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Dane snaps his head toward Romeo and glares.
"How adorable," Katherine says, the corner of her mouth lifting.
Dane stands. He's frustrated, angry, and ready to leave. His visit is a nightmare, and these ladies are rudely crossing the line, besides making him feel like a child in the principal's office. Hetakes a step, then pauses. It's Brittany that's important, not his feelings or his pride.
Romeo arches a brow at Dane as if reading his mind, his expression oddly encouraging.
Dane holds up his hand. "Ladies. Could you please back off? I apologize that things went off the rails with the story getting sidelined. I didn't come here to cause a commotion. I'm here to fix a personal matter between Brittany and myself. However, if you could indulge me for a minute and let me backtrack, I'd like to ask if Brittany can fix the story?"
"It's possible," Natalia says, eyeing Dane with interest.
Katherine shakes her head. "We allowed Brittany to do that, and she couldn't devise a strategy to fix it."
"What if you change the premise of the story?"
"Like?" Natalia says.
"Instead of a story about river cruising and my company, how about revamping it to a story about finding love on the Danube? You could focus on Brittany and me meeting, falling for each other, and how our relationship blossoms. You could run it as a Valentine's Day story."
"Hmm, I like it." Katherine looks over at Natalia. "What do you think? It would save the story. I think it would capture our reader's interest, too."
Natalia taps her index finger on her bottom lip as she takes a moment to think. "It would work, except there's a problem. We need Mr. Evans and Brittany to patch things up, or else the story will be a fabrication, and we won't be able to run it."
"Could you please call me Dane? I think you've bludgeoned me enough to use my first name."
Both women turn to Dane. Natalia looks amused.
Katherine narrows an eye. "We did not—"
"I have an idea!" Romeo shouts, raising his hand as if he were in school. "Natalia can't go to the gala tonight, so what ifDane uses her ticket and goes in her place? He could surprise Brittany."
"Wait a second. What gala?" Dane says, looking worried.
"It's an annual fundraising gala for cancer research.Exploremagazine is one of the sponsors." Romeo smiles slyly. "Harper, Baxter, and Lane are sponsors, too, which means the jerk will be there."
Natalia shakes her head and raises her eyes to the ceiling. "Oh, heaven help us."
Katherine laughs. "Now I'm forced to agree. It'll be a divine and well-deserved payback."
"Would one of you care to clue me in?" Dane snaps in frustration.
"Oh, this is precious." Romeo turns to Dane. "Brittany's ex-boyfriend, Troy, will be there."
"Christ. Talk about adding another layer of complications to an already unpredictable evening. I don't even know if Brittany will be happy to see me."
Romeo grins. "I can guarantee Brittany will be happy to see you."
"I hope so. If not, at least I can keep that asshole from coming near her." Dane suddenly takes a step back and studies the three of them. "So tell me. Why are you even helping me? What do you get out of this?"
"We get to see Brittany happy. She deserves it," Romeo says.
"Not to mention, we care a great deal about her." Katherine suddenly snickers, her eyes glinting. "Which is why Natalia and I gave you a hard time."
Natalia turns to Dane, an actual smile gracing her lips. "And you passed the test."
"Wait. So you terrorized me on purpose?" Dane eyes Natalia, trying to look serious. But he's finding their tactic borderline amusing.
"We did," Natalia says. "Katherine and I have a meeting, so we'll need to leave you with Romeo to discuss the details. Now, I'm almost sorry I'll miss the gala."
