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dig up anything more on Kayla. Sure, she had a messy divorce. But Kayla left her ex. If the details ever came out, if somehow there was proof of the hurtful things Mr. Mistake said to her, she would look like a hero. She stood up for herself when it mattered most. She refused to let image, reputation, anything but her own happiness, define her.
Kayla’s a helluva lot braver than I am.
But that’s been true for a long time. I can play the part of the Alpha Male billionaire now. I glance at the ring where I carefully sculpted my body into what everyone wanted to see.
Except Kayla.
She won’t be waiting in my apartment when I get home tonight. And after I sent her away for daring to love me for more than the image I fought for in that damn ring, I doubt she’ll ask me to remove my shirt ever again.
I look at Alexandra one last time. I could fight like hell to shred this woman’s credibility. With my influence and Margaret’s reputation, I would probably win.
But in Kayla’s eyes, I would still be Mr. Misunderstood.
“You’re not just another Mr. Misunderstood? A man who refuses to let anyone in? Who won’t let anyone see the past that shaped his future?”
I can hear the echo of her words in my head. And yeah, I remember my response. I told her I wasn’t that guy because I had her.
If Kayla’s not in my life, I am that guy. I’m just another misfit who’s afraid to let anyone glimpse beneath the shiny surface.
“You can’t hurt, Kayla,” I say. “Say whatever you want about me. Do whatever you need to try to ease your pain. But believe me, the desire for revenge? It won’t fade. You would be better off falling in love.”
“You’re in love with her?” Alexandra challenges. “Or does she share your weird kinks?”
“That’s personal.” I turn and push on the door. “But yes, I’m in love with her and her dogs.”
I take the stairs two at time. Soon I’m running for the main floor with my phone pressed to my ear, calling the one person that can help me pave the way for true success.
“Margaret,” I say when I push through the door into the main lobby. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the receptionists staring at me. I bet Alexandra’s told them a lot about me. But I don’t give a damn right now what they think. I have a plan to win back the woman I love.
“How did it go with Alexandra?” Margaret asks. “Did you agree to a number?”
“I’m not giving her a dime,” I say. “Kayla was right. You too. I should have listened to you both a long time ago. I’m ready to throw it all away now.”
“Gavin, what did she say to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I step onto the street and hail a cab. I’ll call for Samuel later. “Just book shows for tomorrow. All of them. Or just your favorite. Get me on Good Morning with Charlene if you want. I don’t give a damn.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Margaret says. “If you want to do interviews, wait until Monday.”
“I’m not waiting any longer. Tell them I’m ready to tell my story. And text me the time I need to be there.”
“Gavin, where are you going?” she demands.
“To the pound.”
“The what?”
“The place where you adopt dogs,” I say.
“The ASPCA is closing soon,” Margaret says in a tone that suggests I’m trying her patience. “If you plan to reveal your history on television tomorrow, we should meet and talk about how you present your story. This is going to come as a shock to many of the people you work with, and your investors. We also need to contact your modeling agency, and I would suggest alerting the board at your company—”
“I’ll draft an email tonight,” I cut her off as I settle into the back seat of a yellow cab. “I trust you to handle the rest. Right now, I need to adopt a dog.”
CHAPTER 25
KAYLA
Bright colors blanket the Hudson Valley’s rolling hills. I look out over the sea of reds, oranges, and yellows. The dogs and I are the only ones at the summit of our favorite hike today. The tourists rarely venture onto this trail and never this early in the morning, even on a Saturday. Most hikers prefer a river view and the midday warmth. But my dogs would rather run off leash on an empty trail, and they’ve been up since sunrise.
