Throughout the day, Alistair and I exchanged several messages, but we didn’t talk until late Sunday night. The worst had been confirmed. The fire had reached the vineyard and probably torched it to the ground. I cried in silence, not wanting to let Alistair know how devastated I was for him and his family. His voice sounded hollow, and I wanted nothing more than to comfort him.
I didn’t sleep for shit last night, so it’s no surprise this morning that I look like a raccoon, and no amount of concealer can hide the dark circles under my eyes. I put on my sunglasses and head to class, knowing Alistair won’t be at school today. I arrive to class one minute before it starts, finding the room already full.
Everyone’s gaze turns in my direction, and the previously silent area gets filled with low murmurs. What the hell is going on? Did I forget to put my skirt on? I look down, finding everything in place.
I take one step forward before I’m yanked back and pulled out of the classroom by Robbie and Phillip.
“What the hell? Why did you do that?”
“I’m saving you from a mortifying situation,” Robbie replies. “Come on. We need to go.”
With his hand firmly clasping mine, he keeps walking until we’re out of the building. It’s only then that I dig my heels into the ground and pull free from his hold.
“For fuck’s sake, Robbie. What the hell is going on? You’re freaking me out.”
He takes a deep breath and looks at his shoes. “Chiara, I don’t know how to say this.”
“You’re making me nervous, Robbie.”
“You and Mr. Walsh made the front page of the LA Times,” Phillip pipes up.
My stomach bottoms out even though I don’t know what he means. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s a picture of you and Mr. Walsh in a candid moment. The newspaper liked your picture so much, they decided to post it. Right now, it just says two of Sonoma’s fire victims comfort each other, but both of you are recognizable. It won’t take long for people to connect the dots.”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I believe that already happened. Everyone was staring at me in class. Hell, Alistair! I need to warn him.”
“I’m pretty sure he already knows,” Robbie says.
I shake my head. “If he did, he would have called me.”
No sooner do I say those words than my phone rings. With a shaking hand, I dig for the device in my purse. It’s him.
“Hello?”
“Chiara, I’m glad you’re not in class yet.”
“I know about our picture,” I blurt out.
“I’m so, so sorry. I’ll fix this. I promise.”
If I didn’t already love this man, I would have fallen in love with him right now. He’s dealing with so many problems already, and the outing of our relationship will only make his life even more complicated. But here he is, worrying about me.
“I’ll be fine. I’m with Robbie and Phillip. They saved me from school today.”
“Good. You shouldn’t be alone. Go home. I’ll call you when I know the extent of the damage.”
“Okay.”
“Everything will be fine, Goldi. I promise. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He ends the call, but I remain frozen, staring at my phone for a couple of beats.
“What did he say?” Phillip asks.
“He told me to go home and wait to hear from him.”
“I don’t think you should go back to your apartment,” Robbie replies. “It’s only a matter of time before the media finds out you’re his student. And you know Nadine will create a circus.”
“What am I supposed to do, then?”
“Come home with me. You can lie low for a while there and stay as long as you need.”
“Okay. I appreciate that.”
“I’ll go back to school,” Phillip states. “You need someone to report on the gossip.”
“Oh, Phillip. They’re going to think you were cheated on.”
He gives me a lopsided grin. “Hey, that’s okay. I’ll get all the pity from the girls.”
Robbie crosses his arms. “Yeah, that’s peachy. I don’t like it at all.”
Phillip’s amused expression vanishes. “I’m sorry, Robbie, but what can we do?”
“I guess nothing.” He links his arm with mine. “Come on, girl. Let’s get you out of here.”
