Page 44 of You Only Live Once
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. ‘I’ve been beavering away writing all day, I haven’t even been on the web. Oh, this is awful.’
My agent gave me a look. ‘How is this awful? Firstly, you’re clearly out of the house, which is a good step. Secondly, you are with an utterly gorgeous man who looks like he was made for sin and to break hearts. He’s one of your iconic heroes come to life. So far, I’m not seeing any downside.’
‘He really isn’t. He’s just a friend from childhood. My brother’s friend, actually.’
‘Even more romantic – childhood sweethearts!’
‘Definitely not childhood sweethearts. You were right about the fact that he knows how to break a heart.’
She raised a heavily pencilled brow in interest.
‘Not mine,’ I hastened to add quickly. ‘But most of the young women in the village and some of the older ones too. I can’t believe this. Why can’t people keep their nose out of other people’s business? See, if I hadn’t gone out, none of this would have happened.’
‘Darling, you can’t stay locked behind those four walls forever. And who cares if people are talking about you? They’ll be talking about someone else tomorrow, believe me. In the meantime, this is great publicity for the upcoming film release and your books.’
‘This is my life, Zinnia. I don’t want it spread all over the papers, especially when it’s untrue. It was bad enough when I had my first big success and everyone dug up the circumstances of Mike’s death.’
‘Just don’t read it. It’ll blow over in no time. There’s always someone else to talk about.’ She gave the picture another glance. ‘I must admit, I was hoping it was true.’
‘Sorry to disappoint you.’
She looked back at me. ‘Like I said, you deserve happiness. That’s all I meant.’
I ran a hand back over my hair. ‘Yes, sorry. I know. I didn’t mean to snap. I just hate this side of things.’
‘I know. I’ll let you get back to your book, and I’ll talk to you soon.’ She blew me a kiss and I raised my hand in a wave and signed off.
* * *
When Jack walked through the door later that day, I took one look at his face and knew that he’d seen the article too.
‘I had nothing to do with it,’ I said quickly, my words tripping over themselves as they fell out of my mouth.
He toed off his boots, and crossed to where I was standing, worrying one thumb with the nail of the other. Jack reached out, taking my hands within his own as he came to stand close in front of me. Embarrassed, I kept my eyes focused on the button of his shirt level with my eyeline.
‘Look at me,’ he said, his voice soft but with an air of authority.
I stared at the button.
‘I said look at me.’
This time I obeyed, tilting my head up until I met his gaze.
‘I know you had nothing to do with it.’ A smile played on his lips. ‘I couldn’t think of anyone who would be less thrilled about the piece than you, so the idea that you would be behind it is laughable.’
‘I am sorry, though. I’m sure it’s not helped relations with your family. I didn’t even know about it until my agent rang me, telling me what great publicity it was for the new film.’
‘Is that what she thinks?’
‘Apparently so. Aligns with the epic romance of the book or something. Despite the fact that obviously none of it is true. I’m so sorry to drag you into all this. I’m sure it’s the last thing you need right now.’
He tilted his head, making a show of thinking hard, his hands still holding mine. ‘Hmm, being romantically linked with a beautiful, successful woman. Yes, I can see how you might think that would bother me.’
In lieu of my hands, which he still held, I bumped my shoulder against his chest. ‘Very funny. You know what I mean. Your mum’s going to turn purple when she sees this.’
‘She’s already seen it.’
‘Oh God. Has she really?’
