I feel the shift in the air before I see him.
Jett appears at my side, one arm sliding around my waist possessively.
“Hey, baby.”
I grin, stifling a laugh. “Jett, this is Collin, my lawyer.”
He chokes a cough, extending a hand. “Shit, man. Nice to meet you.”
The two shake hands and exchange pleasantries, but I’m focused on the news Collin said he had, which he wanted to tell me in person.
“I know you’re busy, but do you think we can talk”—Collin glances around the crowded area—“privately?”
I nod, leading both men toward a side hallway where a small office is situated. The door closes with a snick as Collin pulls out his phone.
“The network agreed with the settlement price you set.”
My eyes widen as a whoosh of air escapes me. “What’s the catch?”
“You sign an NDA.”
Jett grips my shoulder as I shake my head. “I refuse to silence my story.”
A knowing smile tugs at his mouth. “I told them that.”
I quirk my eyebrow, since he’s obviously dragging this out. “Out with it, Collin.”
He huffs a laugh. “They agreed with your second price. You’re free, Wren. The show, the brokerage, all of it. You can walk away clean.”
Relief crashes through me as I slump forward. Jett’s there to keep me standing. “I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it, Wren.” Collin taps away on his phone as a whoosh sounds. “Emailed you everything. Sign it when you get a chance, but everything’s how we wanted it.”
I slip out of Jett’s hold and wrap my arms around Collin’s waist. “Thank you for everything.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get it done sooner.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s over.” But something doesn’t feel right. “Why now?”
“Turns out, one of the filming crew members had brought the issue to production, saying he felt like something washappening between you and Elias. Production brushed it off, and when he got footage and took it to the network, they tried to bury it. When the guy heard about your case, he brought me the footage, and I used it against them”
“They knew,” I whisper, voice shaking.
Collin nods. “I’m sorry, Wren.”
“You did everything you could to get me out of it.”
“I promised you I would.” The corners of his mouth tug in a soft smile.
Jett gently pulls me away from Collin, hugging me in celebration. “Stay,” he tells Collin. “Grab a drink and enjoy the fashion show.”
“You never know, you might find love in Silo Bay.”
Collin snorts. “The Midwest isn’t for me.”
I shrug. “You never know.”
The three of us leave the office and move to the main room.
