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“Cut the crap, Hans.”
“You first, Brett.”
“Guys,” Tierra hisses, placing a hand on Brett’s shoulder.
The best friends glare at each other.
“Asia,” Kayla’s voice booms from the speakers, “Venus told me about Thad. I’m really sorry.” She tucks a lock of her straight brown hair behind her ear. “Even though you chose to withdraw from the program, we still consider you a part of the Make It Marriage family.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Hansley arches an eyebrow at Amina, Venus and Kayla. "Can I ask why all of you are here?” He juts his chin out at Nellie and Ina too. "Since when did this become a Make It Marriage problem?”
“Since our name got dragged into the tabloids.” Venus lifts her phone and flashes a headline.
Marriage Agency Gets Client Married To The Wrong Man
Beneath the heading is a picture of me and Thad and a picture of me and Hansley.
Amina shudders. “Some low-grade journalist wrote a piece riddled with inaccuracies . It’s spreading like wildfire and our clients are revolting.”
“Can’t we just put out our own statement.” I clutch my fingers together. “We tell everyone the truth. Or we don’t say anything at all.”
“Unfortunately, we’re not in a place to take another hit to the company image,” Kayla says. “We’re already in damage control mode.”
“That’s our fault.” Tierra raises a hand. She’s wearing a guilty expression that I’m sure is mirrored on my own face. “I fell in love with a high-profile client and caused a stir.”
“I’m not sorry about it,” Brett growls, his jaw tightening.
“Yeah, but now Asia’s left with all this pressure.” Tierra glances at me over the table. “Are you okay? With… everything.”
“I’m not used to all this attention.”
“That’s his fault.” Elizabeth—a beautiful woman with frizzing brown curls and light brown skin points at Brett. “Billionaires are, unfortunately, a big deal in the media. Found that out when he,” she smiles at her husband, Brogan, “became one.”
Nellie smiles. "As the girlfriend of a famous basketball player, I can attest to that. Misunderstandings happen often, especially when gossip magazines are involved. Your home, your business, and even your family can be affected and harassed by the media. Doing nothing isn't an option. We want to help so everyone comes out of this intact.”
A lump forms in my throat as I watch each of them. It’s weirdly overwhelming to have all this concern aimed at me.
I can feel how sincere everyone is about helping out, but I’m also aware that my stupidity last night put them all in a really awkward place.
My eyes lower to the table. “Things weren’t supposed to get this out of hand, but they did and that’s on me.”
Hansley frowns intensely. “What the hell is this? An intervention? Why are you acting like we committed some grave sin?” He stalks to his feet. “What Asia and I did in our private lives is not your concern and it’s not the tabloids’ either.”
“The reporters—“
“Screw them. Some other scandal is going to come along and they’re going to move on. There’s no need to act like this is the end of the world.”
“Hansley, I’m fine,” I mumble as a headache brews.
“You’re not freaking fine.” He glares at me. “Stop saying things you don’t mean. This isn’t your fault and I resent the way everyone’s acting like we’re teenagers who ran away from home.” He glances around the room. “Fix your own damn problems instead of trying to pin it on us.”
“Enough!” I jump to my feet.
Hansley folds his arms over his chest. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You are,” I hiss. “You are wrong. We don’t live in a vacuum.” I lean in so only he can hear me. “I know you hate this feeling. I know you want to pretend that being reckless can only hurt you and no one else, but that’s not true.” In a louder voice, I add, “I accept that my actions inconvenienced you.” I meet Brett’s eyes. “All of you. And I’m willing to help fix it.” I suck in a deep breath and blurt, “And I think the best way to do that is staying married.”
