Her dry response eases something inside me. “But you threw up.”
Jordie’s shoulders sag, and she breathes out a sympathetic sigh before climbing onto my lap and burrowing against me, her hand cradling the side of my face. “Oh, you poor thing. You thought I was pregnant and going to pull a Beatrice.”
My head bobs in a nod. “I’m sorry. I freaked out and went to the worst-case scenario.”
She kisses my cheek sweetly. “I’m not pregnant, and I’m not leaving you. Even if I did accidentally get pregnant, there’s no way you’re getting rid of me, Phoenix.” Her eyes latch onto mine. “I’m not her.”
I feel ashamed and try to duck my head, but she won’t let me, holding me firm with a thumb beneath my chin. “I’m so sorry. You’re nothing like her but…”
“But you’ve been burned in the past, and sometimes that can affect your thought processes,” Jordie finishes, so damn wise for her years.
“Yeah.” I crack a smile. “I thought we were in a Laurel and Hardy situation there for a minute.”
Her head tilts. “Laurel and Hardy? Are they obstetricians or something?”
I bark out a laugh and wrap my arms around her, remembering that something upset her enough to make her puke. “Tell me who hurt you.”
I am fucking furious.
By the time she’s done recounting her story, my entire body is brimming with anger, and I want to punch something. Or someone. I’ve never hit a woman, but if Jordie’s goddamn egg donor was in front of me right now, I’m not making any promises. Maybe I’d just hold her down and let Jordie beat the shit out of her.
“Show me the pictures,” I say, rising from the floor with my woman in my arms. “I’ll fix this.”
We retrieve the envelope from her bag and settle on my office couch. I flip through the photos. There’s nothing about them that’s obscene in nature, some kissing and hugging, but they do paint a portrait of a couple. One with an age gap that some might find distasteful. One that might affect Jordie’s contracts.
I set them down and turn to face her on the couch, taking her hands. “We’ve known this was going to come out at some point. I think it’s going to have to be sooner rather than later.”
She nods. “I know, and I’m not ashamed to be with you. I know we’re not doing anything wrong because we love each other, but if they release this to the press, they’re going to put a salacious spin on it. You know they will.”
“I’m aware. I work in marketing, so I know all about spin. The key is that we get our spin out there first and that cuts off their leverage.” A muscle tics in Jordie’s jaw, and I continue, “I know you think thepress has no place in a relationship, but when you’re famous, it’s something you have to deal with. People are interested in what you do, who you date. There’s only so much we can do in this situation.”
“So we have to control the narrative.”
A small smile slides across my face. “That’s what I’m saying. Everyone was going to find out anyway. It was inevitable. Marriage certificates are public records.”
“M-marriage?”
I raise one eyebrow. “You didn’t think I was going to live in sin with you forever, did you?”
Jordie snorts. “I didn’t realize you were such a paragon of virtue, Mr. Hale.”
I tug on her hands, meeting her halfway for a soft kiss. “I’m an angel,” I tease.
“Okay, now you’re pushing it.” She gnaws on her bottom lip. “I’m assuming you have a plan?”
“I do. First of all, we’re going to have to tell our families about us. Soon.”
She nods agreeably. “Okay, I was getting tired of sneaking around anyway. I can drive up to Pine Tree Falls and talk to them.” She seems to be relaxing into the idea.
“I’m going with you.”
Jordie eyes me skeptically. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
“I am doing that,” I say with finality. “Then we’ll have to have a press conference. I’ll do all the talking if you want.”
She lifts her chin. “No, it’s my mess so I’ll handle it.”
“Atta girl. There’s my fierce Jordie-pie.”
