CHAPTER 35
“Just get down here and clear out the sidewalk. It’s unbelievable out there. Cars can’t even get through.” I stare out the living room windows of Sydney’s loft at the huge crowd of paparazzi and media outlet vans lining the street in front of her building as I bark out orders into the phone.
“We’re sending someone now, sir,” the police dispatcher responds.
“Good. Thanks.” Ending the call, I take a deep breath. Sydney and I have been back in New York for a week and a half. She’s getting better, physically and mentally, but I can tell that she’s scared to death to leave the building. Hell, I’m scared for her to leave the building. How do you know who the next psycho is? How am I supposed to keep her safe from someone who may or may not exist?
I pull myself from my dark thoughts and decide it’s time to discuss my work commitments with Sydney. I’ve been getting a lot of pressure from Quentin and Rhys and this can’t be put off any longer. Worn-out, I shove the phone in my pocket, walk into the bedroom and freeze. She’s not in bed.
Where the fuck is she?
I scan the room and find her in one of the chairs near the wall of windows.
“Sydney, you shouldn’t be out of bed.” I take the seat across from her and sink back into the comfortable cushions.
“I’m fine, Drew. I can’t be in bed anymore. I need to get out of here. I’m going crazy.” I watch her carefully, studying her face to make sure she knows what she’s asking for.
It’s now or never.
I sigh and drag my hand through my too-long hair. “I have to be at three more premieres for A Soldier’s Burden this week and on the set in two weeks to start production on Downtrodden Masses in Vancouver.” I lean forward and put my elbows on my knees. “One of the premieres is here in New York, but one is in Chicago and the other is in Miami. I’ve pushed them back as far as I can. It’s in my contract, Syd. I have to be there. It’s a limited release independent film, not a huge blockbuster. I can’t leave the people who financed it hanging.”
I feel like such a dick for having to abandon her. Thank God I had Jane hire Steve to be here while I’m gone. I wouldn’t even think of leaving without someone here to watch over her and keep her safe.
Sydney reaches across the gap between us and takes my hand. “I know you have to be there. I’ll have Leah stay with me while you go to Miami and Chicago.” Wait, she wants me to go? “Go Drew, walk the carpet, answer the questions. We have to be normal again.”
Is she fucking kidding me? Normal? What does that even look like?
After seeing the sour face I’m making, she continues. “Okay, as normal as we can be. Then when you have to start filming in Vancouver, I’ll go with you. Maybe getting out of here would be good for us.”
I’m so confused. I thought she’d be done with that, would want to be as far away from the Hollywood bullshit as she could get.
“You’ll come with me? I didn’t think you’d want to go. I thought you’d be done with that part of my life after what happened at the premiere.”
Her face softens and she clasps my hands tighter. “I want to be with you, Drew. I love every part of you, even your work. Your film was beautiful, you have to continue to act and I have to be with you. What happened was not because of your job. It was because of a crazy man who was obsessed with me. He knew me long before I met you, Drew.”
Sydney runs her lips across my knuckles. “Besides, I don’t think time apart would be great for us right now. I need you to get through this, and you’re too nervous about me being alone. So, can I come with you to Vancouver?”
God she’s so fucking strong. I love her so much. All the shit she’s been through and she still wants to be with me. I untangle our hands and open my arms for her. She quickly climbs up into my lap so I can hold her tight. I missed the feel of her, being close like this. Burying my nose in her hair, I inhale her sweet fragrance.
“Please come with me babe, I’d go crazy with you thousands of miles away. I need to know that we’re okay.” I kiss her head and pull her closer. I can’t be apart from her, ever.
“We’re definitely okay,” Sydney says as I tilt her chin up and kiss her gorgeous mouth. “I haven’t been to Vancouver in a long time; I wonder what I should pack?”
Her statement is so unexpected that I can’t help but smile at her. She grins back.
Who would have thought? Me, Andrew Forrester. Hollywood’s ultimate bachelor, head over heels in love with a girl.
Loving Sydney makes me irrational, emotional, and confused as fuck… and I am thankful for every single feeling she inspires, good and bad. It means I’m finally fucking living. With her. Always with her.
Plus, with all of the downtime in Vancouver, I’ll be able to work on controlling my temper.