Resigned to making a grocery run, she opened her front door with an armful of reusable sacks, only to be greeted with camera flashes and shouts of, “Ms. Ponzio! Ms. Ponzio, is this a picture of you and Cole Miller at the district clerk’s office today? Ms. Ponzio, how long have you been dating Cole Miller? Ms. Ponzio, when is the wedding?” The entire third floor landing was lined with reporters.
She stepped back inside and slammed the door, her heart racing. She knew without a doubt her ex was responsible for the reporters at her door. Even if some other stranger had spotted her with Cole, no one but Nathan would’ve known her name and address.
Someone knocked on her door. A muffled voice called out, “Ms. Ponzio, we just want to ask you a few questions.”
What was she going to do? She’d seen Cole’s temper. How would he act when he learned what Nathan had done? She imagined her ex lying on the ground, beaten to a pulp, with the police leading Cole away in handcuffs. She had to find a way to get rid of the reporters before Cole found out. What could she say that would protect his reputation?
Steeling herself, she opened the door and held up her hand to silence the crowd. More flashes exploded in her face, but she kept her composure.
“I won’t answer questions, but I’ll make a statement.” She raised her voice and spoke in what she hoped was a commanding tone. “But then I want all of you to go away.”
A man with wavy red hair and a matching beard stuck a microphone in her face. “Go ahead.”
“Cole Miller and I are not getting married. It was all an act. He pretended he was going to marry me so I could make my ex-husband jealous.”
So much for keeping the divorce a secret from my job.
“Your ex-husband, Nathan Riggs?”
“That’s right. Cole and I have no relationship. We’re not even friends. In fact, I never expect to see him again.”
“Do you have a relationship with one of the other owners of Phantom Enterprises?”
“I’ve never met any of them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I—”
“Why were the two of you at the county clerk’s office this afternoon?”
“I told you, I was trying to make Nathan jealous.”
Lying made her stomach even more upset. She hoped she didn’t have to go running for the bathroom. The reporters might guess she was pregnant.
Imagine that in the news!
“This doesn’t make any sense, Ms. Ponzio. Why would Cole Miller go to such elaborate measures to help a complete stranger?”
“Because he’s a nice guy. No more questions, please.”
She tried to shut her door, but someone stuck a foot in the way. “Your ex-husband reports that Cole Miller assaulted him. Is that true?”
“Nathan tried to punch Cole, and Cole twisted Nathan’s arm behind his back. That’s all. Now move your foot, or I’m calling the police.”
The foot moved and she shoved the door closed, leaning against it and breathing heavily while she tried to calm her racing heart. She’d made it worse instead of better.
A quick look through the peephole revealed the group appeared to be making themselves comfortable on her porch.
Now what?
Her phone rang. Part of her wanted to cry with relief when she saw Cole’s name on the screen. She wanted so badly to let him handle the whole situation. But deep down, she knew he had to stay as far from her as possible.
“Listen,” said Cole. “I called to let you know I’m coming over.”
“No, no, no! Don’t come!”
“Please. I need to talk to you… to apologize.”
Apologize? She didn’t have the luxury to show her amazement.
“An apology would be nice, but whatever you do, don’t come now.”
“Actually, I’m already here. I’m in the parking lot,” Cole said, sounding insecure. “I have Gus with me, too. I hope that’s okay.”
“No! Get out of here, now, before they see you!”
“Before who sees me?” His voice morphed to the stern tone she was beginning to recognize as his I’m-about-to-flex-my-muscles-and-beat-my-chest voice. “Who’s here?”
“Please don’t get upset, okay? It’s just some reporters who heard about us getting a marriage license. I told them it was all an act to make Nathan jealous.”
“Why did you talk to them? People at your work will see it.” A deep growl erupted from the cell phone. “Be quiet, Gus. He gets upset when I do.”
“I took care of everything,” she told Cole. “All you have to do is go home and pretend you don’t know me. But promise me you won’t hurt Nathan.”
This time, the growling sound seemed to come from Cole. He was getting wound up, just like she’d thought he would. How could she calm him down?
“Nathan’s a bag o’ you-know-what,” said Cole, “but this isn’t his fault.”
“It’s not?” A puff of air would’ve knocked her to the ground. What had happened to the enraged Cole who’d picked a fight with Nathan that afternoon?
“It’s my fault.” Cole sounded beyond exhausted, exactly the way Brooke felt. “I didn’t think about him going to the media, but I should have. That’s what happens every time I encounter someone, even if I’m only saying hello in the grocery store. I should’ve realized he’d talk to the reporters when he saw us getting a marriage license. He probably got paid well for breaking that story.”
