Page 135 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“But your anxiety...”
“I know.” My heart squeezes and pain ripples through my chest. “I know. I have to let him go.”
“Do you need me to call Dad to arrange a flight home?”
“No, Randall will do it.”
“Okay, let me know as soon as it’s booked.”
I nod against the phone. “I will.”
“Love you, Josie-posey.”
I crack a tear-stained smile. “Love you too.”
After I end the call, I stand and shake out my hands. Without looking in a mirror, I make my way into my bathroom to freshen up. I don’t even want to know how bad my mascara is running.
When I turn off the water, and dab my face dry with a hand towel, my nose scrunches up at a foul smell. I turn toward the bathroom window and sniff the air.
Eww.
It’s cigarettes.
Unable to help myself, I step on the closed toilet seat, and soon hear the unmistakable sound of Erika’s voice. As I peer out the half-open window, she and Randall are out on the terrace as Erika drags on a cigarette.
“We’re so close,” Erika says, gesturing with the cigarette between her fingers. “We get him back into the studio, then he’s back at work.”
“But he hasn’t shaken that stutter.”
“I know, and the headaches are going to derail production.”
“The director will have to keep cutting if Wyatt’s holding the side of his head through a scene.”
“Bright side, he doesn’t stutter while he sings.” Erika takes another drag. “Bad side, his music underperforms. We only keep Wyatt signed because the movies do phenomenally well. What are we supposed to do with him if he can’t keep it together on set?”
“Hopefully Portia can get him back on track.”
Erika sighs. “Lord, I’m hoping so.”
Erika butts out the cigarette, and she and Randall walk out of view.
I lower myself off the toilet seat and onto the tiled floor below.
I’m in the way.
I was brought to Cherry Beach to help him get released from the Clearview Clinic and adjust to his lifestyle. I’ve done that, and I can’t help anymore.
Circle 8 has brought Portia back from Europe to help Wyatt. They’re a dream team when together. I can’t be selfish. I need to let Wyatt get back to what he does best.
Portia’s here to step in.
I need to bow out.
Carefully taking in my mirrored reflection, the damage isn’t as bad as I thought. With a quick touch up, I ready myself to join the others.
With a deep breath, I force myself out of the hallway.
“Huh?”
