Fearless Love: The Love Series, #12

By Emma Keene

Part Twelve of The Love Series

Amy is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and she’s getting ready to tackle her next role—being a mom. Spencer has cleared his schedule, and they’re both ready to welcome a new baby into the world in just a few weeks.

Chloe insists that Amy audition for a film, just to keep herself relevant. Amy is resistant, but she eventually gives in. Everything goes fine… until the screenwriter shows up at the house and says something to Amy that will send a shockwave through their lives.

Spencer comes to the defense of Amy, but in the process, does something that will stay with him for the rest of his life. Amy goes on national television to tell the world the truth about really happened as they face being ostracized from Hollywood.

Everything is about to change for Amy and Spencer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outfox Digital Publishing
• Release date: Dec 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9798215536667

Emma Keene

I live in beautiful Seattle, WA with my amazing, supportive husband and our two German Shepherds that truly believe it's all about them. I love the rain and it gives me plenty of time to read and write. Visit emmakeene.com to find out more about Emma or to join her mailing list.

Book preview

1

Seven weeks .

I can do this.

Seven more weeks.

Then this baby will be out of me. It will become a living, breathing, little person. A human being that we made.

It still blows my mind that this is really happening. That day in New York, where Spencer showed up at the hotel to surprise me, seems like it was yesterday. So much has changed since then, but a lot has stayed the same. He’s still the same amazing, kind, and sweet man now as he was then. He held my hand for the first doctor appointment I had, my first ultrasound... every step along this journey. Yes, there have been some challenges… but they have been my fault for the most part.

I went with Spencer when he traveled for his last film, but I was suffering from terrible morning sickness most of the time. I was miserable and no fun to be around. He was wonderful, though. He’d do as much for me as he could, but I also tried to be as tough as possible—he was working, and I didn’t think it was fair for me to monopolize his time and energy. With about a week to go, he was starting to look ragged and exhausted, so I decided to go home and give him a break.

Spencer wasn’t thrilled with that decision and we got into a little bit of a row when I told him my decision. I ended up staying for another day… basically until we both calmed down. I remember reading one time that you should never go to bed angry. I know we weren’t going to bed, but I feel like the idea applied to my leaving and going home.

He came around a little, but insisted that Dex loan us Nina to look after me until he got home. I wanted to fight him on that, but decided it was better to let him have that small victory… it was important to me that he focus on finishing up his film.

It was nice to have Nina for a week. Dex was in Colorado, so he didn’t mind… and she was more than happy to cook for me and clean the house. It made me realize we’re probably going to have to hire some help once the baby comes. I mean, I could do it all on my own, but what’s the point? It would just make things so much easier and we can afford it, so I figure it’s a good idea. Spencer wasn’t crazy about the idea of a relative stranger basically living with us, but I’m getting him to slowly come around. I’m planning to interview some people this week. I don’t really know what to expect since I’ve never done this kind of thing before, but I don’t imagine it can be that difficult.

I ease myself down onto the couch and put my feet up on the coffee table. No easy task considering how large my belly has gotten. I stopped weighing myself after I gained twenty pounds… it just didn’t seem like there was any point.

My phone rings. I left it on the kitchen counter. Ugh. I slowly get up, there’s no way I’m going to reach it in time… so I might as well take my time and decide if I want to call them back once I see who it is. It better not be a sales call, that’s for sure. The call rolls over to voicemail before I make it halfway to the counter.

I grab my phone and head back to the couch. No message, but it was Chloe that called. We’ve been talking once a week, or so. Not my choice, that’s for sure. She wants to be constantly updated on my pregnancy and how I’m feeling about going to work after I have the baby.

When I told her, I was pregnant and that I’d be passing on 12 Minutes, the heist film where I bombed the audition on purpose, she was a little disappointed. She tried to convince me to do it before I started to show, but I didn’t feel like it was a good idea—I didn’t want to endanger my pregnancy even the slightest bit. Chloe did eventually come around and I think she realized this might be good for my career. I’ve barely been able to leave the house the past couple of months without paparazzi circling me like the sharks they are.

I pull up her number and call her back. I’m not exactly doing anything, so it’ll help to pass the time before Spencer gets back from the gym.

Hello?

Hey, Chloe… it’s Amy.

Oh, hello… I just tried calling you.

Yeah, sorry… I was on the couch and my phone was on the counter.

Right.

Her tone makes me think she doesn’t know quite understand what I mean by that, but I don’t really feel like explaining that I’m like a beached whale and can’t move that quickly.

