She punched in the international dialing code and continued on with the rest of Janey’s cell phone number.
It started to ring, and, as the tone bleeped in her ear, the reality of what she was about to do threatened to engulf her. She pulled the phone away and prepared to end the call.
‘Hello, Janey Jacobs.’
Even without speakerphone, Autumn heard her answer. She put the cell back to her ear and forced the words out of her mouth.
‘Hi, Janey, it’s me,’ she said, smiling widely in the hope the expression would filter into her voice.
‘Autumn! Where on earth are you? Has something happened? I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday morning, but your cell phone says it’s unobtainable.’
So she had realized she wasn’t around, not that it mattered now she was a liar and a cheat.
‘Oh, I lost it, somewhere between my mother and the record company. Listen, I need you to do something for me.’
Autumn started to walk. Movement injected pace into her tone, made her feel in control of the conversation. She needed to get all this out and ignore the fact that what she really wanted to do was tell Janey she knew about her and Juan and then call her a whore.
‘I’ll arrange a new phone right away, but where are you? You have the art gallery opening remember? Should I cancel?’ Janey continued.
‘Yes, cancel. Cancel everything for the next week or so.’
‘What? Autumn, what’s going on?’
‘Nothing… everything… I’ve… I’ve met someone,’ Autumn spoke, turning around to face the house.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’ve met someone, you know? A guy.’ Autumn couldn’t bring herself to look at Nathan. ‘Do I have to spell it out? I’ve met someone, someone special.’ Autumn grimaced over the words.
She turned, looked into the house. She could see Nathan staring out onto the deck, observing her. She swallowed and remembered what she was trying to achieve with this phone call—his plan to identify the extent of the threats, and her plan to humiliate her boyfriend and fire Janey.
‘Autumn, what are you talking about? Met who? Where are you? What’s going on?’
‘I need you to arrange a party. I’m in love, Janey, and I want the world to know. Plus, it will be fantastic publicity for the awards. Pull all the strings you have control of and those you don’t. I’ll give OK! an exclusive interview, and line up Star Life magazine for a four-page spread. Whatever fee they offer, this isn’t about the money.’
‘Are you okay? You don’t sound yourself. Where exactly are you? I can send a car to pick you up.’
‘Are you listening to me? Are you taking notes? I need a party arranged, tomorrow night, in Charlevoix. The best hotel there. The Ricardo.’
Irritated that Janey dared to question her, Autumn longed to reach down the line and grab hold of her Clarins-moisturized neck.
‘Where is Charlevoix?’
‘It’s in Michigan, Janey, in the US. Use Google Maps if you have to. Just get everyone there tomorrow night at eight.’
‘Everyone?’
‘What’s the matter with you? How many events have you helped organize? What’s the problem this time?’
‘Well, it’s short notice, and it’s the other side of the world. I mean, who is this new man, and what about Juan?’ Janey questioned.
‘Invite Juan. It’s important that he comes. I don’t want any awkwardness. We’re all grown-ups, and relationships in this business come and go.’ Including those with the lying, back-stabbing personal assistant you considered a friend. ‘He knows that. Listen, Janey, I really appreciate all your help. I don’t care how you do it, just get people there. Hire a fleet of jets if you have to. Okay?’
She was holding in her breath so hard, it was starting to hurt her ribcage. All those lies, one after another—it wasn’t natural to her. She was used to only embellishing the truth if she had to, but telling lies to someone she had been close to was difficult.
‘Is that where you are? At this Ricardo hotel?’ Janey inquired.
‘Not exactly, I’m…’
Nathan was still looking out of the window at her and she had clocked the door was open. He hadn’t told her not to tell Janey where she was before he’d handed her the phone. But then again, why did Janey need to know where she was? She would see her at the party tomorrow.
‘You’re… ?’ Janey asked.
‘Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Autumn spoke quickly then pushed the end button.
The breath flew from her mouth, rushing out of her lungs in one gigantic gust. She felt sick, and, suddenly, so very exhausted. She leaned against the wood fence that edged the deck and focused on the sunset across the lake. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the last few rays of sun on her face.
‘Did you tell her where you were?’
Nathan’s voice, even so close, didn’t shock her at all. She pushed away from the rail, opened her eyes, and looked up at him. He held his hand out for the phone and she pressed it into his palm.
‘No,’ she responded.
‘Why not?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. It didn’t feel right, and I got the feeling she really wanted to know,’ Autumn replied. ‘Besides, you could hear everything I said. You left the door open.’
A smile grew on his mouth, and he passed her the glass of wine he’d been holding.
‘You’re learning.’ He gave her an appreciative nod.
‘Well, what I really need to learn about is you. Now, I know your whole life is probably some sort of mystery, full of fake identities and secrets, but I need to know more about you if we’re going to convince a room full of people that we’re having some sort of relationship. I don’t care if you want to make something up, but I need to know details to pull this off.’ She swigged
