by Michele Hauf
“As if I mind,” he managed to say in a raspy voice. Taking her by the hand, he turned to the table. “Rusty, Lilly, this is my lovely girlfriend, Kennedy.”
“What a unique name,” Lilly said.
“Her last name is Monroe.” Hawk scooted in the booth after Kennedy, resting his hand on her thigh.
She laced her fingers through his, and he had to admit, even if only to himself, it felt damn comfortable. “My parents thought it would be fun to name all my siblings after other Kennedys.”
“Curiosity killed the cat. Why the obsession with the Kennedys?” Rusty asked.
“Well, I always start with the fact my father is a history professor, and it’s just one of many presidential families he’s taken a fascination with. All our family pets are named after the Bush family.”
“That’s too funny,” Lilly said.
“But the truth of the matter is his name is Theodore? Monroe and my mother’s name is Marylin.”
Rusty tossed his head back and burst out laughing. “I have to meet your family. Sounds like they have a great sense of humor.”
“Oh. They do. And I had to develop one, along with a thick skin, early on,” Kennedy said.
“So, what brings you to the Los Angeles area?” Hawk asked.
“New job.” Rusty shrugged. “But I promised my bride here no shop talk tonight.”
“Sounds good to me,” Kennedy said. “Working together means we end up talking about work about ninety percent of our time together. It’s often a buzzkill, if you know what I mean.”
Hawk couldn’t believe how well Kennedy played the part of his girlfriend. It was as if she really was his other half.
The waitress came over and took their drink and dinner order while James had sent some snacks on the house to the table. The entire evening felt natural, and that was weird, but Hawk wasn’t going to question it.
At least not in the moment.
Every chance he got, he would steal a glance at Kennedy. Her smile captivated the room, and her laugh made his insides turn to mush. She held her own during every topic, even the more challenging political ones that Rusty had been notorious for in college. He’d always enjoyed stirring the pot and creating a little heated conversation, just because he could.
The longer the evening went on, the more he felt like he’d be able to pull this off with his parents.
“This was an amazing evening,” Rusty said. “I insist on picking up the bill.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Oh, but I want to.” Rusty waved his hand in the direction of the waitress. “I know this is in poor taste, and maybe you haven’t seen the story.”
“Honey, don’t ruin a perfectly good night,” Lilly said.
“It’s okay.” Hawk nodded. “I assume you’re talking about Heather and her accusation. Well, none of it’s true. I didn’t push her, and I’m not the father of her twins. The story will eventually blow over.”
“This doesn’t seem like that kind of story,” Rusty said with a raised brow. “Did you see her interview?”
“Not yet,” Hawk admitted, and that made him squirm in his seat.
“I’ve seen it,” Kennedy interjected. “While it’s pretty damning, we’ll handle it.”
“This really sucks for you though,” Lilly said, reaching across the table and taking Kennedy’s hands. “Wouldn’t it be easier to tell the world about your relationship? I mean, I can only assume the two of you were together last night; wouldn’t that give him the alibi he needs?”
He shook his head, staring at Kennedy, and for the first time in the evening, he was at a loss for words. He also didn’t like the way Lilly used the word alibi, as if the cops would be involved or as if she knew something he didn’t.
“I had a girls’ night with my sisters, and we’re not living together or anything, so it’s not like we’re together every night, but we were in constant contact, and we’re certainly not worried about anything Heather has to say. She’s pulled this kind of thing before, and it will blow up in her face, just like the last time. And if you saw all the reports, most are questioning her stability. Her story doesn’t make sense, and I don’t think anyone is really taking her seriously.”
“I don’t know, someone pushed her down those stairs,” Rusty said.
“Or she pushed herself.” Hawk didn’t like where Rusty was going with the conversation. “She’s a media whore.”
“Hawk. No need to go low,” Kennedy said. “We both know she’s been through a lot, and she’s just acting out, and you’re an easy target. As we’ve always agreed, you need to take the high road. Besides, we spent a good hour last night back and forth in email, and you had that conference call with the media company from Australia.”
“I forgot about that. I was on the phone with them from midnight our time until two in the morning,” Hawk said. Although he had no idea what time the alleged attack took place, he at least had that going for him.
“Mind if I ask you a really personal question?” Rusty asked as he signed the check.
“Shoot.” Hawk tried not to fidget, but it had been two hours since the story broke, and he knew it would be a PR nightmare, and he and Kennedy needed to develop a plan, plus do some research and find out which journalistic vultures would be covering this story and set up interviews with the ones that would make him look good.
“You two make for a great couple. Why are you keeping it a secret? If this story isn’t true—”
“It’s totally fabricated,” Kennedy interjected with a fierce tone. She flattened her hands against the tabletop and leaned forward. “Heather has sent threatening emails and left unsettling messages on Hawk’s voicemail. This is nothing more than a smear campaign, and this time, I’m not going to let my boyfriend be nice about it.”
