Chapter 29
HANNAH
‘How did you do it?’ Zoe demanded.
Her head still fuzzy after yet another crazy day at the office, Hannah’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. ‘Do what?’
‘Blow McKenzie up on social media for therightreasons this time?’
‘Slight exaggeration,’ she replied airily. ‘He’s only posted once at the weekend – and actually, that was me posting for him.’
‘No, yesterday he posted a video of himself working out. It’s everywhere. He looks HOT.’
Confused, Hannah put the call on speaker and pulled up Ward’s socials. Sure enough, a video clip had been published across all platforms and, in the footage, Ward was holding a plank on his elbows and toes. Hard to tell from the background, but it looked like he was doing a one-on-one session with a trainer.
She watched, impressed, as he expertly held the pose for over a minute, barely breaking a sweat. Workout aside though, the video was an out and out thirst-trap. She couldn’t help but notice the muscles visible on his back under the cloth of his t-shirt. Or the careful sculpting of his biceps.Glutes aren’t bad, either, she noted, gulping a little. It was clear he was in great shape – and of course had spent a lot of time in his life taking care of himself.
But she wasn’t supposed to notice things like that.
Then a voice sounded off-camera – the person shooting the footage and Hannah was startled a little at the realization that his trainer was female. For some reason, guilty of a type of reverse sexism, she had automatically assumed that he was working out with a guy. That someone like Ward would only work out with another ‘bro’.
The off-camera trainer offered words of encouragement, and Hannah strained her ears, trying to listen closer to the voice, which was smooth, sultry and very definitely in control. Automatically she painted a mental picture of the woman she couldn’t see. Sexy, assured and in great shape – probably with six-pack abs too – and she didn’t know why this unsettled her. But before she could ponder it further, Zoe brought her squarely back to the present.
‘Hannah? You still there?’
Clearing her throat, she refocused.
‘Yes, sorry. Was just watching …’
‘I know, right? Proper thirst-trap. I’m actually shocked you didn’t have something to do with it.’ Which made Hannah jump to the thought that Ward’s trainer may well have been the brains behind the video. Fitspo influencer-type. ‘You know,’ Zoe continued, ‘ifthat’sthe kind of messaging you’re going for – and let me tell you that I and the nation’s female population wholeheartedly agree – there’s a whole world of opportunities for you to run with.’
Hannah felt her attention redirect as her mind also churned with new possibilities. ‘Well, technically he’s still in recovery so it’s not like he can offer training clinics if that’s what you’re thinking …’ she mused.
‘How about a couple of live Q and As? He could answer fans’ questions about his fitness in real time. Talk about his approach andthe challenges and setbacks he’s faced as he recovers from injury, how not to overdo it and stuff. Would really get people behind his journey back to fitness. You know how much the publiclovesrecovery stories.’
Excitement surged through Hannah too at the various possibilities. Yes, this truly was something she could run with. And she couldn’t deny that this considerably less toxic display of Ward’s masculinity was appealing. In more ways than one.
‘I think it’s certainly something he could get behind anyway,’ she mumbled, deep in thought. ‘Making himself more accessible to the public has been the crux of his reticence, but this is good since it doesn’t involve anything personal per se. He’s already said he wants to be known purely as an athlete and that it’s all about the game, about competing … well, this is right in line with that.’
Eager to chat through the finer details of such a strategy with him and also wanting to ensure that she could stay on top of the messaging, Hannah said goodbye to Zoe, promising to reconnect soon.
She then called Ward, wanting to congratulate him on his unexpected initiative, and while she was at it, take the opportunity to suggest another PR angle she’d planned to help boost a podcast she’d booked for him to record tomorrow.
But the call went directly to voicemail and her thoughts drifted again. Why was his phone off? The sexy voice of his female trainer popped to the forefront of her brain, as did something he’d said the other day at John Doe’s.
My personal life is off-limits.
‘Get it together,’ she admonished herself. ‘It’s none of your business what the guy does with his trainer or anyone for that matter. In fact, why do you even care?’
The question stopped her in her tracks and she shook her head as if trying to dislodge the intrusive thought. Plus the image of Ward’s taut bare muscles moving in rhythm …
Stop it,Hannah shook her head. She’d go ahead and check back in with him later.
Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission,was one of Zoe’s favourite mantras and since the first element of her strategy seemed to be working OK, she could safely assume he’d be on board with the next part too. He was trusting her now, which was a great sign.
Hannah then made a call to a features editor at the online site Sports Starz wanting to know if he’d be interested in a personal piece.
‘You bet,’ Tom Whitmore enthused. ‘WildCat McKenzie’s one of those guaranteed click jockeys – put that bad boy’s name in the headline and your eyeball rate’s always going to go through the roof.’
