Chapter 88: Chapter 88
Unbelievably lucky,
“My family was really upset. They don’t know anything about the world of celebrities. I’m worried most about how this is affecting my dad. He has a heart condition and he’s all the way out in Arizona, so it’s not like I can check on him every day. Even though I wish I could.” I run my finger over a scratch in the table and take a sip of my coffee.
“It is really hard when you’re apart from your family. I’m sorry. If you ever need someone to rant with, or to unload on, I’m ready, willing, and able,” Shonda says.
The rest of the women nod in agreement. What are the odds that this group of women would be able to understand the insanity that is my life right now? I feel unbelievably lucky, and like I’ve found women I can lean on.
Evans
I’m in my office adjusting figures for the Vegas property and thinking about Murphy. There aren’t words to describe how grateful I am that our relationship has healed, and that he was able to forgive and forget. Now, after what felt like years and years of drama, my family’s bonds are tighter and stronger than ever. Maybe my mom is wound a little too tight, but still. I’ve seen so many families ruined by dysfunction and am glad that the Leonard family isn’t one of them.
There’s a knock on my office door. “Come in,” I called. Elena walks in carrying file folders.
“Hey,” she says. “I thought you’d like to know that I finalized everything with the flower shop from yesterday.”
“Great,” I smile.
“Do you want to see the mockup of the arrangements before I send them to Rosa for approval?” she asks.
I wince. “I should, but I don’t know a rose from a daisy, so I’ll trust Ciara. Whatever she wants, she gets
Elena laughs. “Sounds good to me.” She turns to leave and then turns back around. “Oh, do you want me to make hotel reservations?”
Wait, what? “Am I going somewhere?” I ask, reaching for my phone to check my calendar.
Elena looks at me. “Arizona. Didn’t Ciara tell you?”
“Huh?” I ask. I’m so confused.
“Ciara is going to visit her parents next week. Yesterday she said she was booking flights.”
“Is something wrong?” I ask Elena. “Did she say anything more?”
“I guess Ciara’s parents were upset about the news stories,” Elena shrugs, looking uncomfortable. I remember how conservative Ciara’s mom is and I think I understand. They’re probably so confused, hearing all this crazy stuff about Ciara, and they already think of New York City as this big, weird place.
“I get it. I’ll talk to Ciara first, but I’m not sure I can clear my schedule to accommodate an Arizona trip. She’s probably just going out to reassure her parents that everything’s fine, and all the stories they’re seeing are huge lies.” I straighten a file on my desk. “Thank you for helping Ciara. I know it’s not really in your job description.” Elena really does go above and beyond. I should think about giving her a raise. Or see what my mom is paying her to plan the wedding, and find a way to give her an unofficial bonus. I know my mom isn’t the easiest to deal with in normal circumstances, let alone while planning a large-scale wedding.
“I’m happy to help you out in any way I can,”Elena says. She waves and walks out of my office, and I think again how glad I am that things aren’t awkward after the other night at the bar.
There’s another knock at my door, which then swings open to reveal . He has huge sunglasses on, which he takes off and puts in his pocket.
“Hey Murphy.” I invite him to sit down, but he turns around to shut the door first.
“Paparazzi outside again?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says. He sighs as he sits down, rubbing a hand over his eyes. “They started asking some questions.”
I groan. “Oh, is that “Ciara and is a hooker’ thing? Because you don’t have to worry. I’m mostly ignoring it like usual, and she’s going home to Arizona to reassure her parents that everything is fine—”
“It’s not about that,”Murphy says. He looks me directly in the eye. “They’re asking about when you shot me.”