“No. It’s fine.”
After saying their goodbyes to the booksellers, they all ended up buying several books, and Kaelee also bought a shirt. Bags in hand, Kaelee and Toni followed Charlie to the waiting car.
“I’m thinking we set up an article or three. I can pitch a featureon the former Alden heiress striking out on her own, carving out a place in the world, and moving forward. You aren’t disparaging anyone by saying you chose to pursue academia and a career without using family connections.” Charlie nodded at the idea. “It’s not untrue.”
“So leave out the homophobia and rape I was fleeing?”
“Exactly. Simply focus on being a self-defined woman. You chose a new identity, an homage to your grandparents whose trust fund you had as a cushion,” Charlie continued. “Then you lived frugally and earned scholarships and assistantships, so that trust fund is still intact?”
“Correct.”
“That’s inspiring. You chased your dreams, and along the way, you sold a phenomenal, well-reviewed book and found love.” Charlie had a definite cat-who-ate-the-canary look. “This will spin well.”
“You can quote me,” Toni offered. “She queried agents without me introducing her, too. No strings pulled. Em will offer a quote, too.”
“Risa and Greta will, too.” Charlie paused, looking thoughtful. “Follow-up piece on strong role models… I’ll run everything by you.”
Kaelee shook her head. “I trust you. That’s what you do with a great publicist. Trust them to do the job.”
Charlie preened. “Thank you, Kaelee. We’ll manage this, and they’ll come out looking like villains without us having to outright say it. I’ll run it all past legal, too.”
“Mywifewill be happy to offer a quote, too, since poor Kae was wrongly photographed as the ‘other woman’ last year.” Toni looked intimidating then. “I’d be upset if that nonsense surfaced again, so… while we’re at it.”
“Of course! A quote from Addie would carry sizzle, too.” Charlie leaned back in her seat, looking gleeful. “Tripp Alden won’t know what hit him with so many influential women speaking up.”
Kaelee couldn’t stop the wide smile on her lips. She really hadfound everything she needed. She had the friends, the career, the security, and the woman.Dreams can come true sometimes.
The car pulled up at the hotel, and they all got out and headed into the lobby.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she told them both as she headed to the elevator.
GRETA
By the time Kaelee returned to the hotel room an hour or so later, Greta was a wreck. She’d changed into a hotel robe and ordered a bottle of wine and light snacks. Kaelee hadn’t eaten much before the event, so she was likely to be hungry—unless the talk with Charlie was too upsetting.
Greta was under the duvet, reading a book, when the hotel room door opened, and Kaelee’s gaze found her unerringly. Kaelee dropped her stuff on the desk and sat in the office chair beside it.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to complicate your life.” Greta folded her hands together and waited. “I’ll handle the fallout myself. You don’t have to expose your—”
“What?” Kaelee leaned forward in the chair.
“I know you’re a private person,” Greta started.
“So are you.” Kaelee stood up, moved closer, and crawled up the bed toward Greta. “You’re fucking ridiculous. I want to protect you from the bullshit in my past that seems to have crept into my now.”
“And I want to protect you from anything that ever could upset you,” Greta whispered as Kaelee put a hand on either side of her, pinning her in place. “Once I stopped trying to resist falling for you, nothing else mattered. I know my career is safe, so that leaves one priority in my entire life.You.”
Kaelee’s arms framed Greta against the pillow, holding her pinned by the duvet. One leg slotted between Greta’s eagerly parting thighs.
“Sexy and considerate. You’re pretty amazing.” Kaelee kissedGreta’s throat and worked her way along her jaw. She covered Greta’s mouth with her own, leaning against her from chest to hip, pressing one leg firmly against Greta’s center and rocking forward. “Did you know you were amazing, darlin’?”
“I’m so glad you think so.” Greta arched upward. When Kaelee brushed kisses along her throat, Greta tilted her head so Kaelee could continue along her path. “Mmm. If you want, I can remove this robe.”
“Well, Ididjust have a book release, and I wanted to celebrate that with something fun.” Kaelee put her whole body weight on one arm so she could peel back the duvet. “Greta?”
“Yes?”
Kaelee swallowed visibly. “I want to do something different tonight.”
