Page 47 of Pink and Country

The second one was a shot of us in his truck the same day, exchanging smiles.

A third one captured his hand on the small of my back, talking close to my ear.

I felt as if someone had violated my privacy. This was a nightmare. I bent at the knees, gut-punched, desperate for air.

The fourth picture, a cover of StarNews Magazine , displayed a close-up shot of Carter Hills—yes, that was him—and a photo montage of us together with the title Carter Hills has moved on. Who’s the new girl? Another cover claimed he left Savannah Prince for one of his many mistresses. Me.

My knees buckled, and I almost collapsed on the ground.

I kept scrolling. More pictures. More shots of us looking awfully close, sharing smiles and touching.

More gossip magazine covers.

More exposure.

More invasion of my privacy.

More lies for everyone to see.

“April, are you still there?” Saunders asked, worry in her voice.

“Yeah.” I stuttered the word, my eyes glossy with unshed tears. My chest hurt. I placed my hand back on my aching heart. My lungs idled. I coughed, trying to ease the uneasiness creeping inside me. More dry heaves.

My universe crumbled under my feet. I was the butt of the joke. I thought HN and I were friends, that he trusted me. After all, he told me about Dahlia. And his brother.

Fuck.

“I gotta go, Saund.”

“No, April. Don’t hang up on me. You’re not in a great state of mind right now. You need your best friend.”

I snorted. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes.

“Let me in, girl. I’m worried about you.” A sarcastic laugh left my mouth. “April, I’m coming to you. I’ll spend a few days in Green Mountain and help cheer you up.”

“Don’t. I’ll be fine.”

“No game. I know what the word fine means, pal. I’m a girl. Give me a day or two to clear up my schedule, and I’ll ring your doorbell.” My friend paused for a few beats. “Did you really have no idea who he was?”

I shook my head, feeling so dumb.

“No. Yes. He’s not the guy you see on TV, in magazines, or all over the web. Around me, he’s relaxed. His scruff’s longer, his hair too, and his smile is genuine. And he looks much younger.” My heart leaped in my throat. HN was Carter Hills. HN was Carter Hills. “It’s like all his guards are down and he’s himself. He doesn’t have a mask on. HN looks nothing like Carter Hills.” Tears streamed down my face, and I let them run.

“You’re falling for him, April,” Saunders said in the sweetest possible way, trying to protect my heart and feelings.

“No, I’m not. I just thought we were friends. Friends don’t lie to each other.” Anger replaced my sadness. I wiped my soaked cheeks with the sleeve of my sweater. “You don’t have to come here. I’m a grown woman, and I’ll deal with this on my own.”

“Whatever, I’m still coming. It might be my only chance to meet Carter Hills. Call me a groupie, but you’re aware how I’ve always thought he’s one of the finest male specimens on the planet.”

A high-pitched laugh came out. “You’re being ridiculous, Saund, but that’s how I love you.”

“I love you too. Talk to him. Listen to what Carter has to say before running away. I know you. Let him explain. He may surprise you.”

“No promises. If I go to jail after killing him, will you bail me out?”

“Always. And April, I don’t want you to end up with another broken heart. Be careful.” We hung up, and I let the stream run down my face, a storm of mixed emotions raging inside me.

With a thickness in my throat and a hitching breath, I dragged my feet back toward Carter’s cabin.