California Girls(38)

“Good morning,” her assistant said. “How was your vacation?”

“Busy, how was your trip back home?”

Rochelle had flown to North Carolina to be with family. Like Finola, she was one of three sisters. Her father was a minister, her mother an accountant. She was the first daughter in three generations not to go to Howard University, instead attending USC. Her conservative parents were equally unhappy that Rochelle had settled in Los Angeles, instead of returning home to find a good job and settle down.

Finola had met them shortly after she’d hired Rochelle. She’d done her best to allay their fears about their daughter’s safety in the immoral wilderness that was the entertainment industry.

Rochelle sighed heavily. “I have nothing in common with anyone anymore. My sisters are both pregnant. Again. My mom lectured me daily on my relationship with God and my father just looked disappointed.”

“That sounds awful.”

“It was what it always is. Parents can be that way. I know they love me and they don’t understand me. I’m doing what I want to do.” She grinned. “When I win my first Emmy, they’ll be thrilled for me.”

Finola laughed. “Make sure I’m mentioned in your acceptance speech.”

“You’ll be the first one.”

“I’m holding you to that.” Finola enjoyed the moment of normalcy for another couple of seconds, then closed the door. “We have to talk.”

Rochelle immediately turned off the steamer. “Tell me.”

Finola motioned to the sofa. She took a chair. And here we go, she thought sadly. The telling had begun. There would be lies, an attempt to conceal, at least for as long as she could. This business being what it was, she knew she wouldn’t take any flak for that when the truth came out. Everyone she worked with would understand. Those higher up the food chain would be unamused, but there was no way she was going to tell them what had happened. It would all hit the fan eventually and when it did, she would deal.

But Rochelle was different. Finola needed someone on her side, someone who could watch out for her and run interference if necessary.

“I didn’t go to Hawaii,” she said as calmly as she could. “Nigel is having an affair and he moved out.”

Rochelle’s eyes widened. “No. No! But...he was just here on Friday. I saw him. You were supposed to be on vacation.” She dropped her voice. “You were going to get pregnant.”

Finola ignored the wave of humiliation. “Change of plans,” she murmured. “On all of it. As for why he was here, it was to tell me what was happening.”

“I can’t believe it. That’s why you were so upset?” She started to stand, then sagged back in her seat. “Are you saying your husband showed up less than thirty minutes before you were on live TV to tell you he was having an affair?”

Finola nodded. Her assistant’s indignation was heartening.

“There’s more,” she said, knowing she had to get it out quickly. “And it’s bad.”

She went on to explain that the woman in question was the world’s most popular country-pop singer, and how Treasure had confronted her right before their interview.

Rochelle pressed her hand to her chest. “Finola, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe how amazing you are. You were so professional. I would have bitch-slapped her, then set her on fire. You had to interview her! And all the time you knew what Nigel had done to you.”

She stood and crossed to Finola and hugged her. “I’m sorry. I hate her. My daddy would say it’s wrong to hate people, but I hate her.”

The hug was comforting, as was the support. Finola leaned against her. “Thank you. It’s been a really hard week.”

Rochelle sat back in her seat. “What can I do to help?”

“What you’ve been doing. Please have my back around here and let me know if there are any rumors about what’s happening. I want to keep it quiet as long as possible.”

Rochelle winced. “Because when it comes out, it’s gonna be bad. Have you talked to a lawyer?”

Finola didn’t understand the question. Why would she—

“You mean about a divorce? We’re not there.” A divorce? No. Nigel was going to come back to her. He would be sorry and beg her forgiveness and never do it again. They were married. They had a life together. A good life that was important to both of them... At least it had been.

“You think I should?”

Rochelle held up both her hands. “That’s not for me to say. You have to do what’s right for you.”

“What would you do?”

“After what he put you through? If he’s not sorry and begging for forgiveness the second he was caught, then he should be tossed to the curb. He needs to respect you and right now there’s no respect.” She softened her tone. “I’m sure you know what you’re doing, Finola. Don’t listen to me.”

“It’s just all so sudden and confusing. I never thought he would do this to me. I thought we were happy.”

She’d sure been wrong about that, she thought sadly. What else hadn’t she known about her husband? What else had he kept from her?

She closed her eyes and wished it would all go away, but when she opened them, the world was just as it had been.