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“Fuck,” I growl, completely forgetting that I’m a presenter this year.
“Can you tell Philip—”
“One hundred percent no, I will not tell Philip you’re not going!” Bridget interrupts, reading my mind completely on what I was going to ask her to do. “You know this is a big deal for you to show up, do pre-interviews for your upcoming movie and present.”
She’s right. It will look bad if I back out, not to mention Philip and the studio would be livid. One week away from my girls doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s going to be torture, especially with the uphill battle I have to fight to gain Jenna’s trust.
“Fine,” I sigh in resolve. “What time are our planes?”
“Both depart at 8:00 p.m. at the same private hub where you landed before. I already sent Marco your information.”
“Thanks, Bridget.”
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going. I’m at Jenna’s right now and we’re about to leave for the lawyer’s office.”
“Does Avery know yet?” Bridget asks with hope in her voice.
“No, and we haven’t talked about when we will tell her. For now, she thinks I’m a family friend.”
“Bummer.”
“It’s only been twenty-four hours, Bridget. These things take time.” I chuckle at her impatience because I feel the exact same way, but I know it’s for the best to tell Avery when the time is right. “Listen, I need to go,” I tell her as I spot Jenna through the windows of the French doors. “I’ll call you later.”
I end the call and exit Jenna’s office. I stop short at the sight of her and inwardly groan. She has that whole hot, professional looking vibe going on dressed in a white silk blouse, gray pencil skirt that is molded to those sexy hips of hers, and black heels. My mind conjures up all the dirty little things I could do to her while she’s dressed like that. My dick stirs and I can already tell it’s going to take every ounce of strength to keep my hands to myself.
“Mommy, you look pretty!” Avery tells her and I couldn’t agree more. Feeling my intense stare on her, Jenna glances at me and a blush creeps back up those cheeks. She quickly looks away and clears her throat.
I still affect her like she does me,I think and smile.
“Thank you, honey. Now Avery, I need you to make good decisions and listen to Robert and Rose while Mommy is gone, okay?”
“Yes, Mommy, I will be so very good that you will want to buy me a present for my good behavior.”
Jenna grins at Avery and bends down to give her a hug and a kiss. “Maybe I will. We’ll see.”
“Jenna, I rearranged your schedule today so you don’t have anything planned until 5:00 p.m.,” Robert mentions when he hands her sunglasses and hugs her goodbye.
“Why would I have something planned at 5:00 p.m.?” She questions with a confused look on her face.
“Hair and make-up for the Blackhawks’ charity gala.”
The Blackhawks are the local hockey team, which means Jenna will be with her boyfriend tonight. My smile falters and I’m completely irritated that I won’t be around to keep her from seeing him.
“Oh crap! I forgot,” she says with a guilty look on her face.
“It’s okay, Jenna. I’ve got you covered. Go focus on your meeting,” he tells her.
“I have a car waiting for us if you’re ready to go?” I interrupt their conversation, wanting her to forget the subject of Jax Morrow and focus on the task at hand.
We say our goodbyes and head to the elevator in silence. Once it arrives and we enter it, I notice she stands as far away from me as she possibly can. I smile as I push the lobby button and wonder if she remembers the last time we were alone in an elevator together. I know I can’t dwell on those memories, otherwise I’ll be hard as a rock and standing at attention, so instead I tell her about the circus act that is currently waiting for us outside.
“Just to warn you, there are a lot of paparazzi downstairs. As soon as the elevator doors open, put your sunglasses on. Follow my lead to the car and don’t say anything to them. Understand?”
“Can’t wait!” she replies sarcastically and reaches in her purse to grab her sunglasses.
I abhor this aspect of fame and feel guilty for bringing this into her life, but unfortunately, it comes with the territory. I try my hardest not to bring attention to myself outside of my career, but this “scandal” was the perfect excuse for paparazzi all over the world to descend upon Chicago. Some of these guys will make millions of dollars off the perfect photo of us. I don’t quite understand the insatiable need for celebrity gossip but it’s a billion-dollar industry.
