Page 20 of See You There

Dahlia’s eyebrows slanted down. “Why?”

“Girl, the press is going to be all over you! Didn’t Victor or your publicist tell you to stay put?”

“No.” Then again, her team wasn’t exactly top notch, considering what Victor paid. “I’m supposed to talk to the publicist and the studio lawyer today, I think.” Did she still need to? The studio lawyer had sent her that email, but she wasn’t sure what to do about all the interviews that week.

“Who’s your lawyer?” Skye asked, an edge to her voice.

“His name is Josh Harrison—”

“No, not the studio’s lawyer. Who’syourlawyer?”

Dahlia blinked. Did she need a separate one? Dahlia didn’t know if she could afford that. Victor kept her finances wrapped up so tightly she had little access, but she didn’t want to admit that to Skye. Her contract expired soon, and Dahlia would be free.

“I don’t think I need one.” She hesitated. “Matt said this Harrison guy would—”

“Harrison is going to be looking out for Matt and Peachtree Pictures. You need someone who is solely in your corner. Don’t say anything over the phone, but I know Chandler. If this was aparty, there was something shady about it. I know about Chandler’s… Let’s call itlove of a game… And if someone is going to get thrown under the bus for ya’ll being there, it’s not going to be Chandler. He’s the hero of the moment, and it sure as hell isn’t going to be Matt Crawford.”

The sinking feeling was back. “I don’t know any lawyers.”

Skye was quiet for a minute. “Do you remember Cara? She was my makeup assistant?”

“Yeah, she’s Matt’s sister. I remember hearing the gossip.” Where was Skye going with this?

“Stepsister. Trust me, there is no family affection there. I don’t know the whole story, but he’s the reason she doesn’t work with Peachtree anymore. Her brother—her actual brother—is a defense attorney here in Atlanta. Want me to get his number?”

“I don’t know.” Dahlia’s headache was back. If she got a different lawyer from the studio, Matt and Victor were guaranteed to be unhappy. “It seems weird to hire Matt’s family. I could probably find one online…”

“Believe me, from what I know of the situation, it will kill Matt to have this guy involved.” Dahlia could hear the smile in Skye’s voice. “Cara said he’s a pretty big deal, so he must be good. Also, I got a look at a picture of her other brother once, and oh, honey! It would be worth hiring him just to stare at him up close!”

A laugh burst from Dahlia’s lips. “I appreciate eye candy as much as anyone, but I don’t need any new men in my life. Besides, my boyfriend is in the hospital.”

Skye snorted. “Boyfriend. Right!”

The women had never discussed it, but Dahlia knew Skye understood the true nature of her and Chandler’s situation.

The thought of Chandler decided her. Dahlia remembered Matt and Josh’s callous attitude toward their male lead. If that was their level of concern for someone who had actually been shot, her reputation wouldn’t factor into any decision they made.

Dahlia couldn’t trust that a lawyer they paid for would look out for her. “Yeah, if you could get me the number, that would be great. Thanks, Skye.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Is something wrong?”Luke picked up the phone as soon as his sister’s face appeared on the screen. Why was she calling him instead of enjoying her honeymoon?

“Everything’s perfect,” Cara assured him. “I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“A friend of mine needs a lawyer, and of course I thought of you.”

Luke groaned. “I’m not taking any new cases. Now that James is here, I’m taking my first vacation in years.”

“This won’t take up much of your time. She hasn’t been accused of anything. Did you hear about the movie star being shot in Atlanta last night? Chandler, the man who was shot, plays one of the main characters in that movie I worked on.”

“I saw something about it. Home invasion?” Luke hadn’t paid much attention to it. “What’s the connection to your friend?”

“I don’t think it was a regular party. Skye thinks there was probably illegal gambling going on. Lia was there with Chandler—she wasn’t gambling, from what Skye said. They kind of forced her to go.”

“Forced her?” Luke was skeptical. “Who is Skye?”