Nobody had recognized Talia at the craft store and she’d happily purchased several miniature kits thanks to Carter’s credit card. Parker offered to buy them for her, but she declined. He was already doing so much for her. She couldn’t possibly expect him to pay for her new hobby as well. It wasn’t as if Talia didn’t have money. She had a lot of it, but it was all under the control of her father, and he could track any purchases she made. That was another thing Anthony was going to look into. Just how did Mark Bennett get so much control over her life? Talia knew it was partly her fault for not taking more interest in the ‘business’ side of her life, but to be honest, it had never occurred to her. She’d been acting since she was a kid and, of course, Mark had authority over all the contracts and whatnot. The problem was, that she had never changed that when she became an adult. It was part laziness and part ignorance. Talia had trusted that her father would do the right thing
Parker had debated about taking her on this little excursion, but he was a little worried about how reclusive she was becoming. Talia had never been a real partier in the past, but her fans could often see her out shopping or grabbing a coffee or whatever around the streets of Melbourne. It was over a month since she’d been living with him and, apart from the trip to Kyneton to see his dad, she hadn’t left the apartment. It wasn’t healthy. He understood her reluctance, but as long as she hid herself away, the fear of going outside would only grow. He didn’t want this thing to become a major issue in her life so he hoped that taking her on little outings where he could keep her as safe as possible might help her feel more comfortable when the time came for her to face the public again. And that time would come. She couldn’t keep living with him indefinitely. Not that he wanted her to move out any time soon. Having her in his space was no longer the imposition it had
“Thank you,” Talia said, turning in her seat to face Parker. They were sitting in his car in the garage of their apartment building after having spent a couple of hours driving around the city in search of other tiny art installations. Parker shrugged and smiled. “It was nothing.” Talia reached out and laid her hand on his arm. “It wasn’t nothing. You did all this research for me. I thought…” She shook her head and looked away from him. He laid his hand over hers. “You thought what?” “I thought you would think my interest in miniatures was childish and trivial. I didn’t expect you to encourage it.” She looked back at him. It was dim in the underground garage, but she could see him clearly enough, and the way he was looking at her made her heart flutter. No one had looked at her like that before. “Why would you think that?” he asked. She shrugged, not looking away from him. “You weren’t very keen on it when I first mentioned it. Plus, my interest
Peyton found it difficult to open her front door. She was holding a big messenger bag and a bag of Thai food in her other hand when the overstuffed garment bag with the absurdly huge Cinderella outfit got stuck between her and the door jamb. Her front door key and her phone, which had been vibrating frantically, were in her other hand. With a burst of kinetic force, she rocketed through the little gap like a bullet fired from a spitball pipe and managed to burst inside the room. The keys, phone, and clothes bag all went flying, but she was able to save herself and her Thai meal from falling to the ground. If the messenger bag hadn't been fastened across her body, it would have done the same."Shit! She shouted, not specifically to anyone.Anyhow, no one was around to hear her scream. She was a single woman. In theory. Although he didn't pay rent for the privilege, her fiancé spent most nights at her apartment, but he hadn't been there in a few weeks. Because he was a hot salesperson a
The TV remained turned on. She had slept out in the armchair like some ninety-year-old granny, but the Geordie Shore marathon went on. She looked at the clock. On a Saturday night, she was already passed out in front of the TV by nine o'clock. What a crazy life she had.She kicked the messenger bag and clothing bag aside as she dragged herself across the floor while the thumping resumed.How come? She screamed as she pulled open the door.Her partner in crime and best buddy was standing on the other side of the door, fist lifted in mid-knock.Mia said, "Oh my goodness, you're still alive."Peyton moved back to allow her entry into the flat, giving her a perplexed look. Whatever had happened must have been serious because she was carrying ice cream and alcohol.After placing her supply bag on the kitchen counter, Mia turned to observe Peyton. She stepped forward, reaching out to cup her face and giving her a pitying gaze. She pushed her hand away, Peyton.How come? She enquired. "What
Mia knelt next to her and gave her a kind nod. Yes, it would be incredible!"Peyton rested her head back on the sofa, gazing up at the sky. "When she finally gets a hold of me, my sister is going to have a field day," she said. "And Declan will laugh himself silly."Does Declan have a sister that he married?"Not at all. It is he who wed my boss on his own private island in the Whitsundays.Right. the person you're crushing on."Had." possessed a crush on. But it's terrible how smitten he is with Chloe. I no longer have any regard for him at all.Yes, exactly, Mia snorted. It's awful, but not really, to see a gorgeous billionaire, that is, become all mushy and gooey over his expectant wife. Not in the slightest.Peyton let out a sigh. "I am aware."After the song ended, it began again.Mia sprang to her feet and exclaimed, "I have an idea." "This song is perfect for making fun of Dale. You may inform his new wife that she married a complete douchebag and tell him what a useless piece
Peyton gently opened her eyes, then quickly closed them shut. It had brightness. Far too intelligent. It can't be that she shut the blinds before turning in. Her head felt like it was about to blow up when she attempted to open her eyes once more. Yes. I won't attempt that once again. It was wonderful to keep your eyes closed. Open eyes were not good. Really, really awful.She groaned as the intense light shot like a laser beam into her head, making her forget that opening her eyes was a horrible idea.There was a muffled whimper next to her, "Make it go away."Peyton was able to move her head just enough to see Mia sprawled out next to her, her black hair strewn over the pillow and her arm flung over her eyes.Once more, the buzzing sound occurred, and Peyton extended her hand to grab her phone off the nightstand. She narrowed her eyes and studied the screen, attempting to interpret all of the alerts she was receiving. She wasn't bothered at all. Without caring if the phone made it o
Peyton announced to Mia, who was staring at her as if she would pass out, "I'm going for a shower." "Cassie will arrive shortly."Mia remarked, "I might take off then." Mia avoided spending as much time as possible with Cassie since she intimidated her.Peyton responded, "You don't have to leave.""Yes, I believe I do."Peyton pulled Mia into an embrace and whispered, "I don't blame you, Mia, and neither will Cassie.""Nevertheless, I'd rather not be here just in case," Mia remarked.Peyton cluckingly responded, "Okay, chicken," as Mia made her way to the front door.Peyton took a deep breath and fought back the tears when she was alone herself. How could she always get caught up in this?Chloe and Becky accompanied Cassie as they arrived. They carried gifts that could be eaten when they entered Peyton's flat. Chloe was ready to break into any database in order to assist Peyton—she had already purchased her laptop. Peyton felt her tears well up again as Becky gave her a firm hug.She