Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Zander
The lights are bright. I’ve done a shit-ton of interviews, but I’ve never been this nervous. Mostly because we’re going to be candid today. I won’t be a country superstar promoting a new album. I’m just going to be me. A guy in love with his girl.
I settle next to Romy on the couch and put my arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”
“I’m okay.” She squeezes my thigh.
And I believe her because if she wasn’t, I’d shut this whole thing down and carry her out of here.
The Getaway Lodge’s conference room has been made into a pop-up studio, with the lake in view through the window like a reminder that we’re real, and we’re not in some manufactured studio.
Beau talks with the producer and the interviewer, Kira.
Kira comes over with a kind smile. “Okay, so are you guys ready?”
We nod, and Romy glances at me for a second. Her smile assures me that we got this.
Kira sits, and the light on the camera flicks to red and someone says, “Rolling.”
“All right,” Kira says. She starts by introducing me and lists all my accolades, then turns from looking at the camera to look at Romy and me.
“So, this is quite the change of pace for country’s biggest superstar.
You’ve never been reported to have been in a serious relationship before, Zander. Tell us—how did you guys meet?”
I glance at Romy, and she raises her hand.
“Well, I was a groupie.”
“You weren’t a groupie.” I laugh.
“Yes, I was. Very much a groupie.” Her grin is contagious.
“I saw her from the stage, on the Jumbotron when the camera scanned the crowd.” I take Romy’s hand.
For her part, Kira puts her hand over her heart and sinks back in her chair.
“I guess it is kind of romantic when you say it.” Romy leans her head on my shoulder for a second before popping back up.
“During one of the songs when I was changing out my guitar, I told my security detail to give her a backstage pass and bring her back.”
“And you went?” Kira asks Romy.
“Of course I went! He was like my dream come true. Is my dream come true. Although I didn’t know what I was in for, going back there. As soon as I was past the security line, I had an NDA shoved in my face.” Her eyes find Beau behind the camera, and he shrugs.
“So then, okay. You signed the NDA. And then what? After the concert?” Kira leans in a bit, seeming interested in the next part.
“I was just brought to his dressing room.” Romy squeezes my hand.
Kira turns to me.
I clear my throat. “And from there… well, I don’t think we all have to know everything that went on after that.”
“Yeah, let’s keep this PG,” Kira says with a chuckle. “So, it sounds like it started as a whirlwind romance. How did it become more?”
Kira digs a little further. I’m sure Beau told her to be patient and not push too much, but I don’t care. People are already saying shit, making up stories on the internet, so what’s the difference if I tell them the truth?
“Romy came to see me two more times after that,” I say.
She puts her hand on her swollen belly. “It was a fairytale. Literally. I was swept up in it. I mean—it’s what you think happens when a superstar is interested in you, right?”
I laugh. Romy faces me and touches my cheek. I kiss the inside of her wrist.
“And then…” I place my hand on her stomach. “Somewhere in those three visits, we made this little one.”
“He’s forgetting the part where he blew me off.” Romy shakes her head and rolls her eyes playfully.
Kira’s eyes widen, but I can tell she’s completely charmed by Romy. As she should be.
“Zander,” Kira scolds like a mother.
“I have no excuse other than I was a stupid man. But fate intervened because I ended up here on Plain Daisy Ranch, filming a music video for the song I wrote for her.”
I glance at Beau behind the cameras. I never asked him how he found this place. I figured he stayed away from Texas since that’s where we grew up, but how did he find this small town in Nebraska to film the video?
“And you haven’t been shy on socials, letting everyone know the new song is about Romy.” Kira smiles and looks between us.
“Yeah, it is.”
“That really is a fairytale, Romy.”
Romy shakes her head. “I’ve learned there’s no such thing as fairytales. But I think we come pretty damn close.”
“Did the two of you immediately fall in love when Zander arrived on the ranch?”
I can’t help the scoff that comes out of me. “Not at first. She was hell-bent on making sure I paid for blowing her off.”
“With good reason,” Kira says good-naturedly.
“I couldn’t resist in the end.” Romy looks at me, and I kiss her forehead.
Kira asks, “So do you want to fill us in on what you’re having?”
Romy looks at me because we discussed this before coming here.
“We’re going to leave a few things secret.” I wink at Romy.
“Fair enough,” Kira says, looking at the cards in her hand. “Zander, you’ve been a really private guy until now, so I have to ask—why are we doing this today?”
I look at Romy to answer.
“We’re sick of reading the lies about us?” Romy laughs. “Honestly, we’re giving the public our truth, and hopefully they reciprocate by allowing us to live our life with some element of privacy.”
I squeeze her hand. Romy’s so much better at this than I am.
“And how does it feel to be public?” Kira presses.
“Like I can breathe with both lungs.” Romy smiles at me.
“I used to think it was easier to stay quiet, but I met this really smart woman who made me see different.” I look at Romy—who’s given me the strength to live my life for real—and am overcome with gratitude.
“And what do you love most about each other?” Kira asks.
Romy laughs under her breath. “What is there not to love about this guy?”
She doesn’t go into specifics, and I kind of like that. Because I know the things she loves about me aren’t what the public sees, and that makes me feel loved for me.
“And what about you?” Kira asks me.
“I’ve never met someone who can take the air out of my lungs… and someone who makes me feel like I’m home. Romy walked into my world with both eyes open and made room for me in hers.”
Romy whimpers, and I grab a tissue, handing it to her.
“Oh jeez, you two are sweet.” Kira fans her face as though she might cry at any moment.
Romy waves the tissue in the air. “It’s just the hormones.” She laughs before kissing me on the cheek. “I’m kidding.”
“And your schedule… is this new single the start of a new album and maybe a tour?”
I place my hand on Romy’s stomach again, and our son kicks as if he knows it’s me. “We’re taking this one day at a time right now.”
“I know the fans will be disappointed to hear that, but I have a feeling you probably don’t care.” Kira smiles at us, then looks at the cards in her hands. “Last one—what do you hope people will see when they see you two?”
Romy looks straight at me. “A family. Two people trying to make something real. And good.”
“I lied. I have one last question.” She meets my gaze. “What do you see when you look at Romy, Zander?”
I smile, holding nothing back. “Home.”
“Sounds like the best place to be. Thank you both for joining me, and we can’t wait to find out the little one’s name. I want to wish you the best of luck with the delivery and the start of this new chapter in your lives.”
We say our thanks, and the red light flicks off.
I nuzzle Romy’s ear. “You were perfect.”
“I don’t know about that,” she says. “But I’m glad it’s over.”
“We’re going to be late to the family dinner.”
“They’ll wait.”
I help Romy stand, and she stretches.
After everyone has packed everything up, Romy looks at Beau. “You ready for dinner?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he says, leaving The Getaway Lodge with us and heading to her parents’ house.
I kiss Romy’s temple for always knowing what I need before I do.