Kacy starts walking backwards in the opposite direction. “I’ll get right on that boss.”
I’m still smiling as she disappears but my mind has already moved back to Jessamine. I want to see her again without acting like a stalker and popping up to an event where she’s scheduledto appear. It is still an option depending on the day. I’d rather not be that guy but I can be.
Dating for me has been sporadic at best prior to meeting Jessamine and It’s gotten worse since. I’d gone on a couple of dates after but the women didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t get past the first date and I’m well out of the fuck-for-fun phase. My reaction to seeing Jessamine on the television screen was the first flicker of sexual attraction I’ve felt in a long time.
The goal is to not be impulsive about chasing that spark. Scaring her off is the last thing I’d want to do.
My phone pings the moment I sit down in my vehicle. I have alerts turned on for all things Jessamine. The article loads and the headline for it hurts my feelings.
Jessamine Roe Seen Pushing a Child!
I shake my head with irritation because I find that so hard to believe. The video plays and it’s obvious to me that she’s trying to move away from whomever was talking to her and didn’t see the child.
The horror on her face is also evident although the article says otherwise. It’s obviously rage bait but the comments are mainly negative sprinkled with a few people who saw the same as me. It’s an innocent collision.
“When will this stop?” I grumble to myself as I start my car.
I’m off to visit a mixologist to craft mocktails for my line. The plan is to do a media roll out by sending the kits to a few key influencers. I also have media teams in place with people from all my target ages.
We’ve had a few sample parties and the majority of the reviews were positive. Now, we have to increase the buzz for the hard push.
Kacy calls while I’m stuck in traffic. “Hey Cole, I haven’t heard from Jessamine’s team about Elevated Botanicals so I plan to pivot by dangling a free week at the resort. I’m thinking with all the press lately, a week here with no one else around would sound like bliss.”
I like the sound of it more than she realizes.
“That’s a good idea. I say go ahead with the offer. If she cannot come this week, aim for the week I’ll be testing all the amenities since full staff will be in place.”
“Makes sense. We don’t want to push back the opening any longer.”
“Okay, good. Let me know how it goes.”
I disconnected before my excitement could show. This is Kacy’s idea and that’s how the story needs to remain. At this rate, I’ll have to give her a raise if this works out. As infatuated as I am, it never occurred to me to bring her to the resort.
If this works, I’ll have her all to myself for a full week. The possibilities thrill me.
Chapter 5
Jessamine
“Jessamine, can you explain why you have a problem with Adán El Rey’s new relationship?”
I whip my head to the side to try to see who’s pushing a microphone into my face. Weeks of the same questions are wearing my nerves thin but this narrative is problematic on so many levels.
“When have I ever said that?”
“Answer the question,” the pushy paparazzi with the beer belly says. The massive sweat stain could mean he was waiting for me to surface to ask me bullshit.
“You answer my question instead. Why are you bothering me and making up bullshit?”
I move around him, opting to not waste anymore time but one of his friends flanks me.
“So you’re bitter.” She implies.
“Never bitter, always busy. I don’t give a damn what my ex does. Move.”
I pivot to get away from the space invaders and something solid hits my leg. A small whooshing sound escapes the kid’s lips before he collides with the ground.
“Oh no,” I sigh as I bend to help him up.
