Page 6 of Blindsided

“Agreed.” I sigh into Matthew’s hug, giving myself a moment to soak in his comfort before I pull away. Any longer and my poor little heart would’ve started to get attached. “I need to call Desmond and tell him I’m safe.”

“While you do that, I’m going to make us a pizza.”

I raise my eyebrow. “You can make pizza?”

His grin turns sheepish. “Frozen. I’m not that advanced in the culinary arts.”

My brain wants me to refuse. The number of calories and preservatives in something like that is more than I’d normally eat in a meal. But then my heart reminds me that life isn’t as black-and-white as I’d once believed. Eating something bad for me isn’t going to ruin any chance I have at modeling like it once would’ve.

And goddammit, I deserve it after today.

“Sounds perfect.”

Matthew walks into the large kitchen that’s open to the living room. He looks comfortable surrounded by the white marble. Every move he makes is smooth and confident, as if he cooks regularly. What does his life look like when he’s alone?

It’s been years since I’ve spent a significant amount of time with Matthew. My career only allowed me the major holidays off, and my family would usually spend them in New York with Des. Coming home to Sonoma was a luxury I rarely had.

I shake my head and turn back to my phone that is sitting on the coffee table. Getting caught gawking at Matthew is not on my list of things to do tonight.

The phone rings once, and Desmond picks up. “What the fuck, sis? You were supposed to call me hours ago.”

I cringe. “Sorry, it took some time to get here and get settled.”

“Where is here?”

I pull the phone away from my ear and click the video call button. Desmond’s frowning face appears on my screen, and I smile. He’s leaning against the headboard of his hotel room. His dark hair is mussed, as if he’s run his fingers through it a million times.

“You look like shit,” I tease. I can’t help myself. It’s what little sisters do.

Des rolls his eyes. “It’s one in the morning, brat.” His whole demeanor softens, and his eyebrows draw together. “Are you okay? Do you feel safe?”

“I’m not going to lie and say I’m fine. I’m pretty far from fine, but I do feel safe.” I stand from the couch and walk into the kitchen, where Matthew is just now sliding what looks like a meat lover’s pizza into the oven. When he straightens, I lean into his side and turn the camera to show his face. “Say hi, Matty.”

“Hi, Matty.” He grins at me. The full force of his smiling face threatens to make my knees fail, but I manage to roll my eyes instead of swoon.

“Thank fuck,” Desmond says from the phone. His voice makes Matthew turn, and his smile grows.

“Hey, Des.”

“She told you what’s going on?”

Matthew snatches my phone out of my hand and takes off around the kitchen with it. “Yeah, what are we doing about this fucker?”

“I swear if I get my hands on him…” Desmond growls. “I’ll be back in town next week, and my first stop will be the police station.”

“Wait, Des. You can’t.” I race around the island to try to grab my phone from Matthew. He holds it higher than I can reach but turns the camera so Desmond can see me. “The press would have a field day with this, and I don’t need that kind of attention before the show in Paris. It could get me kicked out.”

Desmond’s eyes narrow. “You expect me to just let the police sit around with their thumbs up their asses? You have a stalker, Talia. I won’t let you become another statistic.”

“Just…” I sigh. “Let me get through these next couple of shows. Please. I’ll have Veronica get in contact with the officer assigned to my case and have her do her thing.”

“If you don’t talk to her, Tilly, I’m going to be making some phone calls.”

“I swear I will. The police asked me to find out if this guy tried to contact me before now, so I need her to go through my mail anyway.”

“You don’t go through your own mail?” Matthew asks.

I shake my head. “I get a lot of fan mail. Veronica, my agent, sorts it for me and gives me the good ones.”

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