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“Rake has a bright future ahead of himself. You are going to ruin it.”
What the fuck?
The smile slides from my face, and so does all the goodwill I greeted this man with. I am the picture of politeness.
Until I am not.
“Mr. Hanson, Rake and I are married. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Look. If you have any respect at all for Rake, or yourself, you will get out of his way and leave him alone. He has priorities. Lots of responsibilities and commitments. You are a distraction at best.”
Shit. What I am at worst then.
“I don’t think you understand, Mr. Hanson, that I do not have the ability to ruin anyone’s career. I don’t have that much power, but I appreciate your saying I do. It’s flattering. In addition, your accusation implies that Rake isn’t talented enough to remain on the success trajectory he’s on. Like all it takes is a relationship with a woman to pull him off it? What does that say about Rake?”
Anger fills his eyes and he scowls at me. “Fine then. Fine. Ruin his life if you want. Selfish women like you never care, do you?”
I straighten to my full height and raise my chin. Dude just went too far, I don’t care whose father he is.
“I think you need to leave,” I say, speaking slowly before I hurl a string of expletives at the man. “I will be discussing this with Rake, and you can expect to hear from him. Thanks for coming by, but our meeting is over now.”
I march over to the front door and after glaring at me for a second, he storms out.
I rush to the back office where I have some privacy but can still watch the store. Is everybody out for me or what?
What did I ever do that was so wrong?
50
PETAL
In a kind of sick way,I am looking forward to my in-person interview with Charlotte the perky reporter. I feel like my babbling during our Zoom call gave her an inkling of what’s she’s up against, should she try and push me.
“Hello, I’m Petal Parker,” I say, feeling cute and perky in my Betsey Johnson dress.
Charlotte greets me in the small office where I’ve been told to wait. In her white slacks, a white silk blouse, and tall white pumps, looks like a fashion model. “Petal, thank you so much for coming today. This is going to be fun.”
It sure is, if I have anything to say about it.
I follow her to the studio stage and sits me down on a chair across from hers. Someone wearing a headset comes and hooks me up with a mic. Charlotte settles in and flips through some large index cards, then looks at someone and nods.
Guess we’re starting.
“You’re on,” someone says quietly.
Wow. That’s how it works.
“Petal, I’m so happy to have you here with us today.”
I glance at one of the cameras. Not sure I’m supposed to do that but they do in late-night TV, so what the hell. “Thanks for inviting me, Charlotte.”
I’m tempted to call her ‘Char’, but that would be taking it too far.
“You’re so welcome, Petal. Congratulations on your marriage to Rake Hanson. You two look very happy together.”
I smile, nodding. “He’s a good guy and loves playing for his team. And they love him too.”
Charlotte snickers, and that’s my first hint that something is not right. What have I walked into? If this goes south, Rake’s agent will have hell to pay.
