Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“I can’t tell you because I promised my brother,” he whispers. “But I want to because I’m almost at the end. I can’t pay her off much longer.”
I kiss the top of his head. “Then we’ll figure out another way. No matter what, I’m with you.”
I hold him until we both fall asleep.
Chapter Twenty-One
I’m walking back to Reid’s building with coffee and croissants the next morning. Not early morning. We slept in, and Reid is still in bed. I went and checked in with Patrick to ensure we’re not needed for filming this morning. Apparently my crew working on laying tile in the guest bathroom isn’t all that interesting.
When my cell rings, I give serious consideration to not picking up. I only look at the screen because it might be a friend who needs me.
Paul.
I definitely consider not picking up. I consider chucking my phone into the East River. But the truth of the matter is he’ll find a way. “What do you need, Paul?”
“I need some fucking support is what I need,” he grumbles. “I need a CEO who actually gives a damn about her job, but I’m not going to get that, am I?”
I’m so tired of this. Reid has real problems. Jeremiah has real problems. “Buck up, buttercup. The board meeting is coming up. Maybe you’ll get lucky and be named the CEO and then you can deal with all of this. Except that’s what you’re supposed to be doing now, and you call Mommy at least twice a day. By the way, I’m talking about me. I’m Mommy in this case. Be careful what you wish for.”
“You’re such a bitch, and you should be the careful one. When I’m the CEO, I don’t think there’s going to be much of a place for you,” he threatens. “Look, I called because I need to know if you’re about to cause some kind of scandal that’s going to bring down the company.”
“What? The only scandal the company had was improper tax prep and misuse of funds. I assure you that’s not happening on my watch.”
“I’m talking about your sex life.”
A pit opens in my gut. Well, we knew Ivy might not get everything. “My sex life has nothing to do with work.”
“Oh, but it does according to the reporter who called your mother. You’re sleeping with the designer on your vanity project. According to her, he’s a celebrity. I never thought you were that kind of a woman. Do you realize what a shock it was for your mom? She wanted a quote on how your mother felt with you being the other woman,” Paul practically snarls. “Do you realize how much you hurt her? How much of an embarrassment you are to all of us?”
I hang up because I’m incapable of dealing with him right now. I need to talk to Reid before this hits the news. I’m not even sure what’s hitting the news and why I’m suddenly the other woman.
I realize I’m out of time when I see the photographers. There are three of them, and they appear to be waiting for something.
Luckily I’m wearing a ball cap and no makeup and a fairly shapeless sweater. I let out a long sigh because I have to get past these guys who seem to be waiting for someone to arrive and then I have to tell my boyfriend that apparently Ivy didn’t get everything. Or Britta decided to go to the press without the tape. It was a long shot. We fell asleep in an excellent place, but knowing the press is here might kick him right back into save-Harper mode.
I think seriously about turning right around and running because if the tape got out, they might recognize me. I should have asked Paul more questions.
But I can’t leave Reid alone, so I continue walking. It’s like they always tell you. Pretend like nothing’s wrong and nothing will be wrong.
“Harper Ross,” one the photographers yells, and suddenly there are cameras everywhere and dudes shouting questions at me and proving that all those people who told me that lied.
“How does it feel to be a homewrecker?” one of them asks with a ghoulish grin.
“I don’t wreck homes. I fix them.” I realize this could be bad for my business. “Please excuse me.”
I try to get around them.
“What do you have to say about allegations that you sent a sex tape of yourself and Reid Dorsey to his fiancée?”
“I did? Dude, I didn’t even know there was a sex tape until yesterday. I assure you I didn’t send it to anyone.”
“That’s not what Britta Olensoff is saying,” Man Number Two explains. “According to a report out on Celebrity Today’s website this morning, she received the tape along with some taunting words from you. Something along the lines of you have him now.”