He nodded. “Yeah, but you’re my pain in the ass.”
“Do you forgive me?” I pressed my wet face against his shirt.
“Of course, I forgive you.” He tilted my head up and pressed his lips against mine.
“There’s more,” I pulled back from the kiss.
“More what?” he asked.
I hesitated, nervous that he might hate the idea. Jack had always been a private person, and I wasn’t convinced he’d be willing to invite the public into our personal space. “I want to fix everything. I want people to stop hating us and believing the things they read and think they see. The magazine said they would be willing to interview us. They’d call it a local human-interest story, but it really would be our way of setting the record straight. Nora and Melissa both think this will help our public image. Especially in light of Chrystle’s accusations and the Matteo picture, but they want to do it as soon as possible.”
“Do we get to throw Chrystle under the bus?”
“Every step of the way. We can address whatever we want. Nora said we would have a lot of creative control, but she’d make sure we came out on top. What do you think?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Really?” I thought he would argue more, or be more concerned.
“Really. I think this is the best way for people to hear the truth. And since it’s the magazine you work for, I trust it will be done right.”
“Me too.”
“So you set it up, and I’ll be there.”
“Your next day off is Monday. Can we do it then?”
“I’m all yours.”
“I’m excited for people to learn about the real us. Maybe they’ll stop being so judgmental,” I said hopefully.
“Who cares? Is it time for make-up sex yet?” He bit his bottom lip suggestively, and I instantly craved every inch of his skin on mine.
“Absolutely.” I leaped into his waiting arms, desperately pressing my lips against his.
“Don’t forget your quarters,” he teased.
I Can’t Believe I Did That
Cassie
I hopped out of bed Monday morning filled with anticipation. The interview was supposed to take place here in our apartment, but Nora asked to see us in the office first. The request was a bit unusual, but since she was doing us this huge favor, I agreed. Not to mention the fact that I still was getting paid time off.
Tossing my long hair into a ponytail, I stared at the bags under my eyes before dabbing some concealer on them. I hurried through the rest of my makeup routine as Jack hopped into the shower.
“Do we have a new driver, or should I just call us a cab?” I cringed at bringing up the whole Matteo and driver situation.
“I never hired a new person. I’ve just been using random drivers.”
“So, do you want to call the car company or grab a taxi?” I pressed my lips together to spread my lipstick.
“Whatever you want. I don’t really care.”
I frowned to my reflection at Jack’s apparent indifference. “We’ll just take a cab.” I finished getting ready as Jack got dressed and disappeared into the living area. I hated how it took him absolutely no time to look gorgeous.
By the time I got ready, I caught Jack reading online, a sour look spread across his face. I crept up behind him and tossed my arms around his shoulders before looking on the computer screen. A nasty article titled a “Home-Wrecking Floozy” was on the screen. Obviously, it was about me.
He shook his head, his hand reaching up to grab mine. “I’m so sorry, Kitten. I had no idea these were the kinds of things people were saying about you.”
I leaned down and kissed his cheek. “It’s not your fault, babe.”
“Yes, it is. This whole thing is my fault. No wonder you flipped out. This shit is horrible.”
I shrugged. “None of that matters. It’s all lies anyway, and we both know it.”
“You really don’t care?”
“I care about how you feel about me. Not a bunch of people I don’t know. At least I’m trying not to care what they think,” I admitted honestly.
I pulled Jack by the hand into the magazine offices. He had never been up there before. “Where’s your desk?” he whispered as my coworkers turned to eye us before saying hi and excitedly introducing themselves to Jack. I spotted Joey in the kitchen, hanging back and looking clearly uncomfortable, and I offered him a slight smile. He smiled back but stayed put.
I pointed toward the far wall. “Over there. I’ll show you after.”
I rapped on Nora’s oversized door. “Come in,” she called out.
We closed the door behind us. Nora stood up and came around her desk to introduce herself to Jack. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”