Sadie closes her eyes briefly. “Jillie.”
“What? You said they circle.”
“She’s not wrong,” I mutter.
Sadie looks at me then, really looks at me. And I realize she’s trying to decide whether I’m part of the problem.
Honestly?
Fair question.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly before anyone sits down.
Her expression flickers with surprise.
Then exhaustion wins again.
“This is insane.”
“Yes.”
“I had a reporter ask if Jillie likes living between Frostholm and Briar Cove.”
Jillie gasps. “Do I have two houses?”
Maddie mutters, “Honestly, the internet already thinks you do.”
Sadie sinks into the booth opposite me. “I want this over.”
“So do I,” I admit.
Maddie immediately leans forward… predator sensing weakness.
“There may be a way to minimize escalation.”
Sadie narrows her eyes. “That sounds suspiciously like PR language.”
“It is PR language.”
“I knew it.”
Maddie ignores her. “Right now, the media thinks there’s a hidden relationship and potentially a hidden child. That mystery is fueling the frenzy.”
“No interviews,” Sadie says instantly.
“Agreed.”
“No cameras near Jillie.”
“Agreed.”
“No pretending that she’s his daughter.”
“Obviously.”
Sadie folds her arms. “Then what exactly are you suggesting?”
Maddie looks at both of us carefully. “A temporary public relationship.”
