Nicole sat up, turning the volume on the TV to its highest level. What the hell? She and Reece may not be talking to each other, but they weren’t breaking up.
Reece was smiling for the cameras. “I’m sorry to say that Nicole and I are taking a break. We’re still friends and talk frequently, but we have decided not to pursue a relationship at this time.”
The remote dropped to the floor. Had he just jilted her on national TV?
He was still talking. “The demands of being in the spotlight with me became too much for her. I wish her all the best. I hope she finds her happiness.” He moved on up the carpet, stopping again for his fans.
Son of a bitch! He did jilt her.
The phone rang. She numbly reached over, picking it up. “Hello?” she answered, her voice low in shock.
“Tell me it isn’t true, Nicole. I’m planning an enormous wedding, and you’re calling off your engagement? What will people think? Why are you so set in making a laughingstock of us all again?”
That did it. The tears began falling as her mother berated her for breaking off a relationship she didn’t even know was in trouble.
“Thank you for asking how I am, Mom. Thank you for caring so much about my feelings, that the first words out of your mouth are about the stupid wedding and how others will see you. It’s good to know where I rank in your priorities.” She hung up quickly, calling Audrey. “Cancel the rest of my interviews and tour stops. I’m not answering questions about this. I’m not going to make myself fodder for the tabloids anymore.”
“I’ve already started doing it. This is a big blow, Nicole. I wish you had told me.”
“I can’t tell you something I didn’t know myself.”
There was a pause. “Do you mean he did this on his own? You didn’t have any idea about it?”
“That’s right; I’ve just been blindsided.”
“What are you going to do?”
“There’s nothing I can do. The fairytale has come to its end. The evil sorcerer has won. Yea Brothers Grimm!”
There was a rueful chuckle. “You’re taking it awfully well.”
“That’s because it hasn’t sunk in yet, but don’t worry, eventually I’m going to let loose, drowning us all in my tears.”
“Nicole, I want you to pick up a pen and write it out. Every little bit of feeling you have, put it on paper.”
She was getting angry. “I don’t want to write about this. I want to fly to London to castrate a certain Englishman.”
Audrey sighed. “The writing is meant to curb those impulses.”
Nicole glared at the TV screen as he disappeared inside the theater. “I hear you.” She pressed her lips together. “I think I’m going to disappear for a while.”
There was worry in her editor’s tone. “Where will you go?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere he won’t find me, not that he’ll be looking.”
“Will you keep me updated?”
“Yes, I’ll let you know where I am.” She hung up, taking a deep breath. What was she going to do now? She glanced down at her finger, beginning to laugh.
“At least I won’t have to wear this monstrosity any longer,” she swore, trying to rip it off her finger. The damned thing wouldn’t budge. That figures.
She kept the hotel phone off the hook, powering down her cell as she packed her suitcase and left. When she arrived at the front desk to check out, there were over ten messages waiting for her from Reece. She threw them into the trash without reading them.
“If my sister returns, tell her not to bother looking for me. I’ll resurface when I’m ready to be found.”
“Yes, ma’am. We’re sorry to hear about your break up, ma’am.”
Her smile was brittle. “Don’t be. It wouldn’t have worked out anyway.”