Page 40 of A Reclusive Heart

“We’re ready for you,Miss Harris,” one of the assistants said, gesturing for Jamie to join Andrew Jameson, the show’s host, on stage.

She decided not to keep her promise to Nick and hunt him down for last-minute advice since he’d just given her the kiss-off. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nick trying to discreetly gesture for her to walk over to him, but she ignored him and plastered what she hoped was a friendly smile on her face and sat down in the small leather chair next to Andrew.

The man was in his mid-thirties, handsome and the look he gave her slightly appeased the hurt Nick had caused not even twenty minutes ago. She still couldn’t believe that he’d hurt her like that. She knew that they’d never have a lifetime together, but the last few days had been wonderful, especially yesterday when they’d spent all day in his bed, but apparently, she’d been wrong. Well, she’d enjoyed it, but obviously he hadn’t.

If he had, he wouldn’t have been making plans to meet up with another woman right in front of her. The least he could have done was take her aside beforehand and gave her the brush off. Finding out like that hadn’t exactly been a good time.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Harris,” Andrew said warmly as he reached over and took one of her hands into both of his.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Jameson,” she said, easily returning the smile.

“Please call me Andrew. From what I gather, this is your first on-camera interview. Just relax and pretend the camera’s not here and you’ll be fine. I’m also assuming that you would prefer to be called J.L. Lewis during the interview?” he asked, still holding her hand, she might add.

Jamie risked a quick glance over to where she’d last seen Nick and was surprised to find him glaring at their hands. Considering that he’d just basically made plans to have sex with another woman, she thought he had a lot of balls to look pissed that another man was touching her. After this, they were going back to a strictly professional relationship. She didn’t want his help with her list and come to think of it, maybe it was time to bite the bullet and have sex. It would stop her from pining after him and it would help destroy the last shred remaining from the old Jamie.

“If you’re ready?” Andrew asked, reluctantly releasing her hand as he sat back in his chair.

Was she?

Yes, she was and not only for this interview. It was probably childish, but tonight, when she found a man to take to bed, she was going to make sure that Nick knew that she didn’t give a damn that he didn’t want her. Not that he’d care since he’d probably be having sex with another woman, but that was fine because she could move on just as easily as he had.

“Thank you for joining us this evening, J.L. Lewis,” Andrew said, letting her know that they’d begun recording the interview.

“Thank you for having me,” Jamie returned easily, surprising herself. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

After a few minutes of basic questions, he moved smoothly onto her personal life. “So, tell me, is there a Mr. Lewis in the picture?”

With a soft chuckle, Jamie shook her head and said, “No, I’m not married.”

“Is there any special man in your life?” Andrew asked and she wondered if that was interest she noted in his tone.

Jamie couldn’t help watching Nick out of the corner of her eye as she answered, “No, there’s no one special in my life.” The area Nick stood in was dark, but she could have sworn he made a move to come closer but stopped himself at the last second. Wishful thinking on her part, she realized.

“I wanted to tell you how profoundly sorry I was about the news that came out this morning. I’m sure that it was a bit of a shock that your family came forward and shared that rather personal information. I’m actually flattered that you chose KJK to share your side of the story,” Andrew said, confusing the hell out of her.

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid that I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jamie admitted, unable to help but frown in confusion.

He frowned at the admission as he sent someone to the side a questioning look. Seconds later, a young man wearing large headphones came onto the stage and handed Andrew a thick newspaper before quickly scurrying away.

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew,” Andrew said, sounding truly sorry as he handed the newspaper to her.

Dread filled her stomach as she reached over and accepted the newspaper. When her eyes landed on the large black print stamped across the top, she felt like she’d been slapped.

“You didn’t know about this?” Andrew asked.

“No,” Jamie said hollowly as she ran her eyes over the title once again.

At least now she knew why she’d always been treated differently and why she’d never felt like she belonged because she didn’t. The woman that she’d been raised to believe was her mother, wasn’t. According to the paper, she was the product ofan affair that her father had with his secretary and was deeply ashamed of his mistake. Meaning her. He had no knowledge of Jamie’s existence until she was dropped off at his door when Jamie was four years old.

Why would they do this to her? Why couldn’t they have just told her? Did they really need to make this public? Then, Nick’s words came back to her and she realized that her mother, well, really the woman who’d tolerated her existence, hated that she was in the spotlight and wanted it for herself. Jamie couldn’t care less about that. The only thing that mattered to her at the moment was that she was truly alone in this world.

CHAPTER 21

“Open the fucking door, Jamie!” Nick shouted as he pounded on the door.

“Go to hell, Nick!” she snapped back, shocking the hell out of him. There was no doubt that she wanted to tell him off, but he never expected her to actually do it. No matter how much he’d pissed her off, and he did that on a daily basis, she never snapped at him. She usually mumbled her way around it.

But not today.

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