Into Thin Air Read online

  “I’ll leave right now. Don’t go outside. Is there an exit in the back of your building?”

  “It’s on the side, but it wouldn’t make a difference. They’ll see me come out that way too.”

  “Have you spoken to Sam?”

  “Not yet. I’ll call him when I get home. What good will calling him do for me when he’s in LA? I have to deal with this myself.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I tried to convince myself this was no big deal, but I was wrong. I’m a tough lawyer. I should be able to handle this. But I defend other people, not myself.” I continue to pace around the lobby.

  “Wait for me,” Gale says. “It might take me a little while because of the traffic, but Christy will help out.”

  “Thanks, Gale. Take your time. It’s not like I can go anywhere.” I place my phone on the table full of magazines.

  Dora hands me a glass of water.

  “Thanks.” My smile is shaky. “Whatever you do, don’t let them in here and don’t answer any questions. Hopefully, it’ll blow over tonight, and they won’t come back.”

  “Oh, come on, Stella. Don’t play stupid. He’s the catch of a lifetime. Most women would do anything to date him. Any hint of him being interested in a woman, the press will be all over it.”

  It’s like I’m listening to a broken record. “Yeah, spitting out fake news, and I’m not even dating him.” My heart is his, though.

  “Isn’t he with that woman, Jenny?”

  “Not anymore. He says they broke up.”

  Dora looks over her glasses at me like she understands now. “Oh… and then the connection you have with the explosion, that makes things even more interesting. It’d be such a great love story,” she gushes.

  Christy comes out of the elevator just in time. She walks over and sits with me in the waiting room. Dora returns to the front desk. Thankfully, no clients are here.

  We wait a long thirty minutes until finally Gale barges in. I run to him and hug him.

  “The crowd out front hasn’t died down. Let’s go. I’m your personal bodyguard for the night.” Christy isn’t large enough to protect me, but she’s right there on my other side as we duck and run away from the paparazzi. Gale’s parked illegally so we can hop in and make a quick getaway.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  I look out the back window. “Let’s drive around a little bit in case someone is following us. I don’t want them to know where I live.” How is this my life right now?

  Half an hour later, Gale and I walk into my apartment, paparazzi free. We dropped Christy off at her place first. The rest of the drive here was pretty quiet. I stared out the window most of the time. I toss my things on the couch.

  “Want a drink? A real drink? I’m going to have a glass of wine.” I kick off my shoes and head to the kitchen.

  “Do you have any beer?”

  “Must you really ask?” I chuckle.

  I take a wine glass out of the cabinet and place it on the counter. Gale opens the refrigerator to get a beer, and I pull out a bottle of white wine.

  “We need to talk, Gale.” I pour a nice portion of wine for myself. “But I need a few minutes to unwind first. I’m going to change my clothes.”

  “Sure. I’ll be in the living room.”

  I drag myself to my room, wine in hand. My bed invites me to sit down as if it wants to know how my day went. I sink down onto the fluffy comforter and take a big gulp of wine. I observe myself in the mirror, wondering how the hell I got into this mess. My pajamas are calling me, but I decide on sweatpants. I mumble to myself, “Let’s get this over with.” With a last glance at my bed, I start down the hallway.

  “Are you hungry?”

  He twists in the sofa toward me. “Would you come in here so we can talk? I’m not going to bite your head off.”

  “Promise? Because I’m not in the mood.”

  He cracks a smile at my best puppy-dog face.

  I shimmy to the other side of the sofa and take one more sip before I set my glass on the coffee table. The sea turtle that Sam won me acts like a barrier between Gale and me. I pick it up, wrap my arms tightly around it, and relax back into the sofa. “Thank you for helping me today. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come.”

  Gale angles himself toward me. “Just because we don’t agree on something doesn’t mean I don’t have your back. But you knew this could happen. You can’t tell me you’re surprised.”

  “In a way, I am. I’m caught up in so many things right now, I can’t think straight. By the way, how much have you told Christy? Did you tell her about my dream?”

  “No way. She already knew you were both in the explosion. I only told her you showed him around Seattle. I have a feeling she thinks there’s more to the story.”

  “I don’t want anyone to know about my dream other than you and Mom.” He nods.

  “I guess you saw both pictures. I wondered how they knew my name or where I worked, but that’s a stupid question. They probably got it from LinkedIn. That’d be the easiest place to look. It’s the only social media account that has my real name on it. But I’m sure they have a million other sources. Thankfully the picture of Sam and me in front of my apartment is a close up. You can’t see what building is behind us. I’m sure the paparazzi would have been in front of this building by now if they figured it out.”

  “I’m glad to see they didn’t say anything really bad about you. Did you talk to him yet?”

  I shake my head. “I’ll do it when you leave. With the number of messages he left me, I’m sure he’s aware of the pictures.”

  “I saw the press conference. They asked if Jenny was moving with him.”

  My throat constricts. More wine, please.

  “Don’t worry. He said no. One reporter asked if there was another woman, but he walked away without answering.”

  Forget the glass. Where’s the damn wine bottle and a straw?

  “So everything’s out in the open. His new job, his retirement, and the move.”

