Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
Front-Page News
Holden is driving us away from where the vultures that were just invading our space. I don’t have it in me to ask questions.
“I didn’t know they were going to show up.”
I say nothing.
“I promise. Chris only told me where you were to convince you, but nobody knew where I was except him.”
No words come out. All I can do is stare at the road ahead of us as we leave the scene. My lips are still tingling at the touch of our lips gently landing on each other. The slowness of that moment in the garden replays in my mind.
Talk about doing something—
I just imploded my whole life in fifteen seconds. All I have left is Holden’s career.
So, I toy with the idea of a “fake” us.
If everyone thinks he’s dating me, then they’ll think he’s stable. Stability equals dependability, which turns into profitability. This was the right move. My image exudes stability.
“This could be good?” I mumble to myself.
“What did you say?”
Holden quickly squeezes my thigh with his open hand, a touch that I don’t register until a few seconds later.
“Just trying out what this all means.”
He is driving oddly slow as he zones in on the road. I’m not even sure I mind, as time has stood still in this car. The side effects of tonight haven’t quite hit yet.
“If you are worried about Chris…” He says.
The sudden mention of his name makes the space in my lungs constrict, no longer able to take in any air.
So much for time standing still.
Holden grips the steering wheel tighter as cars pass him on the highway with ease.
“Can we just pull over? I need to breathe.”
He doesn’t respond to my request immediately, only moving the car far to the right lane.
I needed the fresh air, and the window being cracked open isn’t enough. If I don’t exit this vehicle and smell the open air of the highway, my airways might cave in.
His arm looks tense as I see a blue vein poking out on his dominant hand controlling the wheel. It takes a moment before the car comes to an abrupt stop as we coast to the side until the tires are in the grass.
I get out of the car and wait for him to do the same, resuming our conversation before all the cameras suddenly appeared…
“Holden.”
“Charlotte,” he says in a deeper, mocking voice.
“Be serious.”
I put my hand up in a stopping motion, which he returns with a scout’s honor sign and he remains tight-lipped as if he has thrown away the key.
“Why did you want to work with me?”
His face scans mine. The stilettos on my feet spear the grass as I sink into one spot.
“What kind of question is that?”
His voice is now elevated; he’s no longer soft and careful with his tone. The rapid blinking on his side makes me squirm. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked?
“Never mind, forget I said anything.”
I tug at my feet to pull the heel wedged in between the grass and dirt. Each pull makes me grunt in very attractive ways.
Holden doesn’t seem to notice, clearly fixated on the question I asked a moment ago.
“You are honest.” he says while pacing in front of me with his head down and his hands in his pockets.
“Okay. Great. Now be honest with me.”
“Of course, Char.”
He hasn’t looked up once, only staring at the patch of grass we are in. The thrashing sounds of cars zooming past our car parked on the side of the overpass. The only light showing on this dark road is coming from the cracked door that is open slightly.
I let out the most consuming thought in my head.
“Why the NDA? Was it your idea?”
Holden makes a loud, exasperated sigh before finally looking up to see my face.
“Sorta? After the photo came out from the party you came to see me at… Chris and Albert asked me what I thought of you. I said you were their best employee. One thing turned to another and Albert joked that we should date. Chris thought that would be exactly what we needed.”
“What did you think?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
His body leans against the car, softening his gaze. Of all the people in the world, he allowed Chris Blackburn and Albert Linderman to puppeteer him. Worst of all, to force him to pair him with me.
“I am sure I am the last person you would want to be paired up with in this scenario,” I say, “but I’ve thought about it and I am on board. I am going to leave Blackburn Press, but I am still willing to do this.
“We can get you back to being fully employed in no time. Dating stories always cause a huge rush in the media outlets. The only condition is I am not signing that paper…”
“Charlotte.” He furrows his brows and remains unmoved while I continue to pace in the weeds we are standing in.
“Have a little faith in me.” I say as my smile grows wider.
Holden scoffs while puffing out his chest. We stay in the same standing position, only inches apart. So close, I can hear his breathing.
Any closer and I’ll hear his heartbeat. I should feel guilty about the space between us closing in again.
“You don’t have to sign.”
“Holden, despite what you think, I want you to be successful. You don’t need a signed document from me to make that happen.”
“What do you get out of it if you quit Blackburn?”
Holden moves a step forward, making me unable to breathe my own air.
“I am not really sure yet. But we can call this an ‘I owe you one.’”
His head is tilting downward toward me. It takes all my strength to pull the designer shoe out from under the dirt and create distance between us. My face is no longer flushed as I trudge back to the car, knowing deep down that we can never happen.