The next day I went with Tate and Cara to his parent’s house to talk to the PR guy. We made it in time for an early brunch. The three of us, his mother, and the PR guy, Cole sat outside on the deck, overlooking the water while we ate fruit and sipped on lemonade. I loved visiting here, despite the circumstances.
Cole showed us the article and it was rather unsavory. The author not only outed his real name but spent the rest of the article talking about how Tate spent a lot of time around women and was clearly a dangerous man. They included his mugshot with the article. That was the nail in the coffin. Even I had to admit, Tate, staring at the camera with intense, manic eyes, blood all over his face, and a snarl on his lips was enough to make me shudder. Definitely not someone I’d swoon after and want to meet in person.
“This isn’t the only person with an article. People are already connecting the dots and if we can get ahead on this before it turns into something it’s not, we can stop your career from getting destroyed. I was talking to your mother and she told me your situation,” the man with the sleek gray suit and rather unimpressionable features paused to look at me, and then Cara resting in my arms. I sat up straighter and held onto her a little firmer. He smiled tightly and continued. “I think we should do our own article telling the world about you and your family. Make you look like the man who would defend them from the world, and you the woman who stands by his side no matter what, and the baby who is going to grow up knowing nothing but love.”
“How do I do that without exposing my real name?”
“We don’t. We just won’t discuss it. Most people aren’t concerned with stage names versus real names. Everyone has a fake name they use for things these days,” he waved off Tate’s concerns. “Our big thing is making you seem like a protecter rather than a monster. You didn’t hurt that guy just because you can’t control yourself, you did it because he threatened your family.”
“That is what happened. I didn’t just beat up a stranger,” Tate pointed out. Cole nodded, but it was clear that none of the details really mattered to him.
“Yeah, of course. We’ll make that clear. When we run the article, we want to have some pictures to counteract the mugshot. Do you have any of the three of you?”
Tate and I looked at each other. We didn’t.
“What about wedding photos?” We shook our heads again. Quiet fell over the table before Gabby, Tate’s mom perked up.
“Well looks like we might be having a wedding.”
I blinked. What?
“Mom, we’re not having a fake ceremony just for some pictures. Fuck it, let them post my name and my picture all over everything. I’m not going to be shamed for what I did. I’d do it again. Honestly, thinking about that stupid fuck makes me want to go kick his ass right now.” Tate started to raise his voice and I noticed he was clenching his fist under the table when I reached for his hand.
“Okay, okay, let’s settle down, relax a bit,” Cole said, raising his hands up. “No wedding, nothing big. Maybe just some candid shots of the three of you guys. I was looking at your social media and there’s only pictures of you and the baby. Can we get some fresh ones?”
Tate sighed deeply, slouching in his chair.
“Nothing we take now is going to be candid,” Tate pointed out.
“What about a mini shoot with just Mom and baby?” he suggested. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Me? He saw my face and nodded eagerly. “Yes, I think that would work much better. Especially since she’s not her...” he trailed off when he saw me wince. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. We want people to see that she is your daughter through and through. You are happy to be here, and she’s lucky to have you.”
Tate reached for my hand under the table and squeezed. I looked over at him. He smiled softly and nodded.
“We have discussed adoption. I think this is a great place to start. Babe, what do you think? You want to get dressed up and do something fun, just the two of you?”
I was hesitant, but finally swallowed the lump in my throat.
“I guess. When?”
“We can get something set up today!” Gabby said excitedly. We turned to her. She was back to being her normal, bubbly self. “I’ve been making a studio upstairs. I’ll call my photographer, she’s fantastic.”
“Great! I’ll start working on an article to accompany the pictures, and you guys focus on getting some cute outfits and hair and make up and all that fun stuff. I’ll be back in the afternoon with my assistant to help with anything we’ll need. She’s great with making sure we get the right shots.”
We all stood and shook hands before he exited the deck, Gabby following him, her heels clicking furiously across the hardwood floor. Tate turned to me and we stared at each other for a moment before his face brightened into a giant smile. It was instantly contagious. My mood lifted along with his.
“You two are going to get all dolled up and do a photo shoot, huh? I love it. Maybe I can sneak in there for a few pictures.” He took Cara from my lap, giving me a break. My arms thanked him. He leaned forward and gave me a soft, quick kiss. “I can’t wait. You guys are going to look gorgeous together.”
“Yes, you are. I already text my friend, Molly. She’s going to push some things back for us. She’ll be here at three. That’s plenty of time to get you guys matching outfits and get your hair and makeup done.” Gabby had returned from seeing Cole out. She was looking at her phone, typing away.
“Matching outfits?” I laughed.
“Of course!” Her laughter was just as beautiful as she was. It helped relax me. “Every mommy and me shoot has to have at least one matching outfit set. We’ll do other ones, too. Don’t worry. Let me go see what we have for her.” She looked up and waved her arm for me to come with her. “Come upstairs and we can see if you have anything at home to match.”
I glanced back at Tate, bouncing Cara on his hip. He smiled and urged me to go with her.
“I’m going to go put her down for a nap down here. You go on.”
I turned back to Gabby, who was already heading back inside. I scurried fast to catch her. We went upstairs to Cara’s nursery and I was shocked at what I found.
