Page 47 of Toni and Addie Go Viral

Addie

Addie stared at the article. Clipping, really.

It was just a clickbait social media post that led to photos from the weekend.

She wasn’t expecting to end up as the source of gossip, not for something as innocuous as a kiss.

If she’d gotten caught in that garden in Edinburgh with Toni, that would be different.

This was a costumed weekend of make-believe.

Plenty of people online were making that exact point, but that adoring look in Toni’s eyes, the way her gaze was fixed on Addie, those were hard to explain away.

If I knew who sold or shared these pictures, I’d kick their asses.

But all Addie knew in this moment was that the wedding was apparently officiated by a real minister. Was it legal then? He’d muddled Addie’s name, but he’d also been a real wedding officiant.

We had no marriage license, though.

Addie read the snippet again. It read like they were stealth marrying without telling the guests it was real. The pretense, according to this spin, was that it was a real wedding right under the noses of the guests.

MODERN VICTORIAN brIDES?

Ingenue Adelaine Stewart was recently cast in the adaptation of her new wife’s book—and at a Victorian ball to celebrate The Whitechapel Widow ’s success the two tied the knot in an elaborate “costume” wedding.

The twist? A real reverend! The author wore a custom tailcoat in a ladies’ cut and the actress wore a lovely 1892 dress.

From invisible to married in mere months, this couple knows how to make a statement.

So Addie forwarded the link to the studio publicity team and to her manager, June, with a question. “Am I actually married?”

She stared at the email after she hit SEND .

Would it be so bad if it were real? She cared about Toni, and she was certain she’d be in love if not for the walls she kept erecting to protect her heart.

They talked, laughed, enjoyed both dates and intimacy.

In all the ways that Addie could imagine, they fit.

They both had their own careers, so no one could be accused of stealing the other’s money.

They were building trust—in and out of bed.

Marriage would be a bit hasty, but on the other hand, they’d spent a year exchanging email.

Toni doesn’t want a wife, though. She might want me now, but not forever.

And I don’t want to give up my career for anyone.

That was the crux of the problem. Toni didn’t want a commitment, and Addie wanted a career. On the other hand, she’d watched her parents find ways to respect their desire to be together but not necessarily in all the ways that seemed “traditional.” Maybe there was a compromise to be had here, too.…

Only if we both want it, though. And she doesn’t.

Addie had washed the few not-Victorian clothes she had with her, and she’d decided to ship the others back to LA. The dresses were studio property, so after she’d sorted out her personal things from the studio property, she had a shipping service pick it up.

“Releasing promo photos and video teaser today,” June texted. “Riding wave of viral photos by releasing useful things.”

Addie rolled her eyes. June was as subtle as a brick with her remark on “useful things.” It wasn’t as if Addie intended the photos to leak or be misconstrued. At least some of the responses were focusing on the costumes and on the show—and by extension on the book.

“Live morning show request,” June’s next text said.

That one, Addie couldn’t ignore. “Where?”

“Several. One in Chicago, one in Richmond. Both of you. First on Wednesday.”

“What happened to saying nothing?” Addie frowned.

“Publisher sent a statement. Darbyshire admitted that you are dating, but the wedding was simply part of historical weekend not real. No marriage license. No legal wedding.”

Toni admitted it? Addie read and reread that message again. Toni admitted that we were dating. In writing. In media.

“Details?”

The text included a screenshot:

The author notes that they met in Scotland, and that she “named the character after Adelaine.” She was unaware that Miss Stewart had moved to the States or had auditioned until the actor was cast. She strenuously objects to any implications of impropriety in casting.

Will reword her expletive laden note on the topic and admonishments that anyone viewing the show will be clear of Stewart’s talent being why she was cast. Author notes that they are casually dating.

Press release to follow as per author’s insistence.

Please ask Miss Stewart to use these talking points.

“Agree to appearances?”

“Yes but only me,” Addie replied. “Toni is teaching.”

The trio of little dots flickered as June typed, presumably erased, and typed some more. When her reply came, it only said, “Checking with her people if that will work for her.”

