Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

AMBER

W hen I come off stage that night, I'm tired down to my bones, but the adrenaline from the show carries me through the VIP mingle. I chat with my fans and smile for their cameras like I don't have a care in the world. It isn't until I climb into the back of a black SUV that the exhaustion I've been ignoring unleashes itself.

I drop my head against the seat and close my eyes.

Mina clears her throat as she settles next to me.

"We can go," she says to my driver.

"Where's Brian?"

She hesitates. "He's taking care of a few things."

I raise my brows. "Tell me."

"Someone videotaped Teddy leaving today, and he looked dejected. And then someone else caught him entering your hotel. Speculation is rampant—mostly favoring the possibility that you broke up again." She pauses. "Teddy's camp has been silent, so we haven't commented either, but?—"

A slightly hysterical laugh slips out of my mouth. "Teddy and I haven't dated in years. Ugh…he's such a pain in the ass."

"He really is. Like a bull in a China shop—nothing but devastation in his wake."

"Was it too much to hope that he and I could settle into some sort of friendship?"

"I want to say no, but the truth is, I'm not sure." Mina sighs softly. "He can't seem to stop himself from doing completely horrid things for no obvious reason. If he wants you to believe this was accidental, I'm not buying it."

I mull over her words. "You think he wants to hurt me?"

"No. That's the crazy part. I think he still loves you—as much as he's capable, at least."

"I don't know what to do," I admit.

Mina frowns. "I wish I had a suggestion."

It must be dire if even Mina has no ideas. I close my eyes and lean my head against the seat again. "I guess the silver lining of doing an interview with Annabelle is the speculation about Teddy and I getting back together will disappear."

"I somehow doubt it'll disappear completely, but hopefully it'll lessen."

It'd be nice if Teddy being spotted leaving my hotel or concert stopped sparking headlines. It'd be even nicer if the press accepted that Teddy and I are really and truly over.

Seemingly seconds later, Mina shakes my shoulder and I'm startled awake.

"We're at the delivery entrance of the hotel," she says as I blink away sleep.

"Paparazzi?"

"Yep. They've got the entrance and the parking garage covered, but they can't access this area. We can take the freight elevator to the third floor. Then we can transfer to the passenger elevator or take the stairs."

"The elevator." I'm too weary to walk up twenty flights of stairs to the penthouse.

"We won't be able to avoid other guests if we take the elevator."

"That's fine." How many people will be riding the elevator after midnight on a Thursday?

The only person waiting for us when we slip into a long hallway is a man wearing a jacket with the hotel logo and a name tag that says "Cliff, Guest Relations."

"Ms. Hope," he says impassively when he spots me. "Right this way."

He takes a couple of steps and pushes a button on the wall.

The elevator slides open soundlessly. The walls are covered in protective fabric and the floor is scuffed with black marks. We—Mina, my security detail, and I—follow him onto the elevator. Without a word, he swipes his card and presses another button.

The elevator creaks as it starts to move. In less than a minute, the doors slide open.

Cliff and my security guys step off first. I wait for the signal that the hallway is clear and then I follow them to another set of elevators. "Your key card will access the penthouse," Cliff says. "Please contact the front desk if you need anything further."

"Wow," Mina says when we are sealed inside and moving upward. "Either that guy is not a fan or he is exceptionally well trained."

I crack a smile. Whatever Cliff's reason, I'm grateful he didn't want to do anything other than his job. We get off the elevator and traipse down the hall. Mina asks me if I need anything and when I shake my head, she disappears into one of the rooms.

My security guy unlocks my door and I sweep inside.

It's mostly dark but light trickles in through the floor to ceiling windows that dominate the exterior wall. I tiptoe through the suite and slip into the bedroom to find both Nolan and Maddy asleep. Maddy's crib is sitting next to the bed, and Nolan is facing it, his hand resting against the rails. I move closer and there is just enough light for me to see the steady rise and fall of her back.

Tears well in my eyes. I love her so much. I hate that she was sick, and I wasn't here. At the same time, I'm glad he was here.

I love him.

I barely catch myself from gasping. It's too soon. And it's terrible timing.

Or maybe it's perfect timing.

The rumors have already started. The interview is already scheduled. Nolan Byrne is about to step into the spotlight whether he wants to or not. The best way to protect him is to fight for him. Am I famous enough to convince the world that he's perfect for me?

Operation love: must succeed.

I brush away the tears. I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. I should take a shower. I'm sweaty, and sparkly, and my hair needs its own zip code, but instead of taking off my makeup and rinsing off like I should, I peel off my dress, pull a t-shirt out of one of my bags and crawl into bed. I curve my body into Nolan's back and soak up the comfort of having him close.

My eyes slip closed and sleep descends almost immediately.