of activewear.
“Tell me about the inspiration for the name. Timothy is not the type of activewear label we’re used to seeing,” the journalist, Sammy-Jo asks.
“It’s in honor of our dads,” Penny replies. “Both are called Timothy, and both are big influences in our lives.”
“That is so sweet. I bet they’re both super proud of your recent success.”
Penny glances at me before she replies, “Oh, they are. So proud.”
“You’re a couple of Daddy’s Girls, huh?” she asks with a grin.
“Definitely,” I reply. “They’ve been positive influences in our lives, and we both owe them so much.” I know Dad would be immensely proud of me if he were alive to see this. And it’s all happened so fast. The first episode of Dating Mr. Darcy aired only weeks ago, and since then our sales have shot right up. It’s made us think we can make a real go of this business.
“It says here you design the clothes, Penny. Tell me about that.”
Penny talks Sammy-Jo through her creative process, and I interject every now and then with points about fabric sourcing and all the business aspects I take care of.
“Now,” Sammy-Jo says once we’ve satisfied her questions, “I’m certain our readers want to know what it’s like to date Mr. Darcy. Is he just as gorgeous in person as he looks on TV, Emma?” She looks at me with bright, expectant eyes.
I knew I would get questions about the show from people. Journalists, friends, family. Mom has barely been able to contain herself, telling me every five minutes how she always thought I would achieve great things—by which she means marrying a rich guy and living in a fancy house. Contractually, I’m not allowed to tell anyone anything, of course. And I’ve stuck to it religiously, except for with Penny. I had to tell someone, and being my best friend and business partner, she needed to know what a disaster it was for me.
And I needed a shoulder to cry on for the last seven weeks and two days.
I plaster on a smile and reply, “He is a very good looking guy.”
“Good looking?” she says. “Girl, he’s a dreamboat.” She fans herself and looks like she might swoon. “I know y’all can’t tell me anything, but did you get to go on a date with him? Maybe even kiss the guy? Please tell me you did.”
“I’m sorry, Sammy-Jo. I can’t tell you anything about the show right now. But I do hope you enjoy watching it.”
“Oh, I do. Can I tell you what I think?”
Can I stop her?
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“I think he’s going to end up with that beautiful girl Phoebe. The one with the long blond hair. They’re both tall and gorgeous. Those two would make beautiful babies together.”
I think of how Camille would feel about Sammy-Jo’s wish and this time my smile is genuine. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Penny shoots me a concerned look. “I think that wraps it up. Sammy-Jo, thank you so much.”
“One more question,” Sammy-Jo says, her eyes bright. “Did he do the pond scene? You know, diving in and getting all wet with that white shirt clinging to all his muscles?”
Penny stands up to signal the interview is now over. “Is that the time? Sammy-Jo, I am so sorry but we are going to have to go to our next appointment. It has been such a treat to spend time with you, though.”
Her face falls. “Oh, of course.”
I shoot Penny a grateful look. She’s my bestie and she’s totally got my back.
As she bundles Sammy-Jo outside, I slump back in my chair. Not only did I have to say goodbye to the man I thought was the love of my life, but now with the show airing, I won’t be allowed to get on with forgetting about him.
I rub my forehead and let out a heavy sigh. I tell myself I will move on. I will get over him.
Although right now, it feels a million miles away.
Chapter 29
Penny slips the straps of her handbag over her shoulder. “Promise me you won’t bail. This will be good for you, Em. It’ll give you closure.”
“I still fail to see how watching a guy who dumped me propose to someone else is going to give me closure, particularly if it’s odious Camille.”
“Trust me, okay? My therapist friend told me it would help you.”
“Why were you talking to your therapist friend about me?”
She gives me a sympathetic look.
“Yeah, okay. Don’t say it.”
She pulls me in for a hug.