39. Hildy
Hildy
THE DAY OF THE PRESCOTT-SCHAFER WEDDING
TAMNIèS, France—“Walter, are you awake?”
“I am now.”
They’d fallen asleep eventually, despite the daylight seeping into the room. He stretched his arms over his head before lowering one over Hildy’s side to pull her closer. “I’m not a teenager anymore, Hildy. I need some recovery time.”
“This is about work. I have an idea.” She felt his energy shift, less sleepy now and more alert. But he didn’t let go of her.
“I’m listening.”
“I figured out a way we can both do our stories. You can do the newsy version—who what where, and how it went down. Here it is, on the record. Boom.”
“What does that leave for you?”
“Life, Styled is going to do a deep dive on the backstory. The Prescott sisters, their relationship, two paths diverging—marriage versus starting your own business, the eternal struggle—and it all culminates in the wedding, complete with exclusive full-page color photos. Or does it?”
“I’m guessing no.”
“Exactly.” She threaded her fingers through his, holding their linked hands over her heart.
“You think the story’s over, but then you turn the page and it’s about what comes after.
Maude starting her business. Maybe finding love of her own.
We’ll go big on the castle. I’m thinking a sweepstakes, a lucky reader and her best girls winning a deluxe trip to France.
Fully sponsored, obviously. Airlines, restaurants, shopping spree. ”
“Wow.”
“I know. And Mr. Prescott can’t bitch because both of his daughters get the spotlight.”
“When did you come up with all this?”
“You mean, was I planning the next issue of my magazine while we were having sex?”
His shoulders moved in a shrug she felt against her back. “Not to be insecure, but I thought I had your full attention.”
“You did.” She kissed his hand. “This came to me while I was falling asleep.”
“It sounds amazing, Hildy.”
“I know. And much more our brand—exploring different facets of a woman’s life, centering relationships that go beyond the romantic. Etcetera.” Even though she couldn’t see his face, Hildy sensed the worry wafting off Walter. “What is it?”
“I just want to make sure it’s not because of … this. You didn’t change all your plans because we slept together?”
She pushed away just far enough to roll onto her back.
“Yes, you ensorcelled me with your magic wand. I am no longer capable of independent thought.” Reaching up, she pressed a finger to the crease between his brows.
“Give me a break. I’m still the boss of me, Walter.
You are lucky enough to be witnessing me at the peak of my powers. ”
“Very lucky,” he agreed, slipping a finger into her hair and wrapping it in one of her curls.
“I’ll grant you that it’s possible the sex enhanced my creativity. It felt like I reached a higher state of being a couple of times there.”
“Does that make me your muse?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“But it is something you should do regularly,” he said, as if he were a doctor dispensing medical advice. “To keep yourself in top form.”
“Like flossing my teeth?”
“Exactly.” He lowered his head to kiss her shoulder. “I’m glad you told me.”
“It’s nice not being rivals, isn’t it?”
“Very. Also, I was going to text my editor in a few hours to tell him I’d lost the story.”
“Ha!” She poked him in the chest. “Too late, loser. Somebody beat you to the punch. How does it feel to come in second again?”
“Honestly? Pretty great.” He gave an exaggerated shiver. “Except my lower back is a little cold. I don’t usually sleep naked.”
“Poor baby.” Hildy reached over him to grab the edge of the sheet, tucking it up under his chin. “All these things I still need to learn about you. Are you a one leg in and one leg out person? Full burrow?”
“Depends on the season. You’ll have to stick around to find out.”
She wormed her way under the sheet, pressing herself against him. “You know what always makes me think of you?”
“Sunsets?” he guessed. “Wild horses? Piano ballads?”
Hildy shook her head. “Washing my sheets.”
“Seriously? I’m going to have to up my game.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She tickled her way up his rib cage. “Don’t pretend you forgot our meet-cute.”
Walter grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “It rings a bell.”