Chapter Nine

April 15

I’M FILLING IN Kim and Meg about my stint as a Disney Princess as we hike, and we all decide we’d better sit for a second to catch our breath before we go tumbling down the mountain. It’s not that we’re not in shape or anything, but they’re now both laughing so hard and clutching their sides that I’m worried one or both of them might faint.

“I…cannot…believe…you…did…that…” Meg says through bouts of laughter.

“Careful, preggo,” says Kim. “You’re hiking for two.”

“You can totally believe I did that,” I say, getting a few big gulps of air as we step to the side of the trail. “What I can’t believe is that I told you about it. I must be crazy.”

“Nah, you just wanted to impress a prince,” says Meg, reaching back for the water bottle I’m handing her. “And what better way to do that than pretending to be a princess?”

We laugh again and look out over the city. We’re about halfway up Piestewa Peak, but we’ve already got a pretty decent view of Phoenix. It’s early and it rained last night, so the city is clear and shiny. It’s pretty great. Plus, I’ve got my two best friends back and a couple of great guys who really care about me. Everything seems perfect until I flash for a moment to the awful things being said about me online.

There’s only been one Gossip A to Z post, but Sam says she’s getting several calls from other media outlets every day at the stores. Our social media pages have also started getting comments about everything, ranging from some trolls who pretty much agree with the initial post to some nice customers who defend me. I try to stay out of it, but it’s hard not to scroll through and see what’s being said.

I’m pushing myself back up off the rock I have been sitting on to focus on our hike when I see it. Just below us on the trail is a man with one of those big cameras with a long lens pointed right at me. Kim sees him too, and we both look at each other for a second.

“Is that…?” I start to ask.

“Stay with Meg,” she says, handing me her water bottle. “I’m faster than you.”

Before I can protest, Kim is scurrying back down the trail, heading right for the guy with the camera. He sees her and turns around, nearly knocking over a couple of hikers as he begins his rapid descent. They’re both soon out of my view, so Meg and I head down after them, but much slower and cautiously. The trail is a bit wet, making some of the rocks slippery, so we take our time, muttering to each other that we hope Kim is being careful.

By the time we get to the base of the mountain, Kim is walking back toward us, looking about as angry as I’ve ever seen her.

“He got away,” she says, kicking a rock. “I slipped and it slowed me down. I’m sorry, Cyn.”

“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “As long as you’re okay. Did you get a look at him? Or see what kind of car he was driving?”

“He had a hat and sunglasses,” she says. “And I didn’t see him get into a car. I heard one speeding away when I got there though, so I assume that was him. And yes, I’m fine. Just a little scrape on my hand and leg.”

“It’s six-thirty in the morning,” says Meg. “How in the world did he know we’d be here?”

We all stand there silently for a minute, and I hate to see how distraught Kim and Meg look at the thought of someone following us all. It’s been creepy enough for me to deal with, but they’re just starting to realize how awful it feels.

“I really hate these people,” says Kim, sounding defiant. “I wish I could have caught up to that guy.”

“I’m kinda glad you didn’t,” I say, laughing. “I’m not really in the mood to bail you out of jail for assaulting a man with his own camera.”

“That’s exactly what I was planning.” Kim trades her anger for a sarcastic smile. “How’d you know?”

“You’re resourceful,” I fire back. “And it only makes sense to use the bad guy’s weapon against him.”

I stand between them both, putting an arm around each of them, and lead us back to my car.

“Breakfast is on me,” I say. “I’d say it’s the least I can do after getting you both stalked by a stranger.”