Chapter 69

Arthur put me in touch with his producers the next day, and I spent part of the morning on a business call with them.

“We really want you on the show,” Mr. Cooper, the creator of the show, said. His co-producer, who introduced herself as Irene, nodded along with him. “Arthur has said wonderful things about you, and your work with Freyja has impressed us.”

“Thank you,” I said.

It felt weird to hear their compliments, and I had to remind myself to just accept them without being weird about it. I tended to be hard on myself, but I’d worked hard these past months. I deserved to have that hard work recognized.

“It really impressed me how you stood up for yourself,” Irene added. “I think it’s great that you’re speaking out about the double-standards a lot of women experience. Your dating history and relationship status are your business. We’re not interested in adding to the tabloid bullshit…pardon my French.”

I nodded. “That’s a relief.”

“What we’re really big fans of are your vlogs,” she continued. “You’ve reached so many women who genuinely connect to you and your content. That’s what we want to showcase on the episodes you’d be doing with us.”

“So, what would that look like?”

They told me some ideas they had. They mostly wanted me to do a few segments about working out and eating well while traveling. Something that would pull in and resonate with the audience I’d already created.

Little did they know, I’d be working out and eating well while pregnant soon, too. The thought sent a jolt of shock through me. It still didn’t feel real. Three babies! It probably wouldn’t feel real until I was the size of a bowling ball.

“That all sounds great,” I said at the end of the call, my mind reeling. I was having a harder time coming up with reasons not to go with Arthur.

What was holding me back?

“I need some time to think about it,” I added.

“We understand,” Irene said, “but we need to have an answer by the end of the week.”

“Sure.”

I said goodbye, then hung up. I didn’t want to rush into anything, but the more I thought about the opportunity, the more excited I felt. I’d never had much of a chance to travel. What if this was the last chance before I had three kids to take care of?

I sank back in my desk chair and looked down at my flat stomach. The sudden sorrow I felt crowded out the excitement. Barnett wanted nothing to do with me. I couldn’t reach him. How was I supposed to tell him I was pregnant?

I was alone in this, and soon I’d be a single mother. Maybe going out there with Arthur was exactly what I needed. At least I wouldn’t be completely by myself. Even though we weren’t a couple, I knew Arthur would take care of me.

The minute I got to work a swarm of paparazzi started running toward my car. I carefully parked the Aston Martin and turned the engine off.

I didn’t really know why I kept driving it. Maybe because I knew it was only a matter of time before Barnett came to take it back and I wanted to enjoy it while I still could. I wasn’t much of a car person, and I would have happily driven my Corolla, but it reminded me of him. A part of me still wasn’t ready to let go.

If only I’d realized how I felt sooner. What would have happened if I didn’t have that misdiagnosis holding me back? I had real feelings for Barnett, and now he’d never know.

The thought made tears pool in my eyes, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. Someone knocked on the window as more people surrounded the car. How was I going to get to the building with this many people blocking the way?

More people knocked on the windows and I jumped. I suddenly appreciated the fact that the car was bulletproof. No one was getting in here.

There were cameras already trained on me through the window. The sounds were muffled, but I could still hear them hurtling questions at me.

I double-checked that all the doors and windows were locked, then got my phone from my purse with shaking fingers. Arthur picked up on the first ring.

“Anna, where are you? We need to get started soon.”

“I’m in the parking lot.” My voice sounded shaky, and I took a careful breath. “A bunch of paparazzi have surrounded my car. I’m scared to get out.”

“Okay, I’m coming down with security.”

He hung up before I could argue with him. I didn't want the paparazzi to turn on him, but I was also grateful. At least the security would keep them away from me. They really were vultures.

One man hit my window again, and I shrank away. He stuck his face against the glass, and I almost screamed. Hot tears rolled down my face. I hated this feeling. My heart was beating so fast, I could feel it in my throat, but I knew it didn’t matter how I felt. Even if I pleaded with them, they still wouldn’t leave me alone. It didn't matter to them if they made me feel unsafe. As long as they got their story.

It didn’t take long for the security to arrive. They parted the crowd and Arthur stalked through, his face slightly red. He stopped at my door while the men and women he brought with him forced the cameramen back.

I unlocked the door, and Arthur opened it for me. I took his hand and allowed him to help me from the car.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes roving over my tear-streaked face.

“Yeah, sorry. I just got a little freaked out.”

“Don’t apologize.” He put his arm around my shoulders and directed me to the back of the car, where I had my things for the day.

“I’ve got that,” I said.

He just shook his head and handed my things to one of the guards. He nodded at something Arthur said, then strode toward the building.

“Come on,” Arthur put his arm back around my shoulders. The paparazzi were still yelling at me, asking me questions about my relationship status.

“Are you dating Arthur Stardust?”

“What happened between you and Barnett Cogsworth?”

“How do you feel about the news of Barnett’s reconciliation with his wife?”

I tried to ignore them, but the questions were like knives. Each one was like getting stabbed.

“Ignore them,” Arthur murmured as he directed me toward the building. I allowed him to walk me, more tears threatening to spill. The pictures of us walking together would be all over the internet by lunch. I just knew they were going to spin this somehow.

When we finally got upstairs, I knew what I had to do. I didn't want to deal with the tabloids anymore. It was just too stressful and now that I was pregnant, I couldn’t afford the added stress.

“Arthur?”

He turned to look at me and gave me a reassuring smile.

“Just take a minute, then we can get started.”

“No, I was just going to say…” Was I really doing this?

Arthur looked like he wasn’t breathing.

“I talked to your producers this morning.” I hesitated a moment, then set my jaw. This was the right thing. “I’ve decided to go with you.”

A wide smile emerged on his face. “Really?” He said it like it was too good to be true.

I smiled back. “Really.”