I ask Paige to drive since I can’t do that and text at the same time. I send a quick question to my accountant.
“Are you all right?” Paige asks. “If it’s something I can do, just let me know and I’ll deal with it.” She gives me a small sideways smile. “Probably be faster that way.”
Pain knots behind the spot where my forehead meets my eyebrows. This is one thing I can’t delegate to Paige. If she finds out, she’ll rip up our prenup and tell me to go to hell.
“Nah, it’s nothing,” I say, flashing her Reassuring Look Number Four. “Don’t worry about it.”
* * *
Paige
Now I know something is wrong. Ryder’s insouciantly confident glance is one I recognize from his movies, but have never seen him use in real life. It’s too practiced, too…perfect.
However, I also recognize the stubborn set of his jaw. He’s not going to tell me anything right now.
So I keep my eyes on the road and think. I’ve never seen him not delegate tasks. If he could, he’d delegate eating and sleeping.
His phone rests next to his thigh. Who was he texting? And about what?
Anthony.
The name slips into my mind. I scowl. What could he and Ryder possibly have to say to each other now? He knows what my leaving his condo for Ryder means, and he told me that hurting me didn’t give him the satisfaction he wanted.
But he also said that didn’t mean he was going to stop.
Okay, true enough. But he seems too sensible to pursue something that won’t give him anything in return. At least, I hope so.
I breathe deeply. I shouldn’t drive myself crazy with whatever private business Ryder has. It won’t do me any good, and right now, my priority needs to be making sure Bethany and her baby are all right. Once that’s done, I can take the time to talk to Ryder about going overseas and…anything else.
Even with so little time before the wedding, it’s probably a good idea to go somewhere away from the paparazzi and media circus. Try to unplug and pretend that none of the craziness is happening.
The hospital looks brighter and nicer on a sunny day. I park the car, and Ryder, cap and sunglasses in place, comes around to open my door and help me climb out.
We reach Bethany’s room and peek around the corner. It’s private, and large enough that it has a couch that can be used to sleep on. Oliver is seated on it, thumbing through a magazine. I take a quick glance at Ryder and mouth, thank you. The hospital wouldn’t normally have given her this level of treatment.
Bethany’s asleep, her face toward the window, away from the door. I make sure to be as quiet as possible so we don’t wake her up.
Oliver notices us and gets up. He hugs me, then shakes hands with Ryder. My brother-in-law’s shoulders look even narrower than normal, his usually round face slackened into a gaunt oval. Dark circles show under his eyes.
“Did you get any sleep?” I whisper.
He gives me a smile. “Some.” He nods at Ryder. “Thank you for the upgrade.”
Ryder shrugs, shuffling a little. “It’s nothing. The hospital people here like me.”
Wrapping my arm around his waist, I give him a quick squeeze. It’s so sweet to see him uncomfortable about his generosity. If it had been a strip show, he’d be relaxed and bragging about how he paid top dollar for the girls with the best assets.
Bethany murmurs something, then turns to face us. I can’t help it; I actually gasp at the sight.
She looks like she’s been in a boxing match…and lost. Red gashes run across her swollen forehead, cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Ugly yellowish-purple blotches discolor her left temple and jaw.
“Should’ve seen me yesterday,” she jokes, her voice raspy. “I’m actually looking pretty hot this morning.”
“Oh my god…” My hands shake.
“Don’t. I’m feeling okay.” She looks over my shoulder at Ryder standing behind me. “Hey, Ryder.” She gives him a quick smile like he’s just some guy, rather than one of the most famous actors in the world, which is of course what makes her so awesome.
“Bethany,” he says, his gaze somber. “How are you, really?”
“I’m going to be rich if I get a dollar every time somebody asks me that. I’m doing fine.” She sits up, and Oliver jumps to rearrange the pillows so they support her back. “I had another exam this morning. Everything’s okay, nothing’s broken, and the baby”—her hand rests over her belly—“is doing great. We heard its heartbeat. Strong, loud and fast.”
Oliver kisses the crown of her head. “The doctors think we’re okay, but they said to let them know immediately if we notice anything even remotely abnormal about her condition. Just to be on the safe side.”
“My worry right now is my comic schedule—”
“Bethany!” I can’t believe she’s thinking about work!
“—and the contract.”
“I’ll handle it,” I say.
“Huh?”
“I said I’ll deal with it. You need to get well and not worry about comics or contracts or…anything like that.”
“Thanks, but I can take care of all that,” Oliver says.
I cross my arms. “No, you need to be with your wife, making sure that she and the baby are fine. I’m good at handling details like this. Trust me.”
“Well…I hate to involve you, but it isn’t that complicated,” Bethany says. “There’re just some notes that need to be taken to my lawyer. I didn’t get to type them up before, you know…”
“No problem. I can do that.”
Bethany has the neatest handwriting I’ve ever seen. Her lawyer won’t have any problem understanding what she wants. And if he needs clarification, he can always call her.
“Well, okay. If you insist. They’re on my desk in my office.” She smiles. “And thanks.”
* * *
Ryder
It’s pretty obvious that Paige wants to take care of the contract stuff for Bethany as soon as possible. Since I’d also like some time alone to figure out who’s pretending to represent me, I tell her to take the car and go. I’ll arrange for a ride later.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Positive. I know you’re going to worry about it otherwise, and the traffic’s not too bad right now.” Not that that’s saying much. It is L.A. after all.
“Okay. Thanks.” She goes on tiptoe and kisses me on the mouth. The spontaneous public display surprises me. She’s never done it before. Warmth curls in my belly. I hug her tightly, wanting to prolong the moment.
“Catch you later.” She gives me a quick smile and slides into the Mercedes.
I watch her leave, then pull out my phone when the car disappears from sight. The lawyer’s office has already responded.
Lex is on vacation. Will be back next week. If urgent, we can have one of his associates take a look, but it may take longer.
Of all the time to be on vacation, naturally it has to be today. The other people in his office aren’t as familiar with my situation…but I don’t feel like waiting.
Yes. Have somebody else get me the answer. It’s urgent.