“I’m trying to work out how close you’ve gotten. But you’re right. I’m sorry. I can tell you care about her.”
“More than you can know. More than makes sense. But I don’t give a damn if it makes sense. She’s going to be the mother of my children.”
Jack lets out a long breath. “What about the show? You can’t quit halfway through. We’re making real headway here.”
“I know. I don’t want to quit. I want to do this for the company.”
“But the way you were tonight, Kayden… I don’t want to be a dick, but you need to put more effort in if you’re going to be believable. You were doing well at the beginning.”
That was before I knew she was a virgin. That was before I knew she was going to be mine, only mine, forever. That was before everything changed.
“Have you told Kyra any of this?”
I swallow. “No. I’m not sure if I should. But on the other hand, it’s becoming insanely difficult not to.”
“It’s going to be a lot for her to take on board,” Jack says. “Maybe you should wait until after the show.”
“Is this my friend speaking, or my right hand man?”
“Both,” Jack says firmly. “Think about it. If she says she feels the same… how the hell are you going to complete the final episode? How are you going to kiss one of the contestants? People are excited about that, you know.”
“What people?” I grunt.
“Celebrity magazines. People on social media. Memes are being made about you, good ones. You’re becoming a bit of an icon. It’s nothing crazy, but it’s just what we need to give your image a makeover.”
“And if she doesn’t feel the same?” I say, grinding my teeth. “What’s your expert opinion in that scenario?”
Jack ignores my tone. I know I must sound petulant, but I feel trapped. I need to do right by my shareholders and, ultimately, my employees.
But how can I keep going on with this charade?
“Then you’re going to be on a warpath,” Jack says. “I know how long you’ve waited to find this woman. I know how much it means to you. How are you going to stay focused if she rejects you?”
I laugh grimly. “You really know how to hit a man where it hurts, bro. But thank you. I’m glad you’re being honest with me.”
“Always, Kayden. Always. So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I can’t stay away from her, though. It’s killing me.”
“Just think about what I said. There’s a lot at stake here.”
I nod. He’s right. But it feels like there’s more at stake if I don’t tell her.
Our family, our future, love. The life I never could’ve imagined before I laid eyes on her.
Isn’t that worth a little risk?
I need to consider my options.
Jack wouldn’t tell me the show mattered if it didn’t.
But he’s living in a dreamland if he thinks I can forget about Kyra.
Chapter Fourteen
Kyra
Lisa sent me on a bunch of errands yesterday, meaning I didn’t have to watch Kayden and Oaklyn’s date live, but jealousy still burns inside me every time I see a clip on social media. I tried not to let myself look at them during the car ride home, but the temptation was deafening.
At lunchtime, after helping with some of the prep for later, I find a quiet corner of the parking lot and call Zadie. She was busy with an important deadline yesterday and I didn’t want to bother her, but I need my bestie’s advice. I feel like I’m living in a surrealist painting, with no clue if any of this is real or not.
“Are you busy?” I ask when she answers.
She laughs. “Hello to you too.”
“Sorry.” I make myself smile, hoping it comes across in my tone. “I’d just like to talk. But it’s cool if you can’t.”
“I’m actually doing absolutely nothing except for lying in bed chilling after yesterday. So it’s your lucky day.” She laughs again. “Are you okay, Kyra? You sound stressed.”
“I don’t know if stressed is the right word.”
“Tell me.”
“I want to… but I’m not sure you’re going to believe me.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Is it something to do with your new job? I hope they’re treating you well. Tell them I’ll drive down there and teach them all a lesson if not.”
I giggle at the idea of Zadie charging onto the set, backing Lisa into a corner, and waving her hand in her face. She would do it, too. Zadie has always been protective of me.
“It’s not that.”
She pauses. “You hear that, Kyra?”
“Hear what?”
“Listen again.”
She pauses, saying nothing. I listen closely, wondering if there’s a song in the background she wants me to hear.
“I don’t hear anything,” I murmur.
“Wrong. What you can hear is me waiting for you to explain what the heck is going on.”