There was no way Toni was going to Chicago, and honestly, Addie was fairly certain she didn’t want her to come—although that statement was impossibly sweet.

Addie reread it. Toni might admit they were involved, but she clearly needed time to figure out what she thought about the increased intimacy between them, and having an interviewer poke at her feelings was likely to make Toni back up more.

I’ll sacrifice the promo for her happiness. It wasn’t just Toni’s happiness at risk. Addie wanted Toni in her life, as permanently as she was willing to be. That meant that the interviews were a terrible plan.

Addie pulled on her clean underwear and jeans.

She’d need to shop after all, especially if she had a couple live TV spots.

She’d done enough media training to know that nothing she had here would be suitable, and she’d already shipped her costume dresses back.

She could’ve used one of those. This time, however, she would make a statement.

Polished. Professional. Abundantly clear that she was an actor—and that speculations about her personal life were off-limits.

She picked up her phone and emailed June, cc’ing Marcela and the publicity team, a message that said: “I need official talking points for interviews. I can make them work.”

Then she looked at the map and decided to see Toni rather than find interview clothes. She texted: “Going to be near campus. Lunch?”

Toni didn’t reply, but Addie figured she could still be in class or meeting students or something.

Addie hadn’t pressed too much about Toni’s schedule, because when she asked questions, Toni seemed to retreat.

Addie was fairly sure that, given the option, Toni would hide most things about herself.

She was intensely private to the point that asking about her teaching schedule felt like prying.

Another reason we can’t work, Addie thought.

She put a few odds and ends in her bag, borrowed a cardigan Toni had included in her pile of clothes to use, and headed toward the Metro.

After being in Europe for a couple years, it was more natural to use public transit than rideshares, but as Addie walked to the station, she saw a huge image of herself, one of the promo shots taken on the set.

She looked back at the larger-than-life Addie Wight staring out from a bus before quickly ducking her head.

She might not be as private as Toni, but Addie was not sure how she felt about her ability to avoid being unnoticed.

Her privacy seemed to be in peril—but honestly, the way she looked as Addie the character was so different.

There, her hair was primped, her face painted, and her bosom lifted like it was screaming “notice me.” The real version of Addie was wearing thrift-store jeans, well-worn boots, and a sweater she’d tossed on over a borrowed T-shirt. She looked like a student.

A stray thought of pretending to be a student with Toni had Addie’s cheeks burning when the innocent thought quickly went offtrack.…

Addie stared out the grimy dark window of the Metro car, buffeted by a weird mix of the ozone-ish smell that permeated the train car and the underlying scent of sweat.

At least it was warmer in here than it had been in the short walk to the station.

Addie had apparently adapted to LA weather again, because DC felt cooler than she’d expected.

Is it normally this cold in October?

The car wasn’t very crowded at midday, which helped Addie feel less conspicuous. She got off, walked the short distance to the college, and looked at the campus map she’d screenshotted.

A glance at the time told her she was going to be earlier than planned, but better that than late. Hopefully Toni checked her messages and knows I’ll be there.

Addie felt at ease on the campus, students darting from place to place with backpacks on their shoulders. A surprising number of pay-as-you-go scooters rested against old-fashioned lamp poles, and the buildings themselves could’ve been modeled on Edinburgh’s architecture.

She found Toni’s office building with its shiny brass plate declaring it Tulip Hall and joined the crowds heading through the building.

The map said it connected to other buildings where classrooms were held, so she couldn’t blame the students for cutting through it to avoid the chill outside.

While it wasn’t winter, the air had a sharper bite today—one her light cardigan wasn’t exactly repelling.

One door was decorated like a child’s party was about to erupt, and Addie felt a sinking sensation. That had to be Toni’s office. Maybe she hadn’t replied because she was mortified.

“You’re Dr. Darbyshire’s surprise wife, right?

” a young woman asked. Addie hadn’t even noticed her until that moment.

Very queer style—undercut, masculine trousers, and button-up Oxford.

In a weird moment, Addie realized her overall look and style was similar to a slightly younger Toni, one who had not yet adopted vests and blazers.

The woman looked like she was loosely Addie’s age, late twenties, but far more Toni’s build.