Chapter 34
As proposals went, Isabella’s one had been pretty pathetic.
But pathetic described Isabella all over right now.
One day, when she got over Hunter, she’d look back and hate herself for being such a wrung-out mess.
Much like Libby had said she hated the mess she’d been after that turd had so callously dumped her.
If Libby were here, she’d make Isabella feel better and stronger.
And, like she always did, she’d make him feel better and stronger too.
How could he be missing her so much when she’d only left a few hours ago?
Isabella’s marriage proposal loomed over his head.
The stunt would save Isabella’s career—and resurrect his. They’d be back on track. Britain’s Favorite Couple. Libby would benefit too. If his popularity increased, their videos would get even more traction, and of course, he’d always help her in any way he could.
Then there was that BBC offer…
“How did you meet Libby?”
Visions of a parallel life evaporated as Isabella’s voice cut through his thoughts.
They were sitting outside now, at the little bistro table. Finally, he’d managed to reassure her that there were no paparazzi hanging around and that some fresh air and late-afternoon sun would do her good.
“We met on the plane out here,” he said and then told her about the mix-up over the room and that they had the same surname.
“That’s funny.” A faint smile crept onto Isabella’s lips. “She seems nice.”
“She is.”
“I liked your videos.”
“Thanks.”
Isabella hugged her knees again. When she sat like that, she looked even thinner, especially now that she’d changed out of long jeans and into linen shorts. She’d lost weight, and not the healthy kind.
“You should eat,” Dan said. “You look like you’ve not had a decent meal in weeks.”
“Ah, well, you know.” She picked at her fingernails. “The life of a popstar is a whirlwind of prosecco and canapes.”
“Let me get you something.” In all the confusion, Dan had so far only offered her water.
He ducked inside and put together the few things Mum and Malek had left behind.
It was an odd mixture of crackers, tomatoes, and cheese, with side orders of tuna flakes and pineapple.
He set everything on the bistro table. “Not quite canapes and prosecco, but try to eat something.”
Isabella picked a cracker and nibbled.
“When I was hiding out in the airport toilets,” she said, “waiting for the flight here, I watched the fourth installment of your series. I think that’s probably what drained my battery. When’s the next part due? That’s the final part, right?”
“Yeah, Part Five. We were going to start making that today. While Karim napped.”
“Is that her little boy’s name?”
Dan nodded, snagged a slice of tomato, and popped it into his mouth hoping to encourage her to eat.
How many times had he daydreamed about eating out on this little table on their honeymoon?
Here they were at last.
And it felt so wrong.
“So, what’s Part Five about?” Isabella asked.
“My plans, hopes, and dreams for the future.” Dan shrugged. If he told Isabella he’d already recorded the most important bit, she’d start crying again. “I’m still working it out in my head,” he said instead.
Isabella swallowed her bite of cracker, like she’d been chewing wood. “I know it’s a lot, Dan. But…could I be in your Part Five video? Could you announce in it that we’re getting married?”
“I…”
“That would give you and Libby a gazillion views,” she said. “It’ll go super-viral.”
“I really—”
“Please, Dan.” Isabella’s bottom lip quivered again. “I know I don’t deserve your help, but I need to prove those rumors aren’t true.”
“But they are.”
“Were! It’s over now.”
Dan shook his head. “The thing is… Libby…”
“What about her?” Isabella’s eyes were wide, raw, and oblivious.
For several moments, he simply looked back at her until realization dawned in Isabella’s eyes.
“Ah… I see…” With a sniff, she wiped her eyes. “You and her…”
“Yes.”
“I… I didn’t realize… Oh, god, I’m so sorry, Dan. For everything.” Then she ran back inside, her voice cracking as she thanked him for the lovely meal.
Eventually, Isabella fell asleep.
He’d talked to her for almost an hour, soothing, encouraging, going through all her options, which included reporting the death threats to her social platforms as well as to the police.
But ultimately, the truth was clear.
Isabella’s career and her squeaky-clean popstar rep were up shit creek.
He knew it.
She knew it.
Just like she’d known that the best way to snuff out those rumors and gossip was to flaunt another hot love story in front of the world.
Too bad he was the love interest in that story.
Dan scrubbed his face.
Libby would have ideas about what to do. They could brainstorm all the options. Together. But the easiest one for Isabella would always be for Dan to go along with their fake reunion.
Maybe he could do it? Such a story would drive an insane amount of traffic to Libby’s platforms. It would be very lucrative for her and that kind of money would benefit her and Karim.
No. No way!
Dan hated the thought of lying to the online community he and Libby had built these past couple of weeks.
Lying and being tied to lies was wrong. Nothing good ever came from it, and Libby would absolutely hate it too.
There was no way she’d ever go along with such a plan, no matter how much money she’d earn from it.
Quietly closing the bungalow door behind him, Dan went in search of a cable to charge Isabella’s phone.
He didn’t know Libby’s number off by heart to call her, but as soon as he had access to the internet again, he would email her.
But the backpackers he asked didn’t have a cable that was suitable, so he headed to the reception desk to ask Serita or Hehu to call Tia Rosa.
Hehu was on duty, his feet crossed on the desk as he leaned back in his chair watching TV.
“Mr. Jones,” he said, with that warm, broad smile that showed all his missing teeth. “I hear you’ve been a busy boy with another pretty woman.”
“Not so much.” Spending the entire afternoon listening to his ex-fiancée crying her heart out over the man she’d had an affair with was not how Dan liked to be kept busy—and the polar opposite to what Hehu thought he’d been up to.
“I’ll tell you all about it the next time you have trouble sleeping. ”
Hehu chuckled and dialed Tia Rosa’s number. A few moments later, he was speaking in Māori. His eyebrows shot up, and with a shake of his head, he hung up. “She’s not there. Rosa said they’ve gone to the airport.”
“The airport? Why?”
Hehu shrugged and gave him a sour look that said, Isn’t it obvious?
Blood drained from his head.
Oh, no, just no!
Libby could not be leaving the island!
Then things she’d said before jabbed into his mind. Her lifestyle. How she could move on from place to place if she didn’t like somewhere. That she wouldn’t hang around the next time she sniffed any I-don’t-want-you vibes.
Had seeing Isabella given her those vibes?
“I need a cab to the airport,” Dan said. There was absolutely no way he’d let Libby fly away—definitely not without at least saying goodbye, and absolutely not without him telling her the truth.
Nothing was happening between him and Isabella!
“What time is the next flight out?”
Hehu dialed as he glanced at the wall clock behind him. “The next flight out leaves in two hours.” He spoke Māori again into the phone, cackle laughed, then hung up. “An express cab will be here in five minutes. I told them you were a silly boy in a hurry.”