Reflected Pleasures by Linda Conrad Page B

photographer caught him coming out of his boyfriend’s house and the whole thing blew up in their faces, Brad’s publicist asked her to take a vacation for a while.
    She’d readily agreed. The “wronged” woman was not a role she had any intention of playing out in front of the entire world. Especially when it wasn’t true.
    â€œOkay, I understand why you needed to start a new life,” Janie began. “And I certainly accept that you had to change your looks in order to escape the paparazzi. It’s true your face is recognizable all over the world, and they would’ve made your life a miserable hell. They’re hot on your trail as we speak, as a matter of fact.
    â€œBut what I don’t understand is why in Stanville, Texas?” she continued. “Why involve decent people like Ty and Jewel in your deception?” Janie lifted her head with a thoughtful scowl. “They don’t know, do they?”
    â€œNo,” Merri said sadly. “They don’t know. I came here to do something worthwhile with my life. I really wanted to help raise funds for Ty’s foundation. And before I met them I was afraid they would give me away if they knew the truth.”
    Merri squirmed in her seat and continued. “I don’t expect you to believe this, but I also wanted to live a normal life. For once in my life, I wanted to know what it would be like for people to think I’m just a regular person. To maybe make a friend who didn’t want something from me or my family.”
    Janie sat back in her chair and studied Merri’s face. “You did a damn good makeup job there, honey. If I hadn’t seen you just a few weeks ago before a show without your makeup, I might’ve missed the connection altogether.
    â€œAnd I can almost understand your motivations,” Janie went on. “But…none of it excuses you from taking the chance of hurting Ty and Jewel. Why don’t you simply tell them the truth? I’d be willing to bet they’d keep up the charade for you.”
    Merri shook her head. “Maybe it wouldn’t bother Jewel, but Ty would hate me. He can’t stand liars of any sort. It’s too late for me to go back now.”
    Janie cocked her head and frowned. “Mmm. You can’t keep this up indefinitely, you know. You will have to tell him the truth someday.”
    Merri dropped her chin. “Yeah, I know. But I thought if I could get by for a few more months…just until the paparazzi lose interest in me…that by that time Ty and Jewel would’ve grown to like me for who I really am. Then maybe they wouldn’t hate me so much when they find out the truth.”
    Janie thought that over for a few seconds. “Well…It’s against my better judgment. I think that the longer you go on lying to Ty, the worse it will be when he learns the truth.”
    â€œPlease,” Merri begged. “Let me do it my way. I’m trying to walk a fine line with Ty—a line between becoming his friend and letting him get too close. Give me a few more months. And besides, I think I’m really beginning to make a difference for his kids. I just need a little more time.”
    â€œAll right,” Janie agreed grudgingly. “Making a better life for those abandoned and abused kids will give you a second chance with Ty, I know. But be careful. If you hurt him, I will hunt you down and ruin your life. This whole thing could go wrong at any turn.”
    â€œI know,” Merri whispered. “Believe me, I know.”
    Â 
    A couple of hours later Ty strolled across the main floor of the department store and stepped onto the escalator. He hefted the packages in his arms and caughthimself as he began to whistle an old Willie Nelson love song.
    Whistling? Ty hadn’t whistled in years. Interesting that he was finding himself doing things he would not have contemplated doing only a few short weeks ago.
    It