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"For the sake of the show, you and Kate will no longer be working together."
"You can't fire her!" I nearly shouted, my urge to protect Kate despite my doubts surprising me.
Alexis closed her eyes briefly. "I'm not firing her."
"Then what are you talking about?" I asked. I couldn't help but notice how quiet Kate was, sitting beside me but feeling worlds away. Was she quitting, giving up on her dreams because my fame and fortune had raked her name through the mud?
"Kate will be assisting me with other things now. I know none of those stories are true, Kate confirmed it, but I can't have you two spotted together anymore."
So Kate hadn't told Alexis about our kiss last night.
That was probably a good thing considering everything.
Alexis continued, "Normally, I wouldn't be worried about these kinds of stories since they're actually great for ratings. But since you're no longer with Gwen, this won't help us out at all. Everyone will feel cheated when we get to the finale and you aren't with Gwen."
I leaned back in my chair. Kate would still be working there.
"I also need to make the request that you two no longer see each other outside of work either." She looked more sternly at me. "I know you'refriends, but until this all blows away and the season finale has aired, I can't take any more chances."
"We didn't do anything wrong," I insisted. I hadn't broken any laws by having feelings for Kate. Heck, I hadn't even kissed her until things were over with Gwen.
"When you're the Bachelor, everything besides a happily ever after is considered a criminal offense. Welcome to showbiz."
Frustration bubbled inside me, so thick and hot I thought I might explode. This situation was ridiculous! Why couldn't things just go my way for once? Was this another punishment for what happened the night Aiden died? Was I truly cursed to forever be on the outside of everything I'd ever wanted?
Bad things always seemed to happen when I finally thought I'd gotten Kate. Were we doomed to live like this forever?
"Are you going to have trouble following through with my request?" Alexis cocked an eyebrow.
Kate set her hands on the armrest of her chair, as if readying to stand. "No. It's fine. I'll just do my new job, and I promise not to interfere with Drew and your finale anymore."
I covered her hand with mine. Her skin was soft and warm. "None of this is your fault. You know that, right?" I dipped my gaze down to hers; her eyes were wide and sad.
"That isn't what matters right now." She glanced down at my hand on hers. I squeezed it, and she gave me a tired smile. "Part of my job is to make you look good. I won't mess it up this time."
She stood and glanced back at Alexis. "If that's all, I'll get back to work now."
"Yes, thank you, Kate. I'll let Oliver know about the switch."
I got up to leave as well, figuring I was done.
"Actually, I still need to discuss a few things with you, Drew. It’ll just be a few more minutes."
I released a long breath as I sunk back in my chair. "What else do you want?" What else would she say to ruin my day?
Alexis waited for Kate to shut the door. She said, "As you’re aware, we weren't able to get any footage of Gwen and Dion as we'd hoped. So, in light of everything that has happened, you’re going to have to continue with the charade of dating Gwen." She clasped her hands together. "How did it go with her anyway? Did she seem happy to see you after what happened the weekend before?"
"Didn't you watch the footage? I'm sure you know as well as I did that Gwen wasn't buying any of it. More like playing along to earn her twenty minutes of fame when this is all over, since she knows she won't be getting my money."
"I did notice that."
"So, what do you want me to do?"
Alexis drew in a deep breath before looking me straight in the eyes. "I need you to call Gwen and smooth things over."
My heart plummeted. That was the last thing I wanted to do.
"She's not going to go for it this time."
