Libby frowned and then realized what he was insinuating. Her mouth dropped open. "You think I told Emily about the bridge climb?" She glanced at Adrian, who didn't look at her.
Did he believe it too?
Her chest constricted so tightly it hurt to breathe. "How could you think that?" She addressed her question to George but meant it for Adrian.
"You said you were broke. The money you would have been paid for that photo would help you immensely." George's voice was mild.
He thought she would put Kate in danger for money? "How dare you?" Libby stood. "I would never do anything to hurt Kate. Ever."
Adrian put a hand on hers. She met his gaze and saw he believed her.
"Good," George said.
"I didn't think you would," Adrian said.
Her outrage softened. "You believe me?"
"Of course," Adrian said.
"I had to ask," George told her.
Libby couldn't prevent the doubt creeping into her mind. Had it been Adrian's idea and George was just playing bad cop? They couldn't really trust her if they had to ask the question. Libby tried to see it from their point of view. There weren't many options and she had been one of them. Still, the pain was palpable. Slowly she sat again. "So what do we do now?"
"We deny it," George suggested. "Get Kent to make a statement asking the press to leave the poor guy alone."
Libby shook her head. "It's too late. You just need to put a photo of Kent and Adrian side by side and see the similarities. After this morning there are plenty of shots to compare."
"I can't think about this now," Adrian said. "Not until Kate is back to normal." He glanced over at the couch.
Hearing her name, Kate turned toward them and yawned. "Aren't we going to the movies, Uncle Ade?"
Adrian jumped up and went over to her, sitting on the edge of the couch. "We had to cancel, kiddo. You hurt yourself."
Kate squinted down at the bandage and flinched when she tried to move her hand. "What happened?"
"There were reporters outside who recognized me. You fell and hurt your wrist."
Kate glared at him. "You took me to hospital." It was an accusation.
"The doctor fixed you. It's just a sprain."
Libby stood and went to stand next to Adrian. "How are you feeling, Kate?"
Distracted, Kate said, "Tired."
"How about you watch a movie here then?"
"Okay. Do you want to stay?" Kate's eyes held her appeal.
"Sure. I'd love to." Libby would worry about her editing later.
Kate needed her more.
Chapter 15
The next day the media were back outside the hotel. Adrian and Kate stayed indoors but Libby didn't join them. They were going to have a movie marathon and Libby needed to edit her novel.
She had to keep reminding herself that the relationship she had with Adrian was temporary. She had to convince herself she wasn't in love with him.
Donna had called, wanting to issue a press release and Libby had directed her to wait. She didn't want to release anything until Adrian and George had decided how they wanted to handle it.
At midday her phone rang.
"Why do I have to read about my best friend dating a rock star in the paper? I would have thought you'd have given me the scoop." Piper's Texan accent was lighthearted and joking but Libby's heart sank.
"Oh no." The story had reached the Houston newspapers.
"What do you mean, ‘Oh no'? Is it true?" Piper was instantly serious.
Libby deliberated what to do. She had to talk to someone about what was going on, and she trusted Piper. "Sort of."
"You need to spill everything right now," Piper ordered.
Libby sat on her bed, scooting up so her back was cushioned by the pillows, and told Piper everything. She explained how she'd met Kent, how she became Kate's nanny and how much fun she'd been having with them. She didn't mention that Kent wasn't his real name. It was a relief to have someone to confide in.
Piper was silent for a moment. "Are you in love with him?" Her tone was gentle.
Libby wanted to deny it but Piper knew her too well. "Yes," she admitted. "I am."
"What are you going to do at the end of the tour?"
"I don't know. We agreed it was a fling. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts." Her words didn't sound convincing.
"You're not that kind of girl," Piper said. "You were devastated after Clint left – and he didn't even treat you well."
"Which paper is the news in?" Libby asked, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"All of them. Kent is a Houston boy and they jumped right on it. I've even had my boss call me and ask me why I didn't know. All the papers are saying the same thing." Piper was an investigative reporter at one of the big Houston newspapers.
Susan would hear about it for sure. "I need to tell him that the news has made it to the States," Libby said. "I'll talk to you later."
"You make sure you call me whenever you need me, you hear? Take care of yourself."
Libby smiled at Piper's concern. "I will." She hung up and dialed Adrian's room. "The story is in the Houston papers," she told him when he answered.
"I know. Susan's already phoned."
"How'd it go?" She couldn't tell from his tone whether he was angry or sad.
"Not great. She's furious Kate was hurt and blames me. She wants me to send Kate back to Texas. Kate's cousins will be home from summer camp in a few days. I just hope things will settle when we fly to Brisbane tomorrow."
Libby knew he didn't believe that things would settle down. "If you need anything, just call." When he murmured his agreement, she hung up.
Part of her had been hoping he would invite her over, just as part of her knew she would have to refuse. She had to do what was right for herself in the long term – meet her book deadline – and not spend all her time with Adrian and Kate. Still, she wished he had asked. Had he decided he'd made a mistake with Libby?
She shoved the thought away, refusing to worry.
Staring at her humming laptop, for the first time in her life she resented having a book contract.
She was annoyed with herself. Adrian had changed her priorities, but he'd be gone soon.
She had to write.
***
They flew to Brisbane early the next morning, avoiding the paparazzi out the front of the hotel in Sydney by using one of the hotel's back entrances. Libby couldn't believe they were still hanging around. The story wasn't that newsworthy.
In the airport Libby spotted a gossip magazine with a picture of Kent on the front and the headline, "Rock Star Dumps US Nanny for Aussie Lover." There was a small picture of Emily in the corner. Her heartbeat sped up. She bought a copy and flicked to the story.
She frowned. The article was an interview with Emily, who asserted she'd been fired and abandoned in Australia so Libby could take her place. It hinted that Emily had once had a relationship with Adrian but didn't claim it outright. It also hinted that Emily was concerned Kate was being neglected. "Sources" close to Kent refused to comment.
Libby's doubt outweighed her anger at the story. If it was true Emily had been fired, it would explain why she was so upset, but Adrian had said she'd quit.
She scanned the article again for a clue about the truth. No, it had to be a lie. Emily had insinuated Kate was neglected and that certainly wasn't the case. The relief Libby felt at this thought didn't push away all of her doubt. She'd been lied to by someone she'd trusted before.
Libby took the magazine back to the business class lounge, where Adrian and Kate were waiting. Kate was sitting on one of the couches reading while George and Adrian stood talking.
"What have you got?" Adrian asked.
She showed him the story and waited for his reaction.
His expression went fierce and he swore. "George, take a look at this." He held out the magazine and George took it.
"Why did Emily quit?" The question came out before Libby thought about the consequences.
Adrian checked where Kate was before he answered. "She came on to me. When I told her I wasn't interested, she walked out."
"Oh." Libby didn't know what to say.
Adrian took her hand and rubbed his thumb over it. "None of Kate's nannies interested me before you." He studied her, waiting for her reaction.
Libby forced a smile. It might be true, but it didn't mean their relationship was going to last. She needed to distance her heart from him.
As if hearing her thoughts, Adrian tugged her closer. "Have dinner with us tonight. We can talk after Kate goes to bed." His expression was earnest.