Anyway, I say, what’s up?

I just wanted to see how you’re doing.

Really?

Of course.

I’m… I’m alright. Just normal pregnancy stuff.

I see.

It seems like she’s holding back.

Is that it? I ask.

Well… I mean… now that you mention it… I do have something I wanted to talk to you about.

I knew there was more to this call.

Yeah?

Do you think we could meet to talk about it? she asks.

I sigh and close my eyes. It’s too much of a chore to leave the house for something like a simple meeting… something that can be done over the phone.

I’d really rather not, I say. I need a day to just sit at home and chill out.

I haven’t done anything the last few days, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m in my third trimester and I don’t feel the need to answer to anyone other than myself… especially Chloe.

How about I swing by your house?

I open my eyes and look around. The house is a bit of a mess and I’d need to clean up… something I really don’t want to do.

I’m not sure….

I’m actually close, Chloe says, I’ll be there in like five.

Uh….

See you soon.

She ends the call.

Seriously?

I sit up and put my phone down on the coffee table. She must really need to talk to me if she’s willing to come over here and not even give me the chance to tell her no. Hmm. It’s probably some script she wants me to read, but I’m not sure what the rush is… I have no interest in returning to acting in the immediate future. This baby comes first.

I groan as I stand up from the couch and start to pick up. It’s not exactly dirty in here, but there’s some mail and dirty dishes from breakfast on the counter. Spencer said he’d clean up when he got home, he had an appointment with his trainer and was running late.

Chloe knocks just as I finish loading the dishwasher. I shake my head and walk toward the door. I was bending over for like two minutes and my back is killing me. So ridiculous. I’m really looking forward to having this little monster out of my body.

I open the door and let her in. Chloe looks at me while I close the door.

You’re… very pregnant.

We’ve been talking on a regular basis, but I haven’t seen her in person for at least a couple of months.

Yeah, that’s what usually happens.

She shakes her head as we walk into the living room and sit down.

So, what did you want to talk about.

Chloe clears her throat.

A couple of things, actually.

Yeah?

This should be good. I’m trying to stay levelheaded. She’s never steered me wrong, although… I’ve had to stand up for myself on a few occasions.

There are a couple of great opportunities and I don’t want you to miss out on them.

I’m pregnant… I can’t be acting right now.

Chloe pauses and just stares at me for a few seconds.

Just let me finish, she says.

Fine.

I lean back and take a deep breath. It seems like she’s a little hesitant to tell me what’s going on, which worries me.

The first thing is… well… I got a new script I want you to check out.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a rolled-up script. Chloe hands it to me and I check the name before setting it down on the couch next to me. Please Forget Me. Hmm. I’m going to reserve any judgment until I get the chance to read it. The problem, though, for me, is that I don’t have any idea when I’ll be ready to go back to work. I’ve told her that a couple of times in the past few months, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

They are going to start shooting in three months… roughly.

That means about five weeks after I give birth. Hmm. There’s no way I’m going to work that soon after. Not only will I need some time to recover… and lose the baby weight, but I’m going to want to spend a lot of time with the little munchkin. I guess that’s a conversation I need to have with Spencer… so I can get his take on the whole thing.

Alright, I say, I’ll check it out in the next couple days.

Good… good. I think you’ll really like the script.

I just nod in response. There’s not much else to say, not unless I want to start an argument with her about when I’m going back to work.

What was the other thing? I ask.

Chloe pauses and slowly nods. She doesn’t want to tell me, that much is clear. What could it possibly be? She’s always open when it comes to telling me about jobs, so I’m not sure what to think.

It’s a magazine story.

What?

It’s a cover story… with a bunch of photos and an interview to follow in a few weeks.

I tilt my head to the side as my eyes narrow.

Like… you mean after I give birth?

Chloe shakes her head.

They want to do the photo shoot in the next week.

No… that’s not gonna happen.

Chloe takes a deep breath and stands up from the couch.

Look, she says, turning back to look at me, I know you’re not crazy about the idea, but I think it’s a really great opportunity for you… and for your career.

I turn my head and Arte comes strolling down the hall and walks into the living room. She’s been asleep in the bedroom since Spencer left. Arte walks up to Chloe, smells her for a few seconds and then curls up on the floor near my feet.

I’m not even sure what that means, I say.

It could help you get back into the swing of things… remind everyone in town that you’re still here.

I take a deep breath and shake my head. It’s true that I’ve been out of acting for a while, but we just stopped filming our show, but plan to start again once the baby is born, and I’m staying active on social media… so it’s not like I’ve dropped off the face of the earth.

