Novels by Paula Gallagher

I slept like I’d been knocked out. Literally. No dreams, no tossing and turning, not even the usual existential insomnia. Just darkness—and the best pillow in the world: the one from my childhood, the one that smells like cheap fabric softener and home.I woke up to the sound of the microwave and the unmistakable smell of frozen waffles. Jackson was already in the kitchen, eating like he hadn’t seen food in three days. My mom was talking to him in that soft, maternal tone she only used with kids and grumpy customers at the store.“And how are you doing?” she asked when she saw me walk in.“Better. Though I think I’ve lost a year of my life this week.”“You’ve got some to spare.”I smiled. Mom always knew when to say something dumb just to make me laugh. I sat down next to Jackson, who had syrup on his eyelashes.“Did you talk to Archie?” he asked suddenly, without even looking up.I almost choked on my first sip of coffee.“Excuse me?”“I’m just saying… he looked sad.”I stared at him

When I shut the door, it felt like all the air left my lungs.My head buzzed, my heart pounded, and my stomach twisted like I’d just run a marathon.I had made myself clear.I wasn’t going to be part of Archie Garland and Kylie Webber’s circus.They weren’t going to use me to fix their images. They weren’t going to manipulate me. They weren’t going to decide my life for me.But saying it was one thing.Feeling like the fight was actually over was another.My hands were still shaking.I let out a deep breath and collapsed onto the couch, rubbing my face with both hands.I just wanted a break.I just wanted to get out of this damn building and breathe.Knock, knock, knock.The sound made me jump.I turned toward the door, nerves still on edge.Please don’t be Archie.I didn’t have the energy to deal with more of his nonsense today.I walked over and opened it.And there he was.My dad.Wearing his usual jacket, a warm smile on his face, arms open wide.—Come here, kiddo.I didn’t even h

Take care.Ágatha’s last words kept echoing in my head as I put my phone away.I knew what they meant.The scandal had already reached my bosses. And on Monday, I was in for a conversation I definitely wasn’t going to like.I sighed and walked out of the building. I needed to clear my head, even if just for a few minutes.But the universe had other plans.Just as I turned the corner, I ran straight into the last thing I wanted to see in this world.A horde of paparazzi."It’s her!" one of them shouted, raising his camera like a soldier ready for battle."Sofía, look this way! Are you dating Archie?""How did it start? Is this a PR stunt?"Oh, for the love of God.I froze for a second, but then my survival instincts kicked in.Run.Without thinking twice, I spun around and bolted in the opposite direction."Sofía, wait!"Not a chance.I ran like a final girl in a horror movie—dodging people, jumping over steps, and losing every ounce of dignity in the process.A car honked as I crossed

"No way.""Oh, come on," Archie protested. "Ninety percent of my fans hate you because they think you got between Kylie and me. If we say we're together and come up with a good story, we can change the narrative in your favor.""I don’t want that, Garland!" I huffed, running a hand through my hair, exasperated. "I want my life back the way it was a week ago—anonymous. And look where I am now because of you.""Maybe Archie has a point," Damon cut in, his tone as cool and calculating as ever. "A few statements, some pictures together, and in a few weeks, we ‘break up.’ People will forget about you quickly."I shot him a glare."Whose side are you on? Five minutes ago, you said we needed to deny it."Damon shrugged, indifferent."I'm on the production company's side. And Archie’s plan isn’t bad. It could work.""What about Kylie?""We can just say it didn’t work out between them, that they went out a couple of times and decided to stay friends.""Right. And the photo she posted the other

For the third time this week, I found myself knocking on Archie's door.He opened it almost immediately, standing in wrinkled pajamas and looking irritated, still half-asleep.“You again?” he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”“Yes. It’s two in the morning,” I answered, gently pushing past him. “Believe me, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”Archie sighed, closing the door behind me without protest. I guess he was used to it by now.“What’s the emergency this time? I have an early shoot tomorrow.”I turned around, arms crossed.“The emergency is you and your brilliant performance with the paparazzi. What the hell were you thinking, throwing me to the wolves like that?”He let out an exhausted sigh and leaned against the wall.“I didn’t feel like dealing with them, Sofia. I’m tired of being followed around all day. What did you expect me to do?”“Anything besides directly sending them after me!”Archie ran a hand through his hair, fr

The next morning, I woke up to a bunch of messages from Maddie. I ignored them. I was still pissed. What was she thinking, telling the press I was dating Archie?I rubbed my temples, trying to wrap my head around the consequences. Would paparazzi follow me whenever I stepped outside, or would the rumor fizzle out on its own? Hopefully, the latter. There was no way I was opening Twitter or Instagram.I got out of bed and left my room. The house was empty. Good. I wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone right now.I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and searched for something to eat. Among the leftovers and food containers, my eyes landed on a few cans of beer.Was it too early to drink?Who cared? A crappy breakfast never killed anyone. Neither did a cigarette.I stepped onto the balcony with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.The fresh morning air hit my face, clearing my head a bit. Leaning against the railing, I lit the cigarette with a lighter I'd found in the li