“It’s not your fault. And my mother isn’t a prude. She doesn’t care aboutthatpart, just the part where the entire city knows Molly caught us while…you know.”
“While I was still inside you?” he murmurs, sending heat rushing to my cheeks andotherplaces I refuse to think about.
I clear my throat. “Yeah. That.”
I turn, heading down the path again, needing to move.
Standing still too long around this man is dangerous. You never know when my self-control will slip, and I’ll end up tearing his clothes off in the great outdoors.
“Though, to be fair,” I continue, “wewereon private property, like you said. And we thought we were alone. So…”
“Not such a big deal for two adults. Especially two adults who had a little too much to drink after fighting the chemistry between them for months.”
I exhale a chemistry-banishing breath. “Right. We have to keep the story pretty close to what actually happened, or our friends won’t believe it. And we should keep the fact that it’s fake between us, I think. The fewer people who know about our secret, the more likely we’ll be able to keep it.”
“And we don’t want our friends to feel obligated to lie for us,” he agrees. “So, we had a red-hot night in June, have been fighting the pull ever since, but gave in last night. The chemistry and connection were too intense to deny, and I finally convinced you that I don’t give a shit about the age gap. Or the fact that you can’t have biological children. If we end up going all the way, we could always adopt, I’m fine with that, etc.”
“Yes, that sounds perfect.” I press my lips together, wondering if he actuallymeantthat last part, but knowing it’s best not to ask.
I know whatIwant in a relationship, and a younger man who can never fully understand what someone nearly a decade his senior is going through isn’t it.
“Andyoufinally convincedmethat something long-term might be in my future,” he adds. “That maybe thereisa woman who really gets me out there, after all.”
I shoot him a sideways glance, but decide not to examine that statement too closely, either. Wading in too deep with real intimacy will only cloud the fake dating waters.
“Backstory locked,” I agree, moving on. “Now, we need first steps. Half the city already knows that Charlotte Delaney of The Garden District Delaneys was fucking an NHL player in her backyard last night. The other half will know before sundown. Which means we need to capitalize on the gossip momentum, while honing the narrative. Preferably as quickly as possible.”
“Okay. Capitalizing and honing.” He rolls his shoulders back, stretching his neck to one side, then the other, before he adds, “Is it just me or do those words sound stressful when they’re up against each other?”
“It’s not just you. But don’t be stressed. We’ll take things one step at a time, and everything will be fine. I think we should focus on your situation first. Image rehab is the most pressing need.”
He glances my way, his forehead furrowing. “Are you sure? When is the wedding? Should I start looking for a suit or something?”
“Yes, eventually, but it isn’t until the last weekend of October” I say. “We have plenty of time to plan for that. Meanwhile, whatever gossip trickles into Teddy and Madison’s bubble from the press attention we’ll cultivate for you is fine.”
“But you said things were escalating with your ex, right?” he presses.
“I mean, not really. Not in my daily life, I just…” I pause, chewing the inside of my lip as I debate how much to share. “There was an article,” I say finally. “A profile piece in Crescent City Life. It was very glossy, very public, and very embarrassing.”
An edge creeps into my voice as I add, “Teddy said his previous relationship—meaningme, and everyone who knows we dated on and off for nearly a decade will know exactly who he’s talking about—was ‘style over substance.’ And that he was so glad Madison finally showed him what real love is and blah, blah, blah.”
Nix stops again, turning to face me with a snort. “He said that? Publicly?”
I nod, trying for flippant and failing as I say, “Direct quote. Accompanied by photos of him drooling on Madison in the botanical garden.” My shoulders creep closer to my ears. “And yeah, that’s personally humiliating, but this isn’t just personal. I’m a luxury event and party planner. My brand is built on substance and flawless execution. Being publicly dismissed as inferior by a man from another old NOLA family could impact my professional life, as well.”
“Which is bullshit,” Nix says, his scowl deepening.
“It is, but it’s the way the world works.”
“More proof the world sucks ass,” he says. “Fuck this guy. He’s a classless, cowardly piece of shit. Not to mention cruel. Who the hell does that to a woman he used to love?Afterhooking up with her assistant? The very least he could have done was keep his mouth shut.”
Warmth spreads through my chest.
He’s right. Itwascruel, and keeping his mouth shutwasthe least Teddy could have done. And yes, my friends have said the same sorts of things, but hearing it from Nix hits differently for some reason.
“Thanks,” I say. “I appreciate that. It’s been a shitty experience. Realizing I worked so hard to support and care for someone who has so little care for me… To lift someone up who was so quick to tear me down… It’s mortifying.” I wheeze out a laugh. “Completely mortifying.”
“You shouldn’t feel mortified,” Nix says in a gentler voice. “It’s like Diotima said—real love elevates. It’s all about support, care and helping the person you love be the best version of themselves.”
