“How bad is it?” he asked.
Miem shot him a murderous stare. “Bad enough for me to abandon Piet to come here.”
Justin waved Miem forward. “Why don’t we go sit and see what you have.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when his cellphone rang from inside where he’d left it.
He ignored it. One fire at a time.
“Let me see,” he said, extending his hand.
Miem unlocked her phone and thrust it toward him. “Fix it, mister movie man.”
The headlines leapt off the small screen.
IS JK KENZIE OFF THE MARKET?
Who is the mystery blonde?
Justin scanned the images — and swore under his breath.
They weren’t just from the supermarket.
Suzette let out a sigh. “That bad?”
He held up a finger. “One minute.”
He walked back to the front gate and beckoned Anders closer. “Please fetch my cellphone. It’s on the dining table. And the pen and pad.”
Justin returned to the women.
“Miem said there are pictures from yesterday,” Suzette said quietly.
“Yes.” He scrolled, found them, and handed her the phone.
Two images from the patio last night — Suzette curled on his lap, his hands under the hem of her dress, their mouths fused in a kiss.
They hadn’t done anything beyond that kiss, but the visuals were highly suggestive.
“Wow.” A light blush rose in her cheeks as she read the accompanying caption: “JK Kenzie caught enjoying his ‘Christmas gift’ in makeout session.”
Heart thumping, he watched her scroll.
“Is JK Kenzie playing house? Cozy supermarket moment sparks rumors,” she read aloud, her voice mild.
But he heard the strain underneath.
A sharp pang pierced Justin’s chest.
This is where she pulls away. Where she decides I’m not worth the scrutiny.
She handed the cellphone back to Miem — who was inexplicably quiet —and gave him a resigned look. “Now what?”
“We have several options.”
The distant ring of his cellphone grew louder, and Justin turned to see Anders approaching. The man handed over the items with a sympathetic look before retreating.
Justin glanced at the caller ID, then looked to Suzette. “It’s Emily. My publicist,” he clarified when Suzette frowned. “Let me take this call, then we’ll talk.”
