White peonies, red roses, purple hydrangeas. Everything is beautifully manicured as the string lights hang above, lifting the ambiance. His hand cups mine as if we have done this many times before.
“As you wish, m’lady.”
All I see is a flicker of a grin spread across his face as we walk through the white doors to the open pond at the back of the garden.
Nobody is here.
Funny, since the whole event is called a “garden party” yet nobody seems to enjoy the scenery of this well-landscaped venue.
When our feet meet the stone wall of the pond, I throw my hands up in the air, begging him, “Why are you here?”
Holden looks at me for a long, hard few seconds before letting out an exasperated breath.
“I received this invitation months ago. Plus, Chris told me you took off work to come here.”
“I knew it. If it’s about the document—”
“To date me?” He fills in like I had forgotten.
“Right. Fake-date you. I haven’t even decided if I’m going to sign that yet,” I add.
“You will…”
“Holden, please…”
He gives me a slight smirk as we both watch each other. Waiting for the next play.
A smirk from him probably works on most people. A simple look that takes all his edges and tucks them away because he has charm. Holden Strauss oozes charm.
Before I can even say another word, a glaring light hits our eyes. Rapid yelling and flashes take us all at once.
When the dots in my vision disappear, I catch about six cameras all vying for the best angle. Questions come from behind the lenses.
“Is this your new girlfriend?”
“What’s her name?”
“Is this the girl from the photo the other day?”
My throat feels tight as heavy bile rises through it. Blackburn Press was at the helm of this the whole time.
The commotion sends smoke signals to everyone inside. I can’t even run away because I am trapped by the swarm of men taking our pictures.
Aidan appears out of thin air, narrowing his eyes on me. In a crowd of people, I can see his vein bulging from his forehead. He looks like a red tomato, waiting to burst. With Mr. Carlson and his dad by his side, Aidan displays restraint perfectly.
So, I decide for everyone.
I lean into Holden’s chest, pressing my lips against his, allowing my mouth to do all the work for me. We both sink into each other, letting the noises dim and the faces fade into the background.
Chapter twenty-one
Front-Page News
Holden is driving us away from where the vultures that were just invading our space. I don’t have it in me to ask questions.
“I didn’t know they were going to show up.”
I say nothing.
