“Everyone will see this.”
“Yeah.” I scratch the back of my neck, my stomach sinking between my toes.
She nods in quiet acknowledgment as my shoulders slump forward.God, I hate seeing her disappointed.
“Kennedy, I know I’ve said this a million times, but I truly am sorry,” I say, watching her sit in silence, staring at the table with glossy eyes, her lips curved in a frown I would give anything to erase. The realization of being the one who did this twists in my chest.
Fuck, Jordan. You really screwed this up.
I did what I came to do—I told her the news. It’s time to admit defeat, once again not knowing how to talk to this woman, and go back to my room to fail some more at sleeping.
“I’m gonna go.” I push my chair back. “I’ll give you some time to process?—”
“Wait.” She places her hand on mine. My eyes fixate on where our skin is touching, a warmth I’ve wanted for so long settling in. Forcing my gaze from her hand to her face, she continues, “I may have an idea.”
15
kennedy
Damn Maggie and her ridiculous ideas! If this were the Eras Tour, this is where I would sing, ‘Look What You Made Me Do.’
I can’t believe I’m about to suggest this, but she may be right. Especially now that there is a damn photo of me holding hands with Richy Rich.
I push my shoulders back, taking control of the situation. This is what I’m trained to do—find the alternate path in crisis.
“What if we…pretendwe’re dating?”
His eyes go wide, blinking faster than a red fire warning light in the flight deck.
“What did you say?” he whispers with a very surprised tone to his deep voice.
“We can decide in the morning if you want to think about it. But, what if we did keep dating?—”
“Yes!” he shouts louder than necessary with only two people in the room.
I cock my head. “You’re sure?”
“Yep. I’ll do it. I’ll help you out.” He scoots his chair back up to the table.
“Well, um…” I mindlessly pick at my cuticles. “Like I said, you can think about it first.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it.” He places his chin on his hand like he’s the goddamn Thinker statue.
And now I’m thinking of him naked and wondering if he’s as chiseled as a statue.Fuck.
“Let’s see…I got you into this mess. Seems only fair I help you get out of it. Okay! Done thinking.” He puts both of his hands down on the table in front of him. “My answer is still yes.”
My heart pulses in my throat.He’s agreeing to this.What have I gotten myself into?
“If we do this, it’s just to help keep Chadd off my back and not make me seem like your latest one-night stand.”
His eyes soften. “Kennedy, I would never?—”
I scoff, holding my hand up. “Stop. Everyone says you’re a nice guy, and I’m going to try to give my friends the benefit of the doubt, but I also know you like women. I’m not going to be the joke of the tabloids. I have a profession. One I’ve worked damn hard to achieve at this level. If we’re going to pretend we’re dating, you can’t be out with anyone else.”
He leans back. “Deal. Not a problem.”
I narrow my brows, my cuticles threatening to bleed from their torture this evening.
