Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“I’m good with that,” I reply.
She unmutes the call. “Easton is on board. Let me know when . . . Okay . . . You have a good day.” She drops the phone back into her bag.
Wanting to bring Nova up to speed with what’s happening, I say, “I’m continuing with The Eradicator, but we’ll film here in LA, so I don’t have to travel.”
Nova nods. “That’s good to hear. I’m glad you can work close to home.”
Sylvia glances between us before she says, “Now that Nova is living here and she’s Lainey’s guardian, we need to talk about a few things. Are we signing an NDA?”
“No,” I mutter. “I trust Nova.”
“Okay.” Sylvia pulls her phone out again and opens an app where she can make notes. “Nova, you’re from Verona, right?”
“Ah . . . yes,” Nova replies.
I frown at Sylvia. “What are you doing?”
“Just getting some info so I can be prepared for anything. The press is bound to start sniffing around Nova’s past.” She lifts her head and looks at Nova. “Is there anything I should know that can reflect badly on Easton? Drug use? A family member in prison? Police record? Naked photos? Sex tapes?”
Jesus Christ.
“I don’t know who my father is, and my mother left when I was four, so I don’t know anything about them,” Nova answers. “No drugs, and I’ve never broken the law.” Her teeth tug at her bottom lip. “I was in a relationship where the police were called out for domestic disturbance.”
My heart clenches, hating the hell Nova was forced to endure.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Sylvia makes a note, then asks, “What kind of disturbance? Was it a verbal fight, or did it get physical?”
“Sylvia,” I mutter.
Her gaze flicks to me. “I need to know if there are photos out there of Nova with a black eye. You know, if the press gets a hold of something like that, the headlines will say you beat the shit out of her.”
“Oh God,” Nova groans beside me. “There are photos. The police took them, though. And it was more than a year ago.”
“You’ll be surprised at what the press can dig up,” Sylvia grumbles. “Anything else I should know about?”
Nova shakes her head. “No. I’ve lived a pretty quiet life.”
“That’s about to change,” Sylvia says.
“Lunch is ready in the dining room,” Frances informs us from the open sliding doors.
Climbing to my feet, I mutter, “Let’s eat.” As we head into the house, I glance down at the nervous expression on Nova’s face and say, “Don’t worry.”
“Easier said than done,” she mumbles.
It’s going to take some time for Nova to adjust to the limelight, but I’ll be there to help her every step of the way.
Chapter 25
Nova
Watching as Charlotte and Porsha walk toward us, I feel a little nervous as I stand beside Lainey at the entrance to the spa.
Charlotte is wearing a stunning long silk dress and high heels, and her blond hair is styled in a short pixie cut.
I should’ve put more effort into my appearance.
“Morning,” Charlotte greets us with a warm smile. “I’m so glad we’re doing this.”
“Hi.” A smile curves my lips. “I thought it would be nice for the girls, and Lainey mentioned my nails are in desperate need of attention.”
She lets out a chuckle. “You’re going to love the manis and pedis here. It’s so relaxing. Sometimes I fall asleep.”
We head into the building, where peaceful music is playing in the background.
Stopping at the counter, I say, “I made a booking for four under Allen.”
The lady smiles widely. “Let me take you to the back. We’ve seated you all together.”
“Thank you.”
Black leather chairs line both sides of the room, and while Charlotte and I take our seats on the left, Lainey and Porsha sit across from us.
After the beauticians greet us and get to work, Charlotte looks at me and asks, “What are you going to do once Lainey returns to school?”
“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it,” I admit.
She seems to hesitate for a moment before she says, “Rachel used to help with fundraisers and organizing food drives for orphanages.” She reaches across and places her hand on my arm. “No pressure, though, but you’re always welcome to join us. See if it’s something you’ll enjoy doing. Right now, there are four of us. Myself, Jamie Bridges, Jane Carlson, and Tori Douglas. Just a bunch of moms trying to do some good.”
Moms.
I turn my attention to where Lainey is talking with Porsha, and I realize I’m the closest thing she now has to a mother.
Without having to think about it, I answer, “I’d love to help. Just let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.”
“Great!” She pays attention to what the beautician is doing, then glances at the girls. Leaning closer again, she says, “Lainey seems to be doing okay under the circumstances.”