Page 27 of How He Got the Girl
“This isn’t at all how I remember it.” I groan, passing the phone to Shayna. “How do they know my name? How did they find me?”
She looks at it with Kelsey, and they all send me pitying looks.
“It looks like they didn’t know your name yesterday. They called you the mystery woman.” Alyssa takes her phone back and continues scrolling. “But it sounds like more footage was sent to tabloids today. You must’ve said your name in it.”
I think back to yesterday and grimace when I remember telling Griffin my full name during our conversation…while all the phones were around us. Shoot. It looks like I’m the one to blame for the paparazzi finding me.
No. Griffin is to blame for all of this. I wanted to leave right after I got my replacement drink, but he justhadto convince me to stay and talk for a few minutes. Now look at what’s happened.
Alyssa gasps. “No, she didnot.”
I groan, letting my face fall into my hands. “Do I even want to know?”
Kelsey grabs the phone from her, and her jaw drops. “She didnotcall our Mallory a homewrecker!”
“Do you think Griffin’s dating his costar?” I wouldn’t have even given him a five-minute conversation if he had a girlfriend.
“Some of the people in these comments seem to think so.” Alyssa shoots me a sympathetic look.
My brows furrow as I try to get a grasp on what’s happening right now. Yesterday, I was just an elementary school teacher who was excited for winter break to begin, but today, apparently, I’m Hollywood’s newest homewrecker.
Why would Griffin ask me if I was seeing anyone if he’s dating his costar? Why did I get pulled into all this? I spent three years trying to forget he existed, only for him to jump back in and upend my life again.
Kelsey stands and walks to our front windows, peeking out from around the curtains. “They’re still there. This is ridiculous. I’m calling Tyler.” She pulls out her phone.
Someone knocks on our back door.
We all gasp.
“Do you think it’s the paparazzi?” Shayna whispers.
“They’re not allowed onto private property, right?” Alyssa worries her bottom lip.
We all lock arms and take hesitant steps together into our kitchen, peering at the back door. I sigh in relief when I see Kelsey’s boyfriend, Tyler Reed, standing there.
Kelsey steps forward and unlocks the door. Tyler opens it and pulls Kelsey in for a kiss. It’s brief, but the look he shoots her afterward is filled with so much passion that I look away, feeling like I’m intruding on a private moment.
When he sees the rest of us staring at them, Tyler waves good-naturedly. “Good morning, ladies. I just got home from the store and came right over when I saw the zoo outside.”
“You’ve got that right.” Kelsey sighs and brings him up to speed.
Tyler looks at me. “Do I need to go kick some paparazzi butt for you?”
“Does this mean we’refriendsnow, Reed?”
“I don’t know.” He crosses his arms. “I distinctly remember you telling me you didn’t like me. But I suppose a truce could be in order.”
Joke’s on him, because I've liked him ever since he worked so hard to prove to Kelsey that romantic love canexist for her and that he was never going to let her go. But I’m not about to tell him that. “If you get rid of those paparazzi so I can get my bonuts, you’ll be on my friends list forever. Unless you break Kelsey’s heart.”
“I would never,” Tyler says in mock offense. He extends his fist toward me. “You have yourself a deal.”
I knock mine against it. He walks through our house and out the front door.
We all peek through the curtains and watch as Tyler approaches the paparazzi. He stands to his full height; his broad shoulders and stature look intimidating even from behind. I don’t know what he says to them, but within minutes, they’re moving off our sidewalk, getting back in their cars, and driving off.
By the time I’m eating bonuts with my besties, I can’t even enjoy them. There’s not a paparazzo in sight, but I don’t feel at peace. I can’t with the niggling sensation that this is only the beginning.
I’ve done everything I can to keep my mind off the articles since I read them. Yesterday, I caught up on all my laundry and cleaned the bathroom I share with Shayna. Now, I’m deep cleaning our kitchen.