“Babe.” Hawk patted Kennedy’s leg. His heartbeat kicked up a notch, surprised by her intensity. She’d been the one to tell him to always kill the stories and rumors with kindness, and it always worked, so why would she change her tune now? “I know you’re upset, but I don’t think Rusty meant to offend you, us, in any way.”
“I absolutely didn’t,” Rusty said. “I just thought if your relationship was out in the open, the likelihood Heather would have targeted you might have been slim to none.”
Hawk had to admit, Rusty had a point, if only the relationship was real. Shortly after the Lorna fiasco, Heather had reached out to him four times. Each time, he totally ignored her, and for good reason. Then, a few weeks ago, she got crazy and again, he never returned her calls.
Maybe he should have.
“That’s probably true, but you have to understand our backstory,” Kennedy said with a long breath. “We came together the night I found my ex-boyfriend in bed with my best friend.”
“You actually caught them?” Lilly said.
“It wasn’t a pretty sight nor was it one of my shining moments considering I ruined his brand-new carpet by pouring a bottle of red wine on it. But I left his apartment and stumbled into this place where Hawk was licking his wounds over Lorna.”
“I remember that press conference.” Rusty waggled his finger. “You stood right behind him.”
“I stand behind him at most public things, but no one notices me, which is the way I prefer it,” Kennedy said.
“She hates the spotlight, and I don’t blame her.” Hawk leaned in and kissed her cheek. “She’s been my rock for a long time. I’d be lost without her.” And that was a true statement, especially when it came to his professional life.
But sitting in this booth, right here. Right now.
He honestly wanted to see if there could be more, and that thought terrified him. She was his assistant and not the kind of woman he dated because she had depth. She was smart, and she didn’t see him as her ticket to the big time, even though he did sign her paycheck. She had style and grace and a kick-ass sense of humor. She knew when to be serious and when to be sarcastic with any given client in any situation. He could g
o out of town and knew his office would run as smoothly as if he were at the helm.
And she had a kind heart.
Oh boy, was he in deep shit.
“After that first night, we became good friends,” Kennedy continued. “One thing led to another, and a few months ago things changed. It’s been nice to keep it private and out of the spotlight both at work and in the public because it allowed things to happen naturally and organically. But now, we do it because to make a big announcement would cause more questions that would make it look like we’ve been hiding something, so we’re trying to navigate a response for that.”
“What about telling the world what you just told us?” Lilly sat back and rested her hands on her round belly.
“Makes sense,” Hawk said. If the relationship was real. “We’ll give it some consideration.” He stood, holding out his hand. “But for now, we really need to go so we can get ahead of this Heather situation. It was really good to see you again. Let’s keep in touch.”
“Absolutely,” Rusty said. “Do you have a business card? I don’t have any with me.”
Hawk dug into his pocket and pulled out his billfold. “That number will take you to the receptionist. Ask for Kennedy. She’ll put you through to me.”
“Got it. It was great seeing you, man.”
Hawk took Kennedy by the hand and led her to the back door. “I’ve got a private car service waiting in the back.”
“Is that how you got me home that night without anyone seeing us?” Kennedy asked.
“Exactly. And then I bribed your doorman a grand to keep his mouth shut.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “Now I understand why he’s always smiling and telling me to say hello to you.”
“He refused my money and told me he’d do anything for you.”
She paused midstep. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “I was terrified he’d snapped a picture when I wasn’t looking, since I carried you over my shoulder.”
“Oh, good Lord.” She smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I don’t remember leaving the bar.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said, opening the back door. “We’ll go to my place, hash out a plan, and then the service will take you home.”
“As long as you have wine, I’m good with that plan.” She waved her finger in his face. “Just no bourbon. I don’t ever want to drink that shit again.”
2
Kennedy lifted her eyelids slowly. It took a few minutes to focus as she stared out the sliding glass windows at the ocean. The waves gently lapped at the sand while the night sky began to lighten as the sun’s rays started to melt away the darkness. She’d stayed up till three in the morning hashing out a plan with Hawk. They had already made a public statement, releasing parts of the video conference chat that Hawk had with the Australian media company, and Heather already started to backpedal, stating everyone took her statement out of context. That she’d been in so much pain and had been so confused that the only thing she’d meant to say about Hawk was that he was the father of her twins.
Now it was a matter of the paternity test, and Hawk agreed to go to the hospital later in the day and have that taken care of by an independent lab.
By tomorrow, all this would blow over.
She sighed. She could have gone home, or at the very least, slept in the spare room, but he insisted she wake up to the view, so who was she to say no to his hospitality? That would be rude. She stretched, rolling to her side, soaking in the glorious sunrise. She’d always wanted to live on the ocean. As a little girl, she’d told her parents that one day, she’d make enough money to buy a house on the beach.
Or she’d marry well.
Her parents always told her to shoot for the former. They taught her to rely on herself, and while she’d never been dependent on anyone since leaving the nest, she certainly wouldn’t say no to falling in love with a man who could give her this kind of lifestyle.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it.”
