Star Struck(52)
“You deserve this and so much more,” Garrett responded.
She was so caught up in talking to Garrett, she didn’t pay attention to her intro music. John yelled into her earpiece, “You’re due on stage.”
Hailey kissed Garrett and rushed out on the walkway. She waved at her audience as they cheered her name, “Hailey, Hailey.”
“Good day America. Today it’s my pleasure to bring you one of my favorite comedians Ms. Sherri Shepherd.”
The crowd cheered as Sherri walked out on the stage. Hailey enjoyed interviewing Sherri as they talked about her sitcom and her day gig as also a talk show host. By the time her interview with Sherri was over, Hailey felt as if they were old friends. “Sherri, I want to thank you again for coming on the show. I hope this won’t be your last time.”
Sherri assured her she would be back on. Hailey addressed the audience, “Our time together has come to an end. Until next time, do something nice for yourself.”
Hailey and Sherri both signed some of the audience autographs. Hailey made sure her assistant Jackie presented Sherri and the rest of her guests with a gift bag before going to her office. Garrett was right behind her. “You move a mile a minute,” he said.
Now that the show was over, Hailey could now concentrate on her problems. Once she was seated, she said, “Okay, give it to me straight. What did you find out about the pad?”
“You don’t waste time do you?” Garrett sat on top of her desk near her.
She was extremely hot and it wasn’t because of the temperature in the room. In fact, the air conditioner was on full blast. Having Garrett in such close proximity reminded her how he felt inside of her when they made love over the weekend. She picked up a tissue out of the box on her desk and wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Was it your trifling friend Trevon playing a practical joke?”
“I wish it was that simple. Promise me you won’t go off.” Garrett stared her straight in the eyes.
Hailey didn’t flinch. “I don’t make promises I might not be able to keep.”
Garrett reached for her hand and caressed it. “I found some incriminating evidence at Shareeka’s. I think she’s the one behind the hate mail.”
Hailey was livid. She jerked her hand away. “That skank. Oh she wants to play dirty. I can play dirty. Wait until I get my hands on her.”
“Hold on. If she is the one behind it.”
“If, you just said, you found some evidence proving she is.”
“I have to make sure before I go accusing her. Otherwise, she’ll bulk and we’ll never find out if it was her.” Garrett didn’t sound too convincing.
“What did you do with the stuff you found?” Hailey asked.
“It’s in a safe place for now.”
Hailey’s desk phone rang. She saw Jackie’s number displayed across the screen so she answered. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed,” Hailey snapped.
Jackie responded, “Trevon is on the line. He says it’s urgent.”
“Okay, put him through.” She looked at Garrett. “That’s your partner.” She hit the speaker button. “What’s up Tre?”
“Hailey I’m sorry.”
Hailey looked at Garrett and then back at the phone. “Okay. I knew that, but why are you calling?”
“I just called to apologize on how I treated you. I should have let you go years ago. Don’t tell Garrett I admitted this but he was right. You and I were never meant to be. You deserve better than me.”
“The first thing you’ve said that I can agree with.” By now Hailey was leaning back in her chair.
“When you see Garrett tell him I want to talk with him.”
“You can tell him yourself.”
Garrett spoke up for the first time. “What do you want Tre?”
“I don’t think Shareeka is behind it. As much as I can’t stand her guts right now, I did some cross checking and some of the times that Hailey was threatened, I know for a fact Shareeka was out of town.”
Garrett forehead tensed. “That can’t be. All evidence points to her.”
“Well, I’ll be seeing her tonight so I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Are you going to confront her?” Garrett asked.
Trevon responded, “Yes, about everything.”
“Maybe you should do it over the phone. You don’t need an assault charge.”
“Oh, I’m calm. She’s not worth me going to jail for. Believe that.”
“I’ll meet you there.” Garrett stood up.
“No man, I got this.”
“Call me if things get out of hand.”