Page 91 of A Secret Escape

“You’re looking for an ulterior motive, and after everything you said to me last night I understand why. Everyone in your life wants something from you, don’t they?” His voice was gentle. “Must be impossible to filter out what’s real. So let’s address this.”

“Address what?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to examine her life too closely right now.

“Address why people try and get close to you. You listed it for me at one point last night. Number one was your influence in the industry—that’s of no use to me at all. Number two was wealth.” He counted them off on his fingers. “I am fortunate enough to be financially independent and I enjoy the life I’ve made for myself, so I’m not interested in your money. What else was there? Oh, your looks.” He studied her for a moment, and a faint smile touched his mouth. “You look truly terrible, Wendy, and I’m still sitting here so I think we can strike that out as a possible reason I’m sticking around.”

She scraped her fingers through her hair, trying to shape it. “I look terrible?”

“You do. But I don’t care. It’s good to know that even a movie star can get red eyes when they cry. And as we’re being brutally honest with each other—”

“You’re the one being brutally honest,” she muttered. “No one has ever told me I look terrible before. But go on—don’t hold back. What else do you have to tell me?”

“Are you sure you want to hear it?” He pulled a face. “This is a big one. It could possibly end our friendship.”

Our friendship.

It was comforting to think of it that way and to know that he was thinking it too. When she’d called him in desperation she’d felt completely alone in the world, but now she didn’t.

“If the fact that I ruined your shirt didn’t end our friendship, then I’m sure it will survive whatever it is you need to tell me.”

“Let’s see.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t particularly enjoy going to the movies. I’ve taken my nieces to a few animated films, but generally I prefer spending my time outdoors or reading a good book. I’m not very familiar with your work.” He cleared his throat. “I think I’ve seen one of your movies.”

He’d seen just one of her movies.

He was watching her, waiting. “You’re smiling. Why are you smiling? Say something.”

“You think I’m ugly, and you don’t like my movies.”

He frowned. “I didn’t exactly say you were ugly. And I didn’t say I don’t like your movies. I don’t really like any movies. It’s not personal. You need to pay closer attention, Wendy.”

She grabbed the tissue he’d given her and blew her nose. “If you don’t like movies, then obviously we can never be friends.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“Which is a pity because I’m a bit low on friends at the moment. Always, in fact.” The reality of her situation hit again. “I’ve been a terrible friend to Milly, and she is never going to forgive me.”

“Okay, enough self-pity.” He stood up. “If you’re not going back to sleep, then go and take a hot shower and get dressed, and I’ll make you some breakfast.Then we’ll talk and work out a plan together.”

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.” She glanced around her. “Where’s my phone?”

“I confiscated it because you kept wanting to message Milly, and I thought maybe you both needed time.”

“Time isn’t going to fix this.”

He paused by the door, sympathy in his eyes. “When things went wrong for my sister, she felt the same way. Her life was shattered, and she couldn’t see how it would ever be right again. But you’ll do what she did and make it right, piece by piece. And maybe your life won’t end up looking the same as it used to, but there’s a good chance it might even look better.”

She didn’t say that without Milly’s friendship there was no way her life could be better.

“Did your sister ruin your shirt too?”

He smiled. “Take that shower, Wendy. I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

She did as he suggested and felt better for it.

Once she’d washed and dried her hair, she changed into a pair of fresh shorts and a T-shirt from her suitcase.

By the time she joined him in the kitchen, her head had stopped throbbing.

“Something smells good.”

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