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“I’m not interested.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because I will make a public statement about the affair. Your name will be included. And when you’re asked about it, I want you to confirm.”
He stared blankly. “You’re admitting to this publicly? I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it.”
“You didn’t even want to make a statement when you took over the hotel, for God’s sake.”
“This situation is different.”
I still wouldn’t do it for myself. But I’d swallow my damn pride before they paint Hailey as some homewrecker. I just hoped I hadn’t messed things up too badly already.
“What if I don’t agree?”
“You know better than to cross me. Marion thought she could; now she knows better.”
“What did you do?”
“She had the nasty surprise of every single backer pulling out of the deal this morning. Let’s just say her show isn’t happening.”
Lincoln blinked, shoving one hand in the pocket of his jeans. He ran the other one through his hair, a nervous tic he’s had for as long as I’d known him.
“Her show isn’t happening? Man, that’s a tough blow.”
“Not like she doesn’t deserve it. So, when the press asks for your statement, you’ll say...?”
I looked him straight in the eyes, so he had no doubt that there was just one answer.
“F-f-fine,” he stuttered. “I won’t deny it. It’s not like we’re still together. I was just her fun bit on the side. Made that pretty clear after I was jobless.”
Typical Marion. I wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“Good. See yourself out. I’m done here.”
I didn’t want this to last one second more than was necessary.
“Why didn’t you do this earlier?”
“I don’t like to flaunt dirty laundry in public.”
But for some reason, it was easier to put my pride aside for the people I loved than for myself. I just hoped it was enough.
***
Hailey
“You’re getting off the point. My personal life is not relevant,” I repeated into the phone for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Come on, Hailey. Don’t be like that. Just give me something to write about.”
“I will, if you’re willing to talk about my client.”
“Davenport is
your client.”
