AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You don’t get to ask that question—"
"—Because I wasn’t in touch with you for the last few months?"
"I know, I’m the one who told you to stay away, and I was right. So I’m not really sure why I’m upset right now."
She tries to pull away from me, but I don’t let go.
"Is it because of the baby?" I scan her features.
"What?" She stiffens. "What makes you say that?"
"Because I thought we came to some kind of agreement in the cafeteria. I thought you agreed to date me."
She tips up her chin. "You’re the one who said you want to date me. I didn’t agree to anything."
"So are you saying you don’t want to date me?" I peer into her features. "Are you, Zara?"
She tips up her chin. "I’m saying, anything between us is impossible. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am. I can’t throw it all away by getting involved with you. I don’t want to be seen as someone who sleeps her way to the top of her profession."
"I’m not even a client, Zara."
"But your party is. I’ve done work for them in the past. I’ve built my career on being someone who is a problem solver, someone who can defuse the trickiest media situations. I am a fixer. I am the expert media personalities, including pop stars and politicians, go to when they need help. I’m good at what I do."
"I know that."
"And I’m effective."
"What are you trying to say?" I frown.
"That my reputation rests on the fact that, while I’ve helped others with their PR campaigns, I, myself, have always stayed away from any scandal. I’ve kept my reputation intact by steering clear of any kind of involvement, with anyone or any situation. It’s why the media has never found anything on me. It’s why I am respected. It’s why I am able to influence the influencers. It’s why journalists and celebrities alike agree to be steered by me. The position I occupy in the minds of the media is my currency. I can’t fritter it away."
"You’re likening what’s between us to the makings of a scandal?"
She looks between my eyes, then nods.
"But what if it didn’t have to be that way?" I lean in closer to her. "What if we give this—whatever this connection is between us—at least, a chance?"
"It will have to come out at some point. You’re going to be standing for elections. I’ve worked with other members of your party. At some point, people will connect the dots and know what’s happening."
"Why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it?"
She laughs. "Typical. Of course, someone who comes from a wealthy background doesn’t need to plan out. Maybe you can do things on the fly, but I’m not that way. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without having planned every step of my career. And that did not include—"
"Someone like me."
She swallows, then nods. "That’s right. I didn’t plan for someone like you coming along. I can’t afford to have someone like you in my life on a personal level. You’re a distraction I don’t intend to dwell on for too long. We’re too different, you and I, and there’s no common meeting ground for us."
I tighten my hold on her shoulders. "Are you sure about this? Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?"
She looks between my eyes, then nods. "There is one thing you can do."
"Anything."
"Forget you ever met me."
A hot sensation stabs my chest. My stomach muscles clench. It shouldn’t be so difficult to walk away from her. We barely know each other. So why does it feel like I am cutting off a part of myself I didn’t even know belonged to me?
"Zara—"
