Page 95 of Solid Ground

It takes a moment before the clapping stops, and Jessie wipes a tear from her cheek.

“Thank you,” she croaks. “I’ll make this quick.”

Taking a deep breath, she continues. “This has been such a hard journey that started when I was fifteen years old, and I can only hope that my story helps put a stop to abuse in our industry. I want to thank Adam Walton, who’s at home with the flu tonight, for helping me translate my story into the screenplay that gave it justice. And most of all, I want to thank my husband, Shane, for loving me unconditionally and giving me the strength to come forward.” She holds up the award. “I dedicate this to anyone who’s ever been hurt by the Hollywood casting couch or variations thereof. Thank you.”

She leaves the stage to rapturous applause. It wasn’t that long ago that speaking up about abuse would never have happened. I admire her strength and her honesty about everything she went through.

When Declan rejoins me, I grasp his arm. He kisses my temple, and I sigh contentedly.

Do I want to do this again? Not really.

Would I be happier curled up on the couch with Declan? Definitely.

But right now I’m just happy to be with him to celebrate our friend’s success.

Life couldn’t be sweeter.

EPILOGUE

ZOE

Three years later

My beautiful husband is fifty.The grey’s encroaching into his dark hair even farther, but he’s as gorgeous as he’s ever been.

And utterly dedicated to his family.

I thought he’d cave when the offers flooded in when his movie was released, but he turned his back on Hollywood in every way.

Except one.

Now he mentors young actors who find fame at an early age, and he teaches them what not to do. He and Jessie formed a foundation to help people abused by the system or who need guidance in difficult situations. It’sgrowing every year as more celebrities want to be a part of it to try to stop the sins of the past from carrying into the future.

The work is rewarding, but for Declan, nothing beats being a father.

Pushing myself back from my desk, I stand and walk into the kitchen. A loud squeal makes me look toward the corner of the garden where my husband sits at a table, making pretend tea with our girls.

A little over two years after Daisy, we welcomed Delilah to our little family.

Declan’s never shown any signs of returning to his old life—he relishes the new one too much to ever put it at risk. He’s such a doting dad, he puts me to shame. I don’t have the patience to sit and pour imaginary cups of tea from a plastic teapot. But Declan will be there until the girls get sick of it and want to move onto something else.

“I want to go on the swing. Push me, Daddy,” Daisy cries.

“Me too.” Delilah joins in.

Tea party abandoned, they run toward the swing set nearby. Declan helps them both into the swings and gives them a gentle push.

I shake my head and head back inside to my desk. They’ll be entertained by him for long enough for me to get some work done before dinner.

When the squealing stops, Delilah comes running in and heads straight toward me. I turn and open my arms as she leaps on my lap.

“Nap time,” she tells me.

“Is it?” I kiss her cheek. “Have you had fun with Daddy?”

“Swings.”

“I know, sweetie.”

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