Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
ZOE
I wanted to be the one to tell Declan about the baby; I didn’t want him to find out about it from the media—as unlikely as that was.
The day starts as normal with Declan and I tripping over each other while making breakfast—he insists he’ll make it for me, I insist I’ll make it myself.
And then his phone starts ringing off the hook.
“Is everything okay?” I ask as he rejects what’s probably the twentieth call.
“Nikki’s trying to get hold of me again. She’s probably booked me a second-hand-car salesman gig.”
I laugh. “Things can’t be that bad.” His dark look makes me stop laughing. “Really? It’s that bad? I’m so sorry.”
He sighs and drops onto the couch beside me. “It’s fine. She’s just struggling to get the hint even though I’ve told her point-blank I’m not interested in acting anymore. ”
“Not interested in acting or just not interested in all the bullshit that goes with it?”
He narrows his gaze. “What do you know of the bullshit?”
I shrug. “I’m not immune to reading gossip. I just thought?—”
Anger flashes across his features before it cools, and his brows knit. “I messed up my own career. I took every opportunity that came my way and then self-destructed. There are things I’m so deeply ashamed of that I can never take back, and I’m done with doing terrible movies that aren’t going anywhere but the discount bin.”
Reaching out, I place my hand on his arm. “I had no idea.”
“You and this baby—you’re my fresh start. I don’t want to talk to Nikki because she’ll try to persuade me to make more shitty movies, and I don’t want that.”
His confession takes my breath away, and I gape at him. I had no idea his life was that bad—I’d looked him up on IMDB and apart from the big movies I recognised, it just looked like he’d always been busy. I never once thought that the movies he’d been in lately were bad or anything other than … movies. He’s mentioned his career sinking before, but I took that as hyperbole.
“Maybe you need to talk to her again and set her straight,” I say.
“I’ve already done that.”
“Want me to talk to her?”
His lips twitch into a smile. “You’d do that?”
I screw up my nose. “I kind of already did. She seemed to imply I was what’s holding you back. But you’re my baby daddy, and you’re already far more involved in my life than I’d ever thought you would be. Maybe I can insert myself in yours.”
He chuckles. “I have zero issue with you inserting yourself in my life. And I’ll definitely be talking to Nikki about what you just said.”
As he leans forward, our gazes are locked together. My heart thrums when he closes in until his face is inches from mine.
He’s such a good kisser.
I roll my eyes when his shrill ringtone breaks the moment.
“God damn it,” Declan says. “Maybe I should get this.”
“If she gives you a hard time, give the phone to me.”
He smirks. “I don’t know if I’d inflict your wrath onto Nikki.”
When he answers, I can hear her voice through the phone. She’s ranting, and his eyes grow wide.
“What? When?” Declan closes his eyes. This isn’t a job offer. Something’s gone wrong. But what? He’s been so good with me. It’s not like he’s been out to bars or anything—he’s been watching TV with me on the couch at night.
“I’ll talk to Zoe. No. You don’t need to.” He sighs. “I know you care about how this affects her, but it’s my job to make sure she’s okay.”
My Spidey senses start tingling.
When he hangs up the call, he just sits there for a moment in silence, anger rolling off him in waves.
What the hell has happened?
“The other day when we went grocery shopping. Someone took photos.”
My eyebrows creep up.
“I should have thought about it. I’ve been off the radar for so long that I never thought the media would be interested in pictures of me.”
I swallow hard.
“But apparently they’re really interested in pictures of me with you. It’s been a while since my last scandal …”
A clap of laughter escapes me. “Scandal? We’re two grown adults having a baby.”
He nods. “Yes, but there are assumptions about our relationship.”
I shrug. “Who cares?”
“I do. There are zoomed in photos of your baby bump which have gone viral. My much younger girlfriend having my baby is apparently news.”
I clamp my lips together. “Much younger?”
