My mouth snapped shut again, as I realized that what he was saying was true. “It absolutely played a role, but Blake isn’t the reason I walked away from the women. I walked away because, if Blake’s life has taught me anything, it’s that life is short, and you can’t live it with regrets. I could have moved forward with any of those women, but I would have been choosing them for all the wrong reasons.”
Bart twisted his lips. “Right. But maybe we can word it differently. Like—” He turned to Vince, who was completely tuned into the young producer’s words. “With the anniversary of Blake’s death approaching, Liam was triggered, then he froze when it came to the thought of settling down.”
Vince pounded a fist on the table and beamed back at Bart. “Yes. That’s bloody brilliant. And true, right, Liam?”
I couldn’t argue with a single thing they had said. I nodded.
Bart clapped me on the back. “The cast of women will have sympathy for Liam’s situation. So will the viewers. And it continues the storyline of how Liam has never been able to settle down, but there’s hope for you still because you believe that the one is out there.”
At the same moment as he finished his sentence, Chelsea’s face popped into my head. The thought of settling down didn’t seem like such a bad thing when I thought of her. I let out a heavy breath, finally feeling closer to the finish line than I had in a long time. Soon, the nightmare would be over.
Vince sat back and smiled. “There’s only one thing we need to discuss.”
The room grew quiet as Vince snapped his fingers, and his assistant jumped out of his seat and handed his boss a manila folder. Without even looking at it, he slid the folder to Bart at me.
My heart sank as I watched Vince’s expectant expression focus on Bart as he opened the folder. “Oh, bloody hell.”
I didn’t want to look. I didn’t want to even entertain the idea that something could make this situation any worse than it already was. But when Bart slid the opened folder in front of me, I didn’t have a choice but to look down. Bloody hell is right.
The top photo was of Chelsea and me sitting on a blanket in the park. She was between my legs, and I was kissing her on her cheek. My heart caught in my chest as one by one I went through the photos to see that whoever had followed Chelsea and me to the park had caught every single private moment between us—our kisses, our shaved ice, the way I’d looked longingly into her silver-blue eyes before she’d kissed me back. God, I missed her.
Anger boiled in my chest before my eyes snapped to Vince. “You had me followed?”
“Who is this, Liam?” Bart cut in.
“Her name is Chelsea Banks,” Vince said. “She’s the nanny for Simon and Bridget Hogue.”
“What?” Bart asked, directing his question at me. “The doctor you were staying with in Providence? Why haven’t you mentioned a bloody thing about her?”
“It was no one’s business. I don’t want Chelsea dragged into all of this.” My eyes snapped to Vince. “Have these been made public?”
Vince shook his head. “No. These are the only photos I know about, and I don’t plan to let them out of my hands.” Everyone in the room gave a collective sigh of relief.
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Are you sure?” Vince asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he worked through his thoughts aloud. “Talk about a shocking twist. Viewers would eat this up. Liam walks away from the show because he doesn’t believe he’ll ever find love. He runs away to Providence then falls in love with a nanny?” He let out a boisterous laugh, his eyes wide. “The drama couldn’t have been better if we’d planned it.” Then he turned to address my producer. “What do you think, Bart?”
I shook my head hard, not giving Bart a chance to respond. There was no point. “No, absolutely not. Chelsea is off-limits. End of discussion.”
“But—” Bart started.
I stood, cutting him off, slamming my palms on the conference table. “The answer is no. I won’t consider her involvement for a moment. Do not ask me again.” With a curt nod, I made my way to the exit, ending the conversation.
32
Chelsea
The shrill of my phone ringing yanked me from a deep sleep and a very good dream, but when I saw the name that appeared on my caller ID, I smiled wide and rushed to answer. “Perfect timing. I was just having a very exciting dream about you and Willy.”
Liam’s deep chuckle reverberated over the line, and my heart practically melted at the sound. “Now that is an image I can go to bed with. Thanks, love.”
A yawn followed his words, causing me to frown. “Have you slept at all?”
“Not a wink. It’s been nonstop since I arrived. Sorry for not ringing earlier. I’m surprised production hasn’t taken my phone by now.”
“They can do that?”
“They can, and they will. My guess is Bart will take it before my interview today.”
I chuckled. “Ahh, Bart. I bet he was a joy to see again.”
Liam snorted. “I refer to him as my handler when we’re together. Today was a strange day. As annoying as the bloke is, I’m stuck with him until the end.” I could hear the frustration in Liam’s voice—like a weight was being added to his shoulders and he was desperate to breathe again.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but maybe this week won’t be as bad as you think.”
Liam made a noise. “I wish I could be as optimistic as you.”
I hated the thought of anything sabotaging Liam’s chance to move on. “What could possibly happen? You’re done with the show, right? I thought you just had to answer some questions for the media to wrap up your contractual obligations.”
“That should be all, but—” He paused slightly, and I wondered if Liam was trying to find the politically correct way to tell me what he was feeling. “It’s always safe to expect the unexpected with this show.”
I was still confused about where his doubts were coming from. “Have you talked to Bart about it?” Then I cringed, remembering his unsure thoughts about the guy. “I know he’s your producer, but what is his role in all of this anyway?”
“Bart’s job is to know my weaknesses and manufacture situations that will test me. It’s what makes great television. Great television creates buzz, and the more buzz, the better the ratings.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Anyway, I don’t want to burden you with the drama. If you don’t hear from me until this circus is over, you know why. They’ll take my phone. They’ll shut it off, then they’ll put me up in a bugged flat so they can track every move I make.”
“You’re kidding.” I was legitimately appalled at what he was saying.
They really were treating him like a prisoner.
“I’m afraid not, love.”
I couldn’t ignore the heavy disappointment that fell over me. It wasn’t enough that Liam was on an entirely different continent, but we couldn’t even speak? “I wish I’d known all that.”