Page 12 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version
“I got custody of Adeline when my sister died a little over five years ago.”
Adeline’s not his? After I learned Reynold is famous, I decided not to read more about him and his life. I knew if I did, I’d change my mind and go to that meeting at the coffee place near Columbia University. Now, with him standing in front of me, no longer wearing that protective mask, Iwantto know everything about him.
“I stopped acting to raise her. I uprooted my entire life and left L.A., moving to the East Coast where my sister Annalee lived. I stayed in a small two-bedroom home in Jersey City, New Jersey, I had bought her almost six years ago when she told me she was pregnant, and her ex bailed on her. The house the media never found.
“I had no fucking clue what I was doing. To make matters worse, the coverage surrounding my sister’s death, and me taking custody of Adeline, was overwhelming. So, I refused to leave the house with her unless it was needed for a doctor’s appointment. I couldn’t risk being seen together and having her face plastered all over the tabloids and the internet. The only help I had was the part-time nanny I hired to take her to the park, or to the mall to get candy. She quit a year ago to accept a full-time nannying job with another family.”
He pauses and wipes a palm over his face.
“Now Adeline is older, and she’s so damn smart. Because of that, I’m honest with her about everything. Before I sold the Jersey City house, I sat Adeline down to explain that I’m famous and how I wanted to return to acting. I asked what she thought about that—about me being gone for most of the day. She was excited. Quite hurt my feelings, really. I never thought I’d get to the annoying dad phase so quickly. Or maybe she’s just sick of me being around all the time. She’s the one encouraging me to return to acting.
“I bought a penthouse on the Upper East Side. I knew the move to Manhattan would put us back on the paparazzi’s radar. They always found me when I was out by myself. Add Adeline into the mix and they go absolutely feral. They caught us three times this past year. The media hasn’t tracked down my penthouse yet or Addy’s preschool, so I’ve been able to escort her to school every day.”
He looks down at his hands as he picks at his nails.
“That’s another reason I’m nervous about returning to acting. Not being there to take her to school, to protect her. Not a day has gone by since she was born where I’ve been apart from her for more than a few hours at a time. This new movie will have me on set for twelve to sixteen hours a day.
“But Addy has a mind of her own and she’s assured me she’ll be fine without me. I need someone who connects to her, treats her like an equal, who can talk to her and keep her entertained. You’re fantastic at that. So, yes, you’re a stranger, but you’re the first one Adeline has connected to. It even took her time to be comfortable around Eloise and Kelly.”
He turns away from me after his heartbreaking confession and it has me desperate to pull him into a hug. This man needs to catch a break. Plus, I can’t stop thinking about Adeline’s excited face when she saw me today, her tiny arms wrapping around me. I want to do this. I’m going to do this. For Addy.
“Tell me about the job,” I whisper.
He pivots just enough for me to see his profile. It’s as gorgeous as I remember from that day on the plane when I couldn’t stop staring at him while he slept.
His Adam’s apple bobs before he speaks. “We begin filming in two weeks. It’ll take about five months, possibly longer. Like I said, I’ll be on set for long hours. There will be late nights and early call times. Some weeks, I’ll only get one day off, which is why I’ll need you to move in.”
Move in?
I choke on my response, a strange noise escaping from my mouth.
“You’d have your own room and bathroom. You’d have privacy. I’ll pay you whatever price you want.”
Any price?
How much does a celebrity nanny even make?
My heart gallops as my head fills with too many questions to sort through.
Reynold’s dark blue eyes float down to my mouth. I must be chewing on my bottom lip—a bad habit I’ve had since high school when schoolwork stressed me out. I wasn’t the best student, and I struggled only to barely pass classes and graduate.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask.
“I’m sure. As long as you don’t punch me again.”
I wince and turn away from him.
Opportunities like this—they don’t happen to me. I’m struggling to accept this is real. I grew up poor and worked to survive since I turned sixteen and got a job at the Country Mart grocery store. I didn’t go to college because if I hated high school; I knew I’d despise college. I’ve worked every service job imaginable. And I didn’t get handouts. My parents did the best they could to support me and love me and help me whenever needed, but they didn’t have much money either.
We’d only moved to Silo Springs, Arkansas, because my dad got a job there. Then the company went under two years later. We couldn’t afford to move back to Georgia to Savannah, my namesake and where my parents are from, so we stayed in Arkansas while both my parents worked shitty jobs. It wasn’t until after I graduated high school that my dad landed a better job and they finally moved back to Savannah. I didn’t go with them because I had a boyfriend and didn’t want to leave my friends. I was still trying to figure out my life. My parents begged me to go with them, but I refused. I wanted to live my life, not follow theirs.
Now I’m thirty-five and my life never seemed to get better. Only worse. I’m tired of struggling. Here is this man, offering me the deal of a lifetime. I’d be an idiot to pass it up.
The back door to the restaurant swings open and Reynold freezes in front of me, keeping his back to my co-worker.
“Savannah, there you are,” Diana chirps. “We’re swamped and need you back on the floor.”
“I’ll be right there,” I say. Diana scowls, then looks at Reynold before her scowl turns into a smirk. I shoo her away and she laughs. She’s going to hound me for an explanation when I walk back inside.
