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“Any time now. She had a cancellation and squeezed me in. The sooner, the better.” Harlow thanked her father for the food and dug into the casserole, comfort food at its best. Creamy pasta with shredded chicken and a blend of cheeses.

“This is as yummy as I remember. The restaurant guests used to rave over your chicken bacon ranch casserole.” Harlow polished off the creamy pasta, savoring her last morsel.

“I could never make enough. We were always running out.” Her father made a move to refill her dish.

“As much as I love it, I have to stop.” She patted her hips. “I need to stay in tiptop shape for the upcoming movie.”

“I’m still on the fence about whether you should’ve agreed to the extension.”

“Something tells me I’m going to need money if Robert…” Harlow toyed with her tea. “If things don’t work out.”

“You’re better off without him.”

“We’ve had a great life and a lot of happy memories, but I’m beginning to wonder if our marriage is more of a businessarrangement as opposed to two people who are in love and committed to each other. As long as the money keeps coming in and he’s able to maintain his lifestyle, Robert is happy as a clam.”

“With his assistant,” her father added.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t know for sure if he’s having an affair. She’s pretty, young, and with him almost 24/7. Maybe she was the one who pursued Robert.”

“He could have fired her if she started coming onto him.”

“True.” Much to Harlow’s relief, the doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. “Kennedy’s here.”

While David cleared the table, Harlow steered her scooter through the living room. After a quick check to confirm it was her, she swung the door open. “Hello, Kennedy. You’re right on time.”

“I must warn you…I’m a stickler for punctuality, especially when I’m on a tight schedule.”

“Which suits me fine.” Harlow backed up, making room for her physical therapist. “I’m ready to get cracking.”

Kennedy held up a pair of yoga mats. “It’s such a nice day. I thought maybe we could work outside.”

“I like your way of thinking.” Harlow called out to her father, letting him know she and Kennedy were going out into the yard before easing her scooter over the threshold. Down the ramp and along the sidewalk they went.

“I noticed a gorgeous little garden on my way to the house,” Kennedy said. “I figured if you were in pain, at least you would have a pretty view.”

“If pain means gain, I’m all for it. I have less than a month to get back on my feet.” Harlow filled her in about her upcoming work schedule. “The studio has given me an extension, but there is a deadline.”

“We can get you back on your feet,” Kennedy said. “I can’t believe the rumors swirling around on the internet about you.”

Harlow abruptly stopped. She had little doubt that the rumor mill was working overtime, clamoring for information and printing lies, just to have a story. “I’ve been avoiding the news.”

“Which might be best, at least for now.”

“Out of curiosity, what are they saying?”

Kennedy grimaced. “I’ll be perfectly honest, Harlow. I’m not sure you want to know.”

Chapter 4

“What you’ve read about me online is bad,” Harlow guessed.

Kennedy nodded.

“Really bad?”

“I’m not sure I would call itreallybad, but most definitely incorrect.”

Harlow reached for her cell phone.