“Holy shit.” She jerked so hard she fell out of bed, landing hard on her ass on the floor. She brushed her hair from her face and glanced up at the bed, staring at the bright-eyed and freshly shaven face of Hawk Jefferson. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry. I brought you some coffee.” He held up a mug. “And some eggs, bacon, French toast, pancakes, home fries, fruit, and some other things. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made everything.” He twisted away from her before bending over and helping her back to the bed.
The bitter aroma of coffee collided with cinnamon and rich syrup in her nose, making her moan. “That smells amazing.”
He lifted a large bed tray and set it over her legs. On it was enough food to feed a small army. “I figured what you didn’t eat, I would.”
“You might need to make more. Breakfast is my favorite meal.”
He laughed, holding up his mug. “I’m sorry I startled you. I stood at the door and whispered your name, but you didn’t budge, so I decided to watch the ocean.”
“Not to mention be a creeper and watch me sleep.” She should be angry and disturbed by what he did, but she wasn’t. Not even a little. She knew Hawk would never take advantage of any woman. He’d proven that time and time again. The only problem was she might want him to make a move.
And she might be receptive.
Or maybe she should make a move.
Hell no. Not now. Things we’re too weird while they acted as if they were in a relationship. It would not be a good idea to muddy the waters that way. Right now, it was best to keep the dating pretend and work status quo. In a few weeks, after his parents left, maybe she’d get up enough nerve to ask him out for drinks.
He divided up the food into two plates and set one on his lap. He wasted no time digging in.
Nor did she.
“Oh, my God. This is amazing. You really made all this?” she asked, waving a fork filled with French toast around.
He leaned forward and snagged it between his teeth, sucking the succulent food into his mouth, making a popping noise followed by a groan. “I am a damn good cook if I do say so myself.”
“Do you eat like this every morning?”
“I wish, especially the lying in bed part, but most mornings I have to race out to the office because I was up too late working, and I refuse to open my eyes until I have to,” he said with an amused smile.
“But your office looks out at the same beach, so I don’t feel sorry for you.”
He laughed. “I don’t feel sorry for me. Now eat up. We’ve got a busy day, including sneaking into your house to get you some clothes. If we’re not careful, we’re going to feed the rumor mill.”
She waggled her finger in his face. “That’s not funny. That’s the last thing you need, and I never, ever want to be in that lion’s den.”
“I don’t blame you there.”
His cell phone rang. He glanced at it and tossed it on the bed. “I hate telemarketers.” But it buzzed again. “Christ.” He tapped at the screen. “Oh, that was Rusty. He texted and told me I had to call him back ASAP. That it was really important.”
“Might as well.” She continued to stuff her face as if it were her last meal. If her sisters Jackie, Rose, and Ethel could see her now, they’d not only be green with envy, but they’d say it was about freaking time. They’d been pushing her to make a move on her boss for months.
Then again, nothing had happened.
And nothing would.
“He asked me to put it on speaker. Said this concerns you as well,” Hawk said, ripping her from her insane thoughts.
“I don’t like the sound of that.” She sat up a little taller and adjusted her hair as if this man could see her.
“Okay, Rusty, go ahead.”
“I had no intention of running this story,” Rusty started.
Kennedy dropped her fork in her lap. Syrup dribbled down her bare thigh. Her jaw slacked open.
Hawk pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Starting tomorrow, I’m the new entertainment reporter for The Morning Dose,” Rusty said.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Kennedy picked up the fork, set it on the tray, and moved the tray to the floor. “The entire time last night you were interviewing us for a piece? Was there some hidden camera crew or something like that? And I thought The Morning Dose was going to go with that guy from that cheesy entertainment news show out of New York.”
“That was to throw people off since I didn’t seem like a likely choice, and I didn’t poll well,” Rusty said.
“Well, this is one way to make a splash.” Hawk’s voice was filled with sarcasm. “So, what exactly is the story you’re running with and when?”
“The when will be the second segment, and the story is the two of you.”
“Fuck. How could you do that to me?” Hawk punched the bed before jumping out of it and pacing in front of the sliding glass mirrors, holding the phone in his hand.
“I swear to God that I did not tell the studio I was having dinner with you, but they have pictures of you and Kennedy leaving out the back door and of you getting to your house last night.”
“Maybe you didn’t tell them that we were there, but did you keep our relationship private?”
“No. I didn’t,” Rusty said. “Look. You might have handled the accusations of pushing her down the stairs, but I interviewed her. She was supposed to be my story this morning, and she had a laundry list of lies about you and her. Your relationship with Kennedy shuts that shit down and will get Heather and women like her off your book for good.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make.” Kennedy grabbed the phone. “Pull the story.”
“I can’t,” Rusty said. “Trust me when I say, I’m doing the story reluctantly.”
“The fuck you are.” Hawk stopped pacing and stood with his hands on his hips, his back to the room, staring out at the ocean.
