by Jen Talty
“Someone who lives in your building, but that’s not the problem. They didn’t know they had anything of value until someone started banging on doors asking for dirt on you.”
“What? How do you know that?”
“Rusty found out that one of the investigators they use to vet stories has been working on the side for Cindy and—” He snapped his head up, holding her gaze. “You’re not going to fucking believe who Cindy’s been working with.”
“What do you mean? Working with?”
“I mean. Cindy and Heather have hired someone to dig up dirt on both of us and have been doing it for a month, and Rusty said Cindy’s got something up her sleeve for tomorrow’s show, but he doesn’t know quite what it is. Only that it won’t make you look good.”
“How can he not know what it is?” She rubbed her temple.
“They have a follow-up piece about your life and your mom being an ex-model. I think they are running a couple of her old interviews before she married your father, but Rusty is preparing himself for battle and asked if we knew anything that she might dig up that might be bad.”
“Fuck,” she mumbled. “I don’t know. I did some vindictive things the first month after John and I broke up.”
“Yes. The carpet incident and I recall some tire slashing?”
She shook her head. “I’m not proud of those moments.”
He patted her shoulder. “Well, you didn’t go boiling pet rabbits, so that’s something. We just have to be prepared that Cindy and Heather are going to do whatever they can to make us look bad and that reminds me. About three months ago, I did go over to Heather’s. She called me saying she was going to kill herself.”
“I know. Those pictures already surfaced. That’s why the story about you being the father is still sticking and why we had more than one lab do the paternity test. I don’t trust Heather as far as I can spit,” Kennedy said, letting out a long breath. “I’m sure Cindy will bring that up, but what both of those women fail to understand is that when it’s proven you’re not the father, they will lose all credibility.” She raised her glass but paused before it hit her lips. “You didn’t sleep with Heather that night, did you?”
“God, no. I might pick crazy women, but I never do the same crazy twice. I just wanted to make sure she wasn’t really going to swallow a bottle of pills, and it was only a ploy to get me back, which it was and it didn’t work.”
“Who do you think the father is?” Kennedy asked.
“I have no idea. Could be the pool guy, the UPS driver, or even her current agent. Your guess is as good as mine.” He snagged another glass and a bottle. “Let’s take this to the patio off the master and enjoy the ocean. It’s a beautiful night.”
“I’m down with that.”
Stepping outside, she closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh salty sea air, letting it fill her lungs. She let out it slowly as she opened her eyes. “If I lived here, I’d want to start every day with a cup of coffee right here and end it just like this.” She clanked her glass against his.
He sat on a large chaise lounge chair and patted the cushion. “Join me.”
She settled in next to him, crossing her ankles and leaning against the big, soft pillows. The lights from the pool flickered in the water. The roar of the ocean filled her ears like sweet sounds of a saxophone playing in a smoky bar. “I think tonight went well,” she said.
“My parents enjoyed themselves. I hope I didn’t come on too strong with yours.”
“They think we make for a cute couple.”
“I have to agree.” He took her wine and set it on the ground. “We never got to finish our conversation from earlier.”
She bit down on the inside of her mouth. “Look. The sex was spectacular. No doubt. But we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to end this. We can’t keep doing this to our parents. Once that paternity test comes back and the Heather story dies down, we can begin slowly detaching from each other.”
“I don’t want to detach from you. I want to take you to dinner. Spend a romantic weekend on a cruise.” He ran his fingers up and down her arm, giving her goosebumps. “While I put on a bit of show tonight, I meant what I said to our folks. I care about you, and I think you care about me too.”
“Caring is a loose term,” she said, slipping down in the chair so she was lying flat on her back and staring at the stars and the moon shining bright in the night sky. “You cared about me a year ago. We have a work relationship. Nothing has changed.”
“A lot has changed.” He shifted, sprawling himself out next to her with his hand flattened on her stomach.
A tinge of fear prickled her skin and not because he scared her, but because of how he made her want to say yes to giving them a real shot. She didn’t want to admit, even to herself, that the evening had been so pleasant that she almost believed the lie herself. It was scary how much chemistry she and Hawk naturally had and how both sets of parents didn’t question any of it.
“ Want to hear a confession?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“The night I carried you home, I sat on the edge your bed and watched you sleep for a good twenty minutes.”
“Now you sound like a creeper.”
He laughed. “I kind of felt like one too. But I sat there and thought to myself what a fool John was. Not that Tallulah isn’t a nice girl, because she is, but because you’re something special, and he tossed it away like it was nothing.”
“You’re sweet to say that.”
“I wanted to fire them both, but I couldn’t. I even looked for mistakes for the first month. However, once you got over being bitter, watching the way you were the bigger, better person, I realized just how amazing you were, and when I told my parents we were dating, it was because I had been wanting to ask you out for months.”
“Right.” She rolled her head. Her blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “You can come up with a better line or story to get me to sleep with you again.”
He leaned in and kissed her nose. “It’s the truth. Besides, you’re a little drunk, and I don’t take advantage of women who’ve been drinking.”
She laughed. “You’re the one who got me in this condition.”