It’s something she’s told me repeatedly, though, so I’m not surprised she’s bringing it up. Chloe is persistent, that’s for sure.

I’m not worried about that, I say.

She puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head.

Just think about it.

"No… I’m not going to do a photo shoot looking like… this. I’m gigantic. Nobody wants to see those photos."

You’d be surprised. Pregnancy is trending in Hollywood right now.

I wrinkle my forehead. That might be the case, but that doesn’t mean I need to be a part of it. Updating my fans on social media about how the pregnancy is going is about the only exposure I feel like having. Even that was a challenge in the beginning. I rarely posted, but I found it gave me something to occupy my time… and they seem to be excited for us, which is nice.

I just don’t feel comfortable doing it.

She pulls an offer sheet out and drops it on the coffee table. Chloe turns and starts walking toward the door.

I’ll let myself out, she says, in a flat tone.

She’s already at the door before I can even get off the couch.

Wait, I say.

I’m too late. Chloe closes the door and there’s no way I’m going to chase her down… even if I wanted to.

I’m in a weird mood now. Not how I pictured today going when I woke up this morning. I thought I was going to relax… just hang out at home and rest. That was it. Maybe call my mom to check in with her. Now, though, it’s going to take all my energy to get out of this funk. I get why Chloe wanted to tell me about these opportunities, but she knows me well enough by now that she should know I wouldn’t be interested.

There’s no way I’m doing a photo shoot looking like this.

I put my hand on my stomach and sigh. Just a few more weeks. I’m starting to get anxious about giving birth, but I’m also doing my best to stay calm and keep everything in perspective. This is just another adventure and it’s going to be amazing.

2

I’m still sitting on the couch when Spencer walks into the house. I haven’t been completely lazy, though… I did start reading the script for Please Forget Me . I’m about halfway through it and it’s completely riveting.

Hey, Spencer says, as he drops his gym bag on the floor and walks over to the couch.

Hi.

How are you?

I’m OK. How was the gym?

Good... I’m tired.

He leans down and gives me a quick kiss.

Do you mind if I hop in the shower? I’m feeling kinda gross.

I smile and nod. He turns and starts walking down the hall.

It takes me a minute, but I eventually get off the couch and head toward the back. Arte groans and reluctantly follows me. She jumps onto the bed as I walk to the bathroom door and lean against the frame. Spencer has a towel wrapped around his waist as he waits for the water to warm.

What’s up? he asks.

Chloe came over.

Really?

Yeah… not long after you left.

Huh. What did she want?

He sticks his arms into the shower to test the temperature of the water.

She wanted me to read this script.

Yeah?

It’s good… I mean… I really like it, but I told her I wasn’t ready to go back to work.

When are they shooting? he asks.

In three months.

He nods and looks at me.

That’s a decision you’re going to have to make for yourself.

I shake my head.

I don’t know. I feel like… I want your opinion… and I’m not sure when I’ll be ready to go back. I want to wait until after the baby comes to figure that out, but… yeah. I’m not sure where that leaves me.

How in love with the script are you?

I shrug and shift my weight to my left leg.

It’s… I mean… the script is amazing. The story is very compelling, the dialogue is phenomenal, and I love the story. So far, at least. I’m not done reading it, so it’s hard to say for sure.

He nods and shrugs.

It sounds like you should think about doing it.

Maybe.

Let me shower… and then we can talk about it.

I nod. He hops in the shower and I walk back into the bedroom. I lie down on the bed next to Arte and pet her.

What do you think? I ask.

She groans in response.

I’m not sure, either.

It’s the best script I’ve read since… well… probably since forever. I’m just torn—I’m not sure that I’ll want to work right away. I imagined that I’d stay at home with the baby for the first year and then maybe start taking a few small parts, nothing major, to get myself back into the groove. Going right back for a starring role five weeks after giving birth is just… it might be too much. Ugh.

Would it be that terrible if I went back to work right away? I’m sure we could work something out where Spencer could take care of the baby while I’m on set… or something. It wouldn’t be easy, but it’s not an impossibility. He doesn’t have any roles lined up because we wanted to wait until after the baby was born, so he would be free. I’m not sure how he’d feel about it, though. I mean, I know he would do it for me, but I wouldn’t want to force him to stay at home while I worked for a couple of months. That’s a lot of pressure to put on him… I think.

We need to talk more about it before I get excited about the possibility of doing Please Forget Me. I tend to work myself up and get hyped… and I don’t want to be disappointed if it doesn’t