Delaney and I. Pania took that one. The three of us are holding hands with Amelia in the middle, and while she’s looking straight at the camera, Delaney and I are sharing a smile.
There’s so much love in that photo, and it’s one of my favourite photos of us.
I press send and Mom texts me back moments later.
Mom: She’s beautiful. And that last photo is wonderful. I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of your story.
At least that crisis is averted.
But there’s still the story to come if that runs, and dealing with any fallout.
The story runs before the end of the day.
They don’t muck around with putting it up on the web, and it’ll be in print by morning.
Clear as a bell, there are three photos of Amelia. She’s so beautiful. There’s a big smile on her face, and in one of them she’s skipping along beside her mother.
Fuck.
I’m so close to us being a family, and this is Delaney’s biggest fear.
I can’t blame her. I’ve seen some of the comments on social media over the story about me and Delaney. I don’t know what motivates people to be so mean. This time around, I’m sure a lot of the bile will be aimed at Delaney rather than Amelia, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
Tonya puts out a brief statement in case anyone else comes knocking.
>
Josh is upset and angry that his family has been used in this way. There is no secret love child, but a family that he didn’t want the limelight focused on. Delaney and Amelia should be entitled to their privacy, and no more interviews will be granted to any news organisation which publishes this story.
It’s simple, but who knows how effective it will be?
I do want to know where those photos came from.
Forty
Delaney
The whole weekend is an emotional rollercoaster.
There’s a part of me that says Josh and I can’t be together. Not if the cost is our daughter. But I can’t walk away. I’m in way too deep, and there’s an equal part of me that thinks that staying will keep her safe.
It’s so hard to think when we’re apart, but equally hard when we’re together.
I’m glad Josh got me to turn off my social media notifications. Every man and his dog wants a piece of our story. He’s got people to handle this stuff, but if Joe Blogs reporter from another trashy rag tweets me again, I’m going nuclear.
He got off lightly in the article. I’m made out to be some kind of gold-digger who’s come back for what she can get. I know it’s not his fault, but I think if I wasn’t this strong, I’d be a puddle of tears on the floor.
Maybe the angry hormone surges help rather than hinder me right now.
I feel under bombardment, and I’m not sure how I’m going to face the week ahead, but I have to push through this because our family is worth it.
Early Monday morning, there’s a knock on the door, and I smile when I see the courier with a huge bouquet of roses and basket full of all kinds of chocolate goodies. Josh.
“Mummy, look at all the chocolate.” Melly’s eyes are huge.
“Your father sent them.”
“They’re from Daddy?”
I gather her into my arms and hug her tight. “They are from Daddy. Want a little bit before you go to school? Just don’t tell anyone you had chocolate with breakfast.”
She giggles.
I start pulling things out. This didn’t come cheap. I pick up my phone and flick off a quick text to Josh.