“Guilty as charged,” He slid his arm under her and pulled her head to his chest. “We’ll need to get up early and watch The Morning Dose, and then I think we need to make a public appearance of some kind this weekend.”
“Yeah, like what?” She wrapped her arm around his middle and stuck her leg between his. Taking in a deep breath, she let it out in a long puff, allowing herself to relax into his strong frame.
“I wasn’t going to go, but I still have the invite to Nolan’s premiere. I hear it’s a fantastic movie.”
She stiffened. “That’s a red-carpet event.”
“It sure is, and it’s the perfect place for us to make a splash and show the world our cuteness.”
5
“I can’t believe I’m walking into this store.” Kennedy pulled back the glass door to one of the most expensive and posh upscale designer dress stores in all of Los Angeles. This was not the kind of store you could walk in from the streets and pick out a one-of-a-kind gown. You needed an appointment if you wanted to see those dresses; otherwise, forget looking at anything other than the sale rack, which was highly frowned upon.
Only, that’s exactly where she’d be looking.
“I’m just glad you decided to let us peons come with you,” Ethel said.
“No shit.” Jackie did a three-sixty as she entered the lobby. “But if you marry this guy, I vote that you buy us dresses as gifts each birthday from this store.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Kennedy shook her head.
“May I help you?” A saleswoman stepped into the main room.
“Yes. I’m Kennedy Monroe. I have an appointment.”
“Oh yes. That’s right. My name is Suzie, and I’ll be helping you today. Can I get you and your assistants something to drink?”
Kenne
dy covered her mouth to keep from giggling.
“Maybe some champagne?” Suzie asked.
“Perfect. My sisters and I would love that.” Kennedy decided she couldn’t allow her sisters to be treated as assistants, and hopefully there were no rules about having guests come with her.
“Wonderful. Feel free to look around and pull anything you see off the rack, but I’ve already started to hang some special designs in our dressing salon. Whenever you’re ready, just head into that room right there.” Suzie pointed to the room she just came out of. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thank you so much,” Ethel said, taking the three glasses and passing them around.
“There is a bottle in the dressing room.” Suzie turned on her heels and went about her business.
Kennedy started looking at price tags and nearly gagged, even at the sale prices. As she pulled a couple of dresses off the rack, she told herself that she was doing this because she didn’t have the kind of outfits that would do justice to being on Hawk’s arm when walking down the red carpet. That she cared about him and this was important to him, so she’d suffer through being in the spotlight.
“You have to try on this one.” Ethel shoved a blue dress in her face.
“Oh, and this red one is gorgeous,” Jackie said.
For the next twenty minutes, she searched the store for dresses that made a simple statement. Ones that wouldn’t draw too much attention to her yet complimented her figure. She needed to look the part, without looking the part.
If that made any sense at all.
She brought in fifteen dresses to try on along with ten designer dresses that Suzie had brought in for her. Thus far, she’d tried on everything but a couple.
“This feels all so Pretty Woman ish.” Kennedy stood in front of the mirror in a little red dress that cost more than what she would have budgeted for a wedding dress.
“Only you’re not a whore,” Jackie said, sipping a tall glass of champagne. “He’s actually your boyfriend.”
Oh, if her sisters only knew the truth.
“I’ll prostitute myself for that dress.” Ethel raised her glass. “Too bad Hawk doesn’t have any sexy brothers because I’d be all over that shit.”
“Have you ever dated someone because you actually like them? Or has it always been about the money?” Kennedy slipped the dress off and stepped into the pearl ankle length one that cost twice as much as her monthly rent.
“If I don’t like them, then I don’t stay with them, but money is so sexy,” Ethel said. “And that’s what starts the attraction.”
“I just want a man who is loyal and has rock-hard abs.” Jackie helped Kennedy zip the dress up. “Oh yeah. This is the one.”
Kennedy stared at herself in the mirror. The dress clung to her skin like the perfect driving glove. The color made her skin look as though it had been kissed by the sun. “I can’t spend this much money on a dress.”
“Why not? Your boyfriend is Mr. Money Bags,” Ethel said. “And he told you to spare no expense.”
“That doesn’t mean I should be reckless with his money.” She stepped from the dress and put it back on the rack with the dresses she’d already decided against and went back to the ones that were more reasonably priced. She knew stepping out with Hawk on an event like this would put her on the hot seat. She would be on display for the entertainment reporters to judge, ridicule, and ask her the kinds of questions that could embarrass not only Hawk, but his family, or hers.
So far, they had dodged a few bullets, thanks to Rusty and the fact that Cindy and Heather had been unable to find anything that put Kennedy in a bad light, no matter how hard they tried to twist everything.
Kennedy picked five dresses that cost less than the one pearl dress. She could return a couple if she didn’t need them, but Hawk had lined up a few other events for her to attend, and she figured she might as well do this all now.
“Miss Monroe?” Suzie ducked her head into the massive dressing room. “Mr. Jefferson is here.”
Kennedy adjusted her shirt, tucking it into her jeans. She handed Suzie the five dresses. “I’m going to take these five.”
