A Different Sort of Love Affair by Shayne McClendon

Author:Shayne McClendon [McClendon, Shayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Always the Good Girl, LLC
Published: 2021-06-22T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

October 2014

“Are you ready, Portia?”

Edgar’s expression said clearly that he wasn’t ready for what awaited them outside the confines of his luxury van. Hannah drove them to the premiere of the movie and Pax waited for the word from the front passenger seat.

Portia whispered, “There are so many people…”

As she knew he would, Edgar increased his own strength to be stronger for her. “It’s going to be alright.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back. “Pax will get us inside and Hannah will join us as soon as she leaves the van at valet.” He smiled even though it cost him to do so. “Piece of cake.”

She stared into his eyes for a long moment. Without looking away, she murmured, “We’re ready, Pax.”

Hannah used the remote to open the doors and extend the ramp. Portia ducked beneath the roof and waited on the metal platform for Edgar to join her. There were murmurs from the crowd but he was the only person she could see.

They lowered to the edge of the red carpet and she gathered the skirts of her formal gown in one hand and took his with her other. Terrified for different reasons, they made their way toward the doors of the theater hosting the premiere of the movie adaptation of her book.

“Miss Simmons!”

“Over here, P.T.!”

Looking down at Edgar, she whispered through her frozen smile. “I-I was wrong. I’m not ready…”

“Thirty steps, Portia. You can make them. I know it and so do you.”

While she was still looking at him, one of the tabloid reporters shouted, “Miss Simmons! What do you have to say to your dad’s claims that your friends assaulted him to isolate you from your family?”

“Edgar…” Frightened, overwhelmed, and nauseated, Portia froze.

“Ignore him. Keep walking, darling.”

“What about his claims that you stole his inheritance and had him locked up with false accusations? No comment, Miss Simmons?”

Portia would never remember the following thirty seconds clearly but there was plenty of audio, video, and photographic evidence.

Edgar later told her that she pulled from his grip, walked to the photographer, and screamed, “Ronald Fitzsimmons is a monster! I was tortured by him for eight years of my childhood. It’s people like you who make it possible for horror shows like him to keep right on breathing and hurting others.”

Folding her hands in front of her, she announced shrilly, “Yes, I love the movie based on my book. I think the actors cast to play Real and Lindsey were a perfect choice. The entire production company was fantastic and accepted my input at every turn. I’m proud of all of them and I’m proud of myself. Thank you for asking!”

Then she turned and ran inside with her skirts lifted so she didn’t trip. Just inside the doors, Sam and Ira pulled her firmly between them.

“Breathe, Portia. Focus on your breathing.” Ira removed her inhaler from his tuxedo and held it to her lips.

Sam muttered angrily, “Those vultures!”

Reality rushed back and Portia screamed, “Edgar! I-I left Edgar!” Shoving their hands away, she ran back outside.

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