A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts #1)(31)

“Mom, she doesn’t need a new lawyer,” Amy said.

“Yes, she does. I want to help her make sure those kids are safe,” she said. “He sounds like the type of guy who would fight to gain custody if something happened to her so he could get his hands on her money.”

Edward didn’t like talking about Dana dying, but he didn’t like the idea of that ass**le using those kids either. “Fine.”

“Good,” his mother said, sounding satisfied.

Amy suddenly smiled. “I almost forgot. You know my friend Jonathan, right?”

“Yes.” Jonathan was her single investment banker friend. The guy was good looking and really nice. He wished there was more between his sister and Jonathan. He would take care of her.

“Well, he stopped by the set last week and he’s been bugging me ever since to set him up with Dana. So, he’s coming down Monday as well to see her,” she said giddily.

“Cancel it,” Edward said coldly.

“Why? What’s wrong with Jonathan?” Amy asked, confused. She knew Edward liked her, but he clearly was making any moves and she wanted to see Dana happy.

“Because I don’t want you setting my girlfriend up, that’s why,” Edward said before he could stop himself. He didn’t mean to blurt it out, especially since he hadn’t talked to Dana to see where they stood, but that didn’t mean he was going to stand by and watch other men approach her. It was hard enough stomaching Scott’s flirting until he found out that Scott was just messing with Dana to psych her out.

“Since when?” Amy asked, sounding more suspicious than happy.

“Just leave it alone,” Edward said. He tried to ignore his mother and father’s smiles. “I’m going to change before you two break out in a happy dance.”

*******

“I’m stuffed, man. Your mom really knows how to put out a spread,” Seth said, flopping down on the couch next to Edward.

“Shh, we’re watching the game,” Edward's father said.

“Too bad,” Amy said, walking into the room. She grabbed the remote from him and changed the channel.

“What the hell are you doing, woman?” Seth demanded.

“I just got a call from Rick. ET is dedicating a segment of the show to Dana tonight.”

“What? She didn’t say anything to me,” Edward said, trying not to sound like a sullen child. She hadn’t called him all day. Then again he hadn’t called her either.

Amy situated herself next to Edward and slapped him upside his head. “That’s because she doesn’t know about it. Rick just found out. He doesn’t have a good feeling about this.”

“What do you mean?” Edward asked.

“I don’t know, he wouldn’t say,” Amy said.

“Shh, it’s on,” his father said.

“Welcome to Entertainment Tonight. Tonight we are taking a rare look at one of the world’s most popular author’s, Dana Mathews. In the next half hour we will look at this amazing woman’s life from childhood to now. Stay tuned for the shocking truth.”

Amy and Edward shared a look. “I don’t think she’s going to be happy about this.”

“Shit,” Edward muttered.

“Shh, it’s back on,” his mother said as she sat down on their father’s lap.

“Dana Mathews is the author of six immensely popular books. The most famous book of course is the story of Christian and Bailey, which has fans of all ages screaming her praises, is now being turned into a movie. But what do we really know about this dynamic author?”

“We found out this young woman came from a life of hardship. Her mother abandoned her immediately after she was born to be raised by her father, David O’Shea. Her father worked as a security guard. Dana went from being an adorable baby to a shy bookworm.” Several pictures of Dana as a little girl popped up on the screen.

“Wow, she was a little cutie pie,” his father said, making Edward smile.

“We found that she kept mostly to herself and her close group of friends during high school. Apparently she was a little heart breaker early on. We recently met up with one of her old high school boyfriends.” The show switched to a video clip.

“What do you remember mostly about Dana?” a woman asked a ruggedly handsome man.

“She was great, always fun, always sweet.” He chuckled. “Taught me how to kiss.” He winked at the camera. “We were young and she was too serious to settle down.” All humor disappeared from his face. “Broke my heart the day she left for college. Hell of a girl.”

The show switched back to Emily, the show’s host. “We discovered that she was a brilliant student with potential. We weren't able to discover why she left college. What we did find out will surprise everyone, so please stay tuned.”

“Damn.”

“No kidding. Looks like Romeo is still pining away for her,” Seth said.

Edward elbowed him in the ribs. “Shut up.”

Seth put his hands up to show he was kidding. “Sorry, man.”

“Does Dana know about this?” Edward asked.

“Rick said he called her. She didn’t answer. So I guess no she doesn’t,” Amy answered.

“Damn it,” Edward said. She wasn’t going to like the spotlight pointed at her. This was going to drag her and the kids into the limelight and destroy all of her privacy.