“You’re not going to get the Hans Rio dress? It’s perfect for the event, and it’s a one-of-a-kind. No one else will be wearing it,” the salesperson said, reaching for the dress. “It’s perfect for your coloring.”
“See, even she thinks you should get it,” Jackie said.
“Maybe you should put it back on and let Mr. Jefferson decide,” Suzie said. “He’s the one who suggested I pull some from the private collection.”
“And he did so for me to look at and decide what I wanted to wear, and I’m satisfied with what I picked out. Now, I’m going to go see my boyfriend while you ring those up. Thank you.” Kennedy smiled at her two sisters as she waltzed by.
Ethel gave her a wink, and Jackie gave her a hidden thumbs-up.
Kennedy had to admit, that felt damn good. “Hey, babe.” She wrapped her arms around Hawk and planted a wet kiss on his lips.
God, she loved kissing him, and she did it every chance she got when she knew someone might be watching.
And a couple of times in private.
Of course, they’d had sex a few more times, but she knew in her heart of hearts that no matter how much he thought he wanted to make a go of a real relationship, in a couple of months he’d get bored and his wandering eye would get the better of him.
So, she needed to keep herself protected and stick with the plan.
Four weeks and then they’d slowly stop going out in public, and eventually, he’d start dating someone else, in public. They’d ask him about her, and he’d say he was sorry it didn’t work out, and that would be the end of it.
Nice and clean.
No mess.
No drama.
“Mmmmmmm. I like being greeted like that.” He patted her bottom. “Did we find anything?”
“I picked out five dresses, thank you very much.”
“Cool.” He tossed a credit card on the counter. “Hello, ladies.”
Her sisters smiled and waved.
“Hello, handsome,” Ethel said. “Your girlfriend is too good at putting snobby people in her place.”
“Shhhhh. We don’t need anyone hearing you.” Kennedy narrowed her eyes.
“Well, now I need to know what happened,” Hawk said.
Ethel glanced around the room before leaning in. “The saleswoman wanted her to buy a specific dress, but Kennedy had other ideas. Then the salesperson made the unfortunate mistake of telling her that maybe you should make the decision for her on whether or not the dress would be a good purchase.”
Hawk laughed. “First thing I learned about your sister even before we started going out was never, ever tell her what to do. She’s as stubborn as a mule.”
“Yeah, but that damn dress did look flipping fantastic on her,” Jackie added. “Made her look like a movie star.”
“Well, in that case, burn the damn thing.” Hawk laughed. “Because I prefer you looking like you because you’re the most gorgeous woman in any room regardless of what you’re wearing.”
“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve said to me.” She raised up on her tiptoes and gave him the kind of kiss that her parents would tell her should only be done in private.
“Get a room,” Jackie said.
“We’re going to head home,” Ethel said. “Don’t forget next weekend. Big backyard party for your birthday.”
“We’ll be there will bells on,” Hawk said as he signed the slip. “Let’s get out of here. I want to show you something.” He took the bag with the dresses and headed toward the front of the store.
She followed him to his sports car and slipped into the passenger seat. “Where are we going?”
“Look in the back seat.”
Before she glanced over her shoulder, something yipped.
“Oh, my God. You didn’t.” She twisted in her seat and stared at a puppy sitting in a box,
wagging his tail like a madman. “Please tell me this is your dog because I’m not allowed to have pets at my place.”
“I know. But maybe he can be our dog? I mean he’s three months and already housebroke. The family that had him before, well, it turns out they weren’t dog people after all. I couldn’t just let him sit in the pound, now could I?”
“I want to know what the hell you were doing at the pound in the first place.” She glared at him. “Don’t answer that. You’ve got to stop with this idea we’re going to be some power couple because it’s not going to last.”
“You don’t know that, and you promised me that if at the end of the four weeks things are still going well and we’re still into each other, you’d reconsider changing the breakup.”
“You’re impossible, you know that, right?” She reached into the box and lifted the excited animal. He licked her face as if she were an ice cream cone. “What are you going to name him?”
“Marvin.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me? That’s the name of the youngest Bush.”
“I know. I called your dad and asked if the name had been taken,” Hawk said with a smile so big it made him look like a teenage boy in a video game store.
“You’re making it difficult for me to want to break up with you.”
He leaned across the sports vehicle and kissed her cheek. “That’s the point.”
6
“Hawk! Get in here.” Kennedy paced in front of the bed. The premiere had gone off without incident. She felt as though she’d handled all the tough questions with style and grace and even Hawk said no one could say anything bad about her, him, or the situation.
But someone managed to make her out to be one class A bitch.
“What’s the matter?” Hawk asked as he stepped into the master.
Marvin raced around her legs before jumping on the bed and plopping down on the pillow.
She snagged her iPad. “My sister texted me and told me about this.” She pulled up the entertainment rag that had published the video blog about the premiere. Specifically, about how Kennedy insulted a famous designer, and how she and her sisters were rude to the staff at the highly acclaimed store. “Suzie, the saleswoman I worked with, said you handpicked the dresses, and I went against your wishes, and we had a fight in the store over it.”