Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
It was a lot, but from what the moms at JRMC said, babies required a lot. Of resources. Of love. Of time. Retail therapy with a necessary twist was how I thought of it.
“Enough!” There was a certain point at which retail therapy became obsessive, and I was worried that I was dangerously close to reaching that point after ninety minutes of online shopping. I didn’t spend that much time picking out clothes or eyeglasses for my everyday wardrobe.
But this is for your baby.
True, but that was another justification, and I prided myself on being levelheaded rather than emotional. Instead of dwelling on the pain I felt over Gavin’s swift rejection, I would choose to look fondly on our time together. To remember that he’d wanted me for a brief period of time, and that time had produced something even more precious to me. Family.
After changing out of my date-night outfit and into a pair of cotton pajamas, I did two things to make sure I looked ahead instead of backwards. I changed Gavin’s name to Do Not Answer in my phone and sent a message to Teddy, requesting a consultation. She was my friend and the best contractor in the area, the perfect person to turn my guest room into a nursery and my exercise room into a guest room, possibly with an en suite bathroom.
There was a lot to look forward to straight ahead that I wouldn’t have time to look back. I had a little over six months to prepare for the arrival of my baby.
Gavin
Being back in Hollywood was a surreal experience. I felt as if I was just floating through my own damn life on autopilot. I didn’t care what I ate because there was a chef to make something that tasted good and was good for me, or there was an assistant to pick something up or order a meal when hunger struck. Alex maintained my schedule and a driver made sure I got from spot to spot at the allotted time. There was even someone to pick out what clothes I wore when I would be out in public, which was always.
Alex smiled and gave me a double thumbs up as I chatted with yet another late-night talk-show host about what I’d been doing with my down time.
“I’ve heard rumors you’ve been off in the middle of nowhere writing your next album. Care to tell us anymore about that?” The host leaned in, a gleam in his eyes as if he really gave a damn.
“What can I say? I was really inspired by the last place I visited and the words just kind of flowed.”
The audience clapped and screamed as if I’d said something of importance or, at least, something interesting. Their over-the-top response only made me miss Suzie more. “And when can we expect to hear your latest inspiration?”
“I should finish recording the album later this month, so it depends on how happy the powers that be at the studio are with my creation.”
The only good thing in my life right now was the time I spent in the studio. Vocals had been recorded for five songs, but I still needed a full band to lay down more music before the songs could be considered ready for the suits to hear.
“I’m as eager as you are to know my release date.”
The host leaned into my personal space and nodded like I was giving him the recipe for world peace, and I leaned back, a little uncomfortable. “And what about your personal life? Rumors are swirling that you were off healing from a broken heart.”
I groaned and the audience laughed as if on cue. I’d seen the photo of me with a hangdog expression on my face as I entered the studio. The tabloids were right, I did look lovelorn. That’s because I was. There wasn’t one moment of the day when I didn’t think of Suzie, wondered what she was up to and how much she hated me.
“Now, you all know that I’m not one to kiss and tell.”
“Oooh, that means there is a girl. Where were you inspired again?” The host laughed and the audience joined in. “Just in case I’m lacking inspiration,” he offered up with a knowing smile for me and a wink for the audience, who ate it all up.
“Some place in this beautiful country of ours. I highly recommend, all of you, take a trip off the beaten path, see what the world has to offer. There are some gorgeous nooks and crannies.”
“Does that mean you’re dishing up the dirt for us, your closest friends?” He wiggled his eyebrows, teasing a laugh out of me.
“No dirt to dish, sorry. But I will tell you that if you want some of the details, make sure to follow me on social media to find out exactly when my album drops.”