He smirks. “There’s already fifteen years between us, but you look younger than thirty, according to the stories. I’m a big, bad, cradle snatcher.”
“Do the stories say that, or is that your wording?” I cock my head.
His eyes sparkle with amusement and he reaches for my hand. “That was my wording. To be honest, I barely notice the age gap. And I don’t know how you do it, but you completely disarm me. I was so angry, but now …”
“Shit happens. Just how bad is it?”
He drops his gaze. “Lots of speculation. Not all good. But Nikki’s calling my publicist, and they’re going to conference call me so we can put out a statement.”
Before he can stop me, I stand and make my way to my desk, opening up my laptop.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Seeing how bad it is.”
It only takes a moment to find it posted by news agencies on Facebook, but scanning the comments makes me laugh.
“A lot of people seem to think I’m some kind of gold digger.”
He snorts. “That’s because they don’t know you. It’s funny considering I’m the one living in your apartment.”
“I think it’s the default thing people say about any woman.”
Declan swivels my chair so I’m facing him. “You’re amazing. Do you know that? A lot of other women would be angry about this.”
“Want to know the truth?”
His dark gaze drills through me, and he nods.
“Remember when I told you I was pregnant, and I said I didn’t want the media to be the ones to tell you? I’d anticipated this happening. It was just a matter of time—especially once you moved in with me.”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he gazes at me. It’s all kinds of distracting. “I’m sorry they’re calling you names.”
“You should have seen some of the comments when I sold my company. It seems like no matter what the story is, people get personal.”
He cups my cheek. “I can’t imagine anyone with anything bad to say about you. ”
“They don’t know me. And I’m okay with that. You and I know the truth. That’s what matters.”
“Do you know how amazing you are?” he asks.
I shrug. “You can tell me as often as you want.”
He chuckles. “You are amazing, Zoe. You make me feel more like myself than I have in years. That night in Vegas, I never thought I’d find the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
I lean over and peck his cheek. “That’s very sweet.”
“You and this baby—you’ve turned everything upside down, and it’s so good .”
“So let’s not let these photos get us upset. We’ll get on with our lives, and …” My phone rings—I know it’s Caitlin. She has her own ringtone. I hold up a finger. “Hold that thought.”
“Caitlin,” I say as I answer the call.
“Oh my god, Zoe. I just saw the photos of you with Declan in the grocery store. Are you okay? I’m so angry.”
“I’m fine.”
She pauses. “Are you actually fine? Or are you fine, fine?”
“I’m actually fine.” I laugh. “I think you’re more angry than I am.”
“That bitch reporter. I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.”
“I love you, but it’s okay. Declan’s manager and publicist are going to work out a statement. I’ll let them take care of it.”
It’s so Caitlin to defend me. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. I can just imagine her stamping around their apartment, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder, ready to storm in and give attitude to everyone involved in this .
She growls, and I bite down a smile. “It makes me miss you more. If I was still there?—”
“You’d be apart from Brandon and miserable. You’re where you need to be, and so am I.”
“Why are you so sensible?” She laughs.
“That’s me.”
“Hi, Caitlin,” Declan calls in the background.
“Tell him if he lets the media say nasty things about you, I’ll cut his balls off.”
I burst out laughing. “He’s doing his best to fix this. Promise.”
“He’d better. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“I’ll leave you to it then. I just wanted to check in,” she says.
I lean back on the couch and close my eyes. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. You need to come and visit me soon. We’ll go to LA and I’ll introduce you to some new people.”
“New people?”
“I met Josh Carter,” I whisper.
“Oh my god,” she screeches, and I hold the phone away from my ear as Declan laughs.
“And Reece Evans.”
“I’ll tell Brandon he has to transfer to LA.”
I laugh. “Just come and visit me soon.”
“I will. Promise.”
“Talk to you later?”
When she’s gone, I put the phone down and lean my head on Declan’s shoulder.
“She’s got your back.”
“Always.”
“So do I.”