  “SU must be thrilled that he signed on.”

  He rests his arm on the back of the couch. “Thrilled is an understatement. It’ll be a lot of pressure on him, though. They’re expecting miracles. But I don’t care about him; I’m more concerned about you.”

  “You don’t have to be. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to. Gale, they have nothing to say. We aren’t together. I’m going to go to work every day and act like nothing is going on.”

  “Humph.” He massages the back of his neck. “Do friends always stand around with their foreheads pressed together? That picture spoke a thousand words.” He’s right.

  “I only found that one once when I searched the internet. I hope it’s gone now.” I stand up and toss the turtle on my empty spot. “I need more wine. Do you want another beer?”

  “No. I’m not going to stay long.”

  I take his empty bottle to the kitchen. Then, with my second glass of wine in hand and the wine bottle in the other, I rest on the edge of the coffee table. Gale takes the bottle and places it on the table for me.

  “Gale, I’m sorry for fighting with you. I understand why you’re like this. Sometimes I’m also scared about my relationship with Sam. We both want to see each other, but I told him I need time. Don’t worry—I’m not jumping into this. I’ll be even more cautious after today.”

  “I’ll back off, but you know I’m always here for you. No matter how pissed off I am.” He chuckles. “And don’t think I won’t be keeping an eye on him at SU.”

  “He’s a nice guy. Give him a chance.” I nudge his knee.

  “I never said he wasn’t. But I’m protective of you. Why’d you have to pick a guy like him? The total opposite of what you want.”

  I give him a bear hug. “It just happened. Anyway, I’m done with this conversation. Now I want the scoop about your budding relationship with Christy.”

  His smile grows super wide. I squeal with excitement.
“I knew it! I want all the juicy details.”

  We chat for a while longer like we always have, smiling and laughing. But I know as soon as he leaves this apartment I have to call Sam, and that lodges a pit in my stomach.

  Chapter 36

  Sam

  In between juggling my favorite soccer ball with my knees, I check my phone for the millionth time. Nothing. Why won’t Ellie call me or text me back? This is so fucking frustrating. I hate that I’m not in Seattle.

  Cass was here for a little while. She kept my mind off things by talking about the move and the latest author she’s working with. Once she left, I walked through my place to see how much stuff I can throw out or donate. Someone from the moving company is coming tomorrow to assess how much needs to be moved.

  I’m planning to pack my BMW with private stuff, and Cass said she’ll come along for the ride. When the movers arrive in Seattle, she’ll help me settle in. JT will be stuck in the studio again, so for her it’s more fun to go with me. Deep down, I know she’s sad that I’m leaving and it’s her chance to spend time with me. I also think she’s curious about Ellie.

  Just as I think Ellie won’t call, my phone rings. The ball bounces off my knee and hits the wall. “Stella! Why haven’t you called me back?”

  “Sorry, Sam. I haven’t had a moment to myself since those lovely pictures of us showed up on the internet. Oh, and then the paparazzi arrived at my office just as I tried to leave for the day.” Her response stings. Did she just slur?

  “They showed up where you work?” My vision turns red.

  She explains to me what happened and how Gale helped her get home. Then she tells me what Stephanie said.

  “Maybe I should go for a meeting at your office. I’d be able to see you, and your manager would get off your back,” I joke, trying to cheer her up.

  “Absolutely not. I don’t want you involved with my job. It’ll just make everything more complicated.”

  I guess I’ll need to work harder to cheer her up. “I know. I’m sorry. I was only kidding.” I almost said Ellie again. I want to scream her name and tell her everything. I want to be there with her and lay everything out on the table. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I love her more every day.

  “I’m pissed, Sam. I’m so stressed at work as it is, and then this pops up. Why do I feel like I did something wrong by going out to dinner with you? Am I going to feel guilty every time I’m near you? We aren’t even together.”

  Not yet, but we will be.

  “Why couldn’t we have met a different way?” She groans and then hiccups.

  “Are you drunk?” My voice climbs an octave but for some reason I want to laugh.

  “I had a couple glasses of wine. I think I deserved it. Don’t you?” The clipped tone of her voice tells me not to tease.

  There’s a high-pitched clang in the background. “Shit.”

  “What the hell was that?”

  “I’m unloading the dishwasher and dropped a knife. It’s been full for two days, and I need to keep myself busy.”

  Slowly, I make my way to my bedroom. “I wish I was there with you. I almost jumped on a plane when I hadn’t heard from you.” Silence.

  “You would’ve done that?” I can hear the surprise in her voice. “I wish you were at my door right now.”

  “In a heartbeat. I don’t want this to scare you away.”

  She takes a deep breath. “Am I overreacting? You know how much I hate this. My quiet life vanished into thin air today.”

  I shake my head and wander around the room aimlessly. “Not at all. I feel bad because it’s my fault. Maybe I should’ve stayed away from you… but I’m sorry, I couldn’t. I can’t. It’s not an option. But it doesn’t matter what I want. Do you want me to stay away?” There is no way in hell I can stay away from her.

