Page 30 of Someone Just Followed You

I think it would make sense for me to meet Maple. I just need to figure out how best to arrange it.

Really, he should have thought of an actual plan before responding, a way to see Maple without her mom asking questions or getting in the way. But he was too excited about the photos, too impatient to download them to his computer so he could study them in detail. So he wrote the first thing that came to mind, a holding message to give himself time to think.

Because does he definitely want to see her? He has the photos now. Maybe they could be enough. He knows that anything more brings risk, the potential for things to go very wrong. The thought makes his cheeks feel hot behind his beard, despite the aircon blasting in his face.

But he’s been choosing the easy option his whole life, hasn’t he? The coward’s way out. Isn’t it time for him to be brave? To go the fuck out there and grab what he wants for a change? And it might not be that hard, anyway. When he sent that first email, he knew it was suspicious. No name or address for his fake modeling agency in case she Googled it. A gender-neutral name, no surname. Requesting the photos via Telegram and pretending it was for Maple’s benefit not his. But that woman still fell for it all.

Maybe setting up a face-to-face meeting wouldn’t be that hard either.

Of course that wouldn’t be the end of it. There would be a rocky road ahead, lots of decisions to make, and plenty of convincing to do. But it might work. Maybe – some fucking sliver of a maybe, for sure – Maple would learn to love him like he has already learned to love her.

I really think you’ll fall in love with her if you do!

Oh Jesus Christ, if she only knew the truth.

He pulls into the staff parking lot of the MGM Grand. Drops his eyelids again. Sees her pretty face, her caramel eyes and bright smile.

He’ll think of a plan to get her back out to Vegas. He has to.

Because whatever risks lie ahead, there’s no turning back now.

Chapter 37

Kirsten

‘Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Clark.’

Dylan’s words are polite, but his tone is ice-cold, and for the first time, my conscience wobbles a little about that first-kiss video. But no. Maybe I’ve made an enemy of Dylan, but the level of engagement we’ve had shows it was worth it. Maple has had a big presence on YouTube for years, but getting that same recognition on TikTok and Instagram has been difficult. Until now. Yes, the modeling for Azione got her noticed, but it’s this thing with Dylan that’s taking her viral.

And how could I regret that?

‘Not at all, Dylan,’ I say with my brightest smile. ‘The pleasure is all ours. I hope you can come again one day.’

He gives me a tight smile and turns to Maple. Without saying anything, she follows him through our front door, as though they can read each other’s minds now. I watch them walk down the drive together, then stop a few feet away from Dylan’s father’s Subaru. I film them saying goodbye, just in case, but there’s nothing exciting about it, so I delete the video.

Finally the car speeds off, and my excitement grows again as I picture Maple’s thrilled expression when I tell her about Blake’s modeling agency. But before I get chance to say anything, she brushes past me and mumbles something about going for a swim. I feel a stab of frustration – but the twins are in the pool with Garrett; it makes sense that she’d want to join them.

In fact, maybe I should get in too. Some fresh, cool water to wash away the remnants of that wine. And it might provide the perfect opportunity to get Garrett back on side; he’s never been able to resist me in a two-piece.

Ten minutes later, I slip my robe off and slide into the water.

‘Mommy!’ Ash shouts, twisting around as he notices me. ‘Help me get up!’ His skinny arms are curled around Maple’s sparkly pink float, and his legs are causing an almighty splash as he tries to create enough momentum to lift himself up. My heart tugs a little and I swim over to hoist him on top.

‘Yay!’ he shouts out, before toppling over the other side. He comes up giggling. ‘That was so fun! Can we do it again?’

Suddenly a head pops out of the water. Slicked-back blond hair, jade green goggles to match her eyes, and a cheeky grin. ‘No, it’s my turn.’

‘Hey, no!’

Ash and Aspen both grab the float and start climbing onto it. Of course Aspen gets there first, but then she reaches for her brother’s hand, and he slithers up the wet plastic.

‘Let’s pretend it’s a canoe!’ Ash suggests. ‘And we’re on the Green River.’ He straightens his arms, like paddles, and pushes them through the water. ‘Look, there’s an otter!’

‘Is that a golden eagle in the trees?’ Aspen asks, curling her fingers into makeshift binoculars.

God, how I ache to film this. To show the world how wholesome, imaginative and truly wonderful my family is. How can Garrett not get that? He has got it so wrong with all that nonsense about the kids needing privacy, or how filming content causes them stress. Sure, there are downsides, but what lifestyle choice doesn’t have those? Why can’t Garrett focus on all the good things that come with being popular on YouTube?

With a new sense of resolve, I shift my gaze toward him. He’s standing at the shallow end playing skip ball with Maple, a smug smile on his face as the ball bounces across the sparkling water between them. He thinks he’s won the argument, I can see that. And while that’s aggravating, it also means his guard is down. Which everyone knows is the perfect time to attack.