When the door shuts behind them, the silence feels heavy and welcome at the same time. Julie exhales, slumping against the counter like she’s been holding her body upright with willpower.
“Alone at last,” I mutter, crossing the room to pull her into my arms.
She lets herself melt into me for a long while before pulling back to meet my eyes.
“Alone except for the countless casseroles, flowers, and half a dozen military-grade security cameras.”
“Isn’t it romantic?” I ask, kissing her forehead with a smile.
She snorts. “Okay, let’s get this interview over with before I lose my very last nerve.”
I grab my laptop and lead her to the couch. She curls into me, her legs tucked under her. Julie’s chin rests on my shoulder as I open the email from LadyLux. A neat list of questions waits in my inbox, half thoughtful, half nosy in that classic LadyLux way.
Julie groans when she sees the first one. “Who is this person?”
I grin. “Well, that’s the thing. No one knows because she’s anonymous. The rumor is that she’s a widowed socialite who’s part of all the elite circles. She writes the truth though, and she’s fair, even when many I run with don’t deserve it.”
“Really?” Julie asks.
“Yes. I’ve tried to figure out who it is, and I think I almost have it pinpointed, but I’ll never tell her secret.”
“Who do you think it is?” Julie looks up at me.
“One of my friend’s wives.”
She bursts into laughter. “Scandalous.”
“There’s something about the way she watches that makes mebelieve it’s her. However, her husband is an asshole, and I don’t want to stir the pot,” I say.
“Wow.” She inhales. “Is this how your life is?”
“Sometimes,” I admit. “Other times, it’s quiet. But enough about that. We should probably get started.”
I read the first question out loud. “How are you coping with such a personal violation becoming public?”
Julie rolls her eyes. “How does she think I’m coping?”
“Some of this will be shit, but she has a way with words, I promise. Just speak your truth,” I say, fingers hovering over the keys, ready to type whatever she says.
“All I can do is survive. Having intimate and private photographs of me displayed in such a crude manner has been tough. There was a time when I thought I’d marry that man, and every day, I’m thankful I didn’t. I refuse to let his jealousy try to ruin and sabotage me. I have a strong support system—my friends, family, and the entire town of Cozy Creek—and I’m focusing on that instead of what Craig did to me.” She tilts her head. “How’s that?”
“That’s good. I’m adding on the end …casserole. Lots and lots of casserole.” I laugh.
“I’m excited about eating it,” she admits.
“Me too,” I tell her. “After we do this, we’re digging in.”
“Deal!” She bumps her shoulder into me.
I read the next one. “How has this impacted your relationship with Nicolas Banks?”
Julie’s cheeks flush. “Oh no. Here we go.”
I smirk. “Should I send her our sex tape?”
She swats my chest. “Nick! It is seriously too soon to even joke about that.”
“Sorry. I’m not sharing it with anyone other than you. I give you my word.”
