Second Chance

“I’ll be fine,” I tell her more to ease her worry than to be truthful.

She’s the one, this time, to give me a death grip hug.

When she releases me, she whispers, “Go, get out of here and see what the hell they want you to do.”

“Maybe it’s a shampoo commercial,” she adds with a smirk on her lips.

I playfully smack her arm. “Shut up,” I say jokingly and shake my head.

I know I’m already late and an emotional wreck, but at least I’m a little more lighthearted.

“I’ll see you when I’m done.”

“I have to check out and I don’t think my card will be active,” she tells me, the humor and playfulness gone. “I won’t go far and the minute you need me, call and I’m here.”

I nod my head, hating that she’s leaving and feeling more and more alone.

“Got it,” I tell her and give her one more hug. “Thank you for everything,” I say, squeezing her tight.

“Just remember,” she says before she leaves, “Everything happens for a reason.”

Chapter 17

Nathan

* * *

St. Gerard’s corporate rooms are exquisite; it’s obvious they spared no expense. From the beveled glass, mirrored pendant chandelier in the center of the room, to the coffered ceiling with disguised recess lights, everything reeks of wealth. The combination of the lighting creates reflections across the slick, dark mahogany table that takes up the entirety of the expansive room.

It’s gorgeous and meant to aid in getting deals done.

But with only four people in the sweeping space, it feels cold. Especially so as I stare across the dark table at Hally, who’s struggling to look me in the eye.

I crack my knuckles one at a time, listening to Nancy talk as she sifts through a stack of printed papers in front of her. Each an article or mention in a gossip column. Mixed in are photos of us that were leaked online from back in high school. Those are the only ones I even bother to look at.

“As I discussed with my client, her interview is causing a little speculation,” Nancy’s voice changes, strengthening and ringing clear in the large room. My eyes shift from Hally’s to hers.

I shrug my right shoulder and rest my forearm on the table. “I’m sure it’ll blow over.”

I give my response at the same time Hally says, “I’m sorry.” Her eyes dart everywhere like she’s in trouble. Her hands are beneath the table, and I can only imagine she’s toying with the hem of the shirt she’s wearing. It’s black with a deep V but more importantly, it’s almost sheer and in this lighting, I can make out the lace of her bra.

I imagine it was for the set because it’s not a shirt I could see Hally wearing. But then again, I haven’t seen Hally in her own clothes, or have I?

The inner thought makes my brow furrow and right then she glances at me.

“This is on the cusp of very good or very bad,” Nancy says but I refuse to break Hally’s gaze. She’s scared and that fact is terrifying me.

All she has to do is forget. For the love of God, if she could just forget what happened, everything would be perfect.

“I don’t want to hurt his career,” Hally says hesitantly, breaking eye contact with me, her voice lowering toward the end.

“Relax,” I tell her at the same time that Mark starts to talk. He stops when he hears me, waiting to see if I have more, but I don’t. I just listen to what they say and abide by it.

I motion for him to go on and he says, “I know you’re new to this Miss May, but everything’s going to be just fine. We’re here for precautionary reasons.”

Nancy nods her head and adds, “We’re paid to prevent the bad times from ever happening.”

“What’s the story between you two? You need to tell us if anything could be revealed that would cause … issues,” she says, making small circles with her hand in the air.

Hally’s quiet, so I answer for her.

“We had a rough breakup.” That’s as simple as it gets.

The room is quiet for a second too long, the tension growing.

“So, it was rough seeing him again,” Mark prompts Hally, but then Nancy cuts him off.

“You could quit right now on this set and there’s so much buzz around this that I could get you another gig like that,” Nancy says to Hally and snaps her fingers, although I’m sure it’s solely for my benefit, since it’s obvious the two of them have already talked.

“How are we spinning this?” Mark asks and it pisses me off. They’re blowing everything out of proportion.

“It was just one shaky interview,” I say and I don’t hide the irritation in my voice.

Nancy tosses a stack of pictures down in front of me, several taken throughout the last two weeks. She straightens one in front of me so I can see it clearly. It’s at eye level, obviously taken with a cell phone.