“But if he wasn’t there on behalf of the magazine-” she began, but I finished for her.
“Then it looks like I took the photos and broke the royal's trust.”
“Oh, Addi. Is there anything you can do?”
“Probably. I need to look into it, but right now, I just want to forget everything. It just sucks because they were all so kind to me while I traveled with them and the other media attendees.
“I took a leave of absence for now.”
“You need to talk to a lawyer.”
Quietly I nodded and continued my meal, but the stress of the fiasco caused my appetite to disappear.
Staring up at the television, I watched as the beautiful blonde with the red sequined dress stared at the trio of guys all waiting with bated for her to choose them. There was a time I wished I could be on the show and allow producers to make choices for me. It was obvious that the decisions I’d made thus far weren’t doing me any favors.
“Have you spoken to your parents about it? I’m sure they can help you find representation, or your dad could just threaten the magazine. I’ve known you for years and your dad still scares me. And, you know, he’s famous.”
“I haven’t. I’m not sure what to tell them because the moment they find out my mom will try and fix it all. She’ll have me working at National Geographic without even an interview. I don’t want them to use their connections for me. I want to make it on my own.”
Katy shrugged. She never understood why I didn’t want to use my parents’ names to open doors for myself. As someone who didn’t grow up followed by paparazzi, I knew she didn’t fully grasp how life for celebrities could be. And I never ever wanted to use my family to better my own life.
We finished eating the Chinese and cleaned up the mess we’d made before opening up a much-needed bottle of wine. The moment that oaky grape flavor hit my tongue, my body immediately relaxed.
“I guess since I’ll probably make the leave permanent, I need to start looking for a cheaper place to live.”
“No, don’t say that.”
“I can’t afford this place without a job. I have savings, but I’d rather not touch it.”
“I get it. Just don’t jump the gun. Take some time to think things through, and maybe start looking around for another job. You know I can cover the rent for a few months if you need me to.”
“You really hate apartment shopping, don’t you?” I joked.
“You know me too well. Plus, you’re like the best roommate ever.”
“Only until I go out on assignment and leave you by yourself.”
“All I’m saying is. . .take some time and think about it. Oh, I know!” she shouted, causing me to jump in my seat on the couch. She was lucky that I didn’t slosh the wine over the edge of my wine glass and spill it on the couch.
“What’s that?” I asked as I settled back against the couch once again.
“Why don’t you go stay at your parent’s cabin?”
“Why would I do that? I just got back from Europe.”
“Because you love that cabin.”
“It’s true. I do.”
I sat and thought about what Katy suggested. It wasn’t the worst idea she’d ever had, and I knew my parents were on tour, so the cabin was free. The more that I thought about it the better the idea sounded.
“You know what?”I said, sitting up and placing my now empty wine glass on the coffee table. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to take my two weeks of leave and I’m going to relax and figure things out at the family cabin. I haven’t taken an actual vacation in like. . .what? Three years?”
“Something like that.”
Launching myself at Katy, I knocked her off balance and she fell back along the arm of the couch while cradling her glass of wine, the deep purple liquid splashing onto her red camisole.
“You’re a freaking genius, you know that?”