“Nora—”
“You were mad at me, rightfully so, and—”
I cut her off with a frantic kiss. I hate that I made her feel that way. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations out on you. I know none of this is your fault, and I’m sorry I made you feel that way. Please, forgive me.”
“I need you to forgive me. I should’ve seen this coming, put things in place beforehand to keep it from happening.”
I kiss her again because it feels good to have her back in my arms.
“I don’t think you could’ve kept it from happening.”
“I would’ve at least tried.”
“I talked with Bo when he first arrived and again this morning, and he said this stuff happens all the time. It’s par for the course, and we really couldn’t have done much to stop it.”
“He said that?”
I nod. “He also said we have to be stronger than the story. We have to lean on each other for strength rather than push each other way. That’s what I should’ve done with you the second Mom called us.”
“He’s a smart man.”
“He really is. And like you told the kids, this will pass. One of the desperate housewives, or someone equally as famous, will do something stupid, and we’ll be nothing but a distant memory.”
At least that’s what I’m hoping for.
“You’re right.”
“And you know, it’s not the paparazzi that’s bothering me as much as the fact that Lorelei is making money off it. You and I both know where that money is going.”
“She won’t be making money off of it for long.”
“What do you mean?”
Nora shakes her head. “Just something my lawyer is working on. I’ll let you know when I have more information.”
“Nora, I don’t want you getting involved in anything that has to do with her. She’s trouble.”
“I’m already involved. When she sold her story, she didn’t just pull you and the kids into it, she pulled me into it too, and I don’t take it lightly when someone tries to smear my name.”
I take a step back. “Are you embarrassed by me and what happened?”
“No. That’s not it at all. I’m mad. I’m pissed off that she’s getting away with this.”
“Let it go, baby. Let her have her fifteen minutes of fame. Just promise me you’ll stay away from her.”
“I won’t go near here,” she concedes.
“Thank you. I don’t have to go to work today, if you want me to stay here,” I offer.
Lord knows I need to go down to the garage, but with everything going on, I’m not sure I can concentrate anyway.
“No need. We’ll be fine. Maybe we’ll come down later and bring you lunch.
“That would be great. And if the kids get really stir crazy, you can let them play out back. Even with those fancy cameras, I don’t think the photographers can get any pictures of you guys from that far away.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
32