  “No, never.” She sighs. “We can’t change the past or who we are, Sam. Always look forward, not back. Okay? That should be our motto. Look forward, never back. All I ask is for you to be patient with me. You’re used to this. This is completely new territory for me. If things were to progress with us, it could get worse. I don’t know if I could handle it. I’m twitchy as it is. Some of my clients have been victims; now it’s me. I know how ugly it can get.”

  “You have every right to be mad. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you from now on. Please wait for me to move there. I promise everything will get better. Believe it or not, this is new territory for me too. I never cared about someone so much.” I sound desperate, but that’s where I am at this point.

  She remains quiet for a few seconds. “What’s the update on your move?” Her voice trails off like she has no energy to talk.

  “The movers come in a week. This Friday, the team is throwing me a farewell party. I wish you could be here. Then Cass, her husband, and a couple of friends will help me pack up some stuff. The countdown begins. It’s probably good that I won’t be in Seattle for another week. Maybe things will cool off. Jackson and Diana are watching for anything else that might come up.”

  “So, they’re used to this with you? They’ve had to do it before.”

  “To an extent, but most of the time I ignored it… until you. I told them you were special to me, and I’ve never said that before. They were shocked. They promised to work harder to keep anything out of the news.”

  “That makes me feel a little better. What if the paparazzi are always in front of my office? I’m not listed anywhere, so I’m hoping they won’t find my home address. Unless they follow me home.”

  “Let’s hope they decide you’re my friend and nothing more.”

  “We’ll see, but we both know that won’t happen.”

  I don’t respond because I know she’s right.

  ∞

  “That was a great party last night. Everyone is going to miss you,” Cass says as she and JT build boxes in the middle of my living room. “I’m a little hungover. I fell asleep in the car. JT had to carry me into the house.”

  “It’s not the first time.” JT pokes her in the side, then tickles her until she’s lying on the floor squealing.

  “They definitely sent me off with a big bang. I tried to stay sober, but it hit me when I got home. A couple of guys from the team were supposed to come over today but backed out because they’re hungover.”

  I did have fun, but my mind was always on Ellie. I wished she was with me. We’ve talked on the phone every night since the pictures were released. We never talk long because she’s working on something that’s taking up a lot of time when she gets home. She won’t tell me what it is. I’m assuming it’s something with her job.

  The paparazzi’s still hounding her, but not as much. She’s been driving to work so she can use the parking garage. They can’t go in there because it’s for employees only. There haven’t been any more stories about us. I think it helps that I’m here for now, and she can focus on her job.

  Cass comes over and stands in front of me. “I can tell your mind is still on Stella, but she’s a grown woman.” I hate that she calls her Stella. “Before you know it, you’ll be with her. Just a couple more days.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know what to expect. She has to work on Jenny’s mother’s divorce. That makes the whole thing more complicated for her. It’s been quiet this week, though. They can say whatever they want about me, but not about her. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s completely innocent.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong either.”

  “Didn’t I? As soon as I saw Ellie again, I was done with Jenny. That makes me an asshole. I should’ve broken up with her a long time ago.”

  JT wipes his hands on his pants as he walks over to where we are. “Cass got her share of shit when we got together, but we got through it. That’s the downside of being in the spotlight. Stella just has to figure out how to handle it.”

  He hugs Cass and smacks a kiss on her cheek. “Cass here is a strong woman. She can kick some major ass. Women are afraid of her. She’d w
alk through fire for me.”

  “You bet I would.” She pats his ass, then spins in the middle of the kitchen with her arms up. “Remind me again; why are we packing stuff when you have a moving company coming?”

  “You really are hungover.” I chuckle. “Since you and I are driving my car to Seattle, I told you I want to fill up the car with private stuff. Some things, I don’t want them going through. Like my underwear.”

  JT and Cass wrinkle their noses. “We don’t want to touch that stuff either.” We all laugh.

  “Yeah, well. The company said if I pack stuff beforehand, it cuts down on their time. That means they’ll arrive in Seattle earlier.”

  “Makes sense. So, what do you want us to pack? How about your trophies?”

  “Don’t touch the trophies or medals. That should be taken care of by the movers for insurance purposes.” I scan the rooms around us. “I’ll deal with stuff on this floor. Can you go up to the spare bedroom and pack what’s in the cabinets and on the bookshelves?”

  “Sure thing.” She grabs JT’s hand and pulls him along.

  For the next hour, we keep busy packing and taking short breaks to cool off. It’s a hot day in LA, and the AC doesn’t seem to be working so well. I open the front door to take a box to my car and realize I don’t have my car keys. I walk back in, placing the box in front of the door to keep it open. I stuff the keys in my pocket, turn around, and bang into the last person I want to see. Jenny.

  “Why are you here, and how did you get through the gate?” I block her from moving any farther into the kitchen.

  “You’re not the only one I know in this complex.” I should’ve known she’d sneak in somehow.

  She’s wearing a thin white T-shirt, and it’s impossible to ignore that she’s not wearing a bra. I found a shirt she left behind and threw it in a box for the dump. I’ll dig it out. “I have something for you.”

  Her face lights up, but she’s wasting her time. She walks toward me with her chest pushed out. “Did you get me a farewell present?”