“No.” Ellie’s stomach fell. She could have sworn it hit the floor.
“‘Derrick Jameson and Ellie Gold made an official appearance together at the swanky Hay-Adams Hotel tonight. No word on whether they got a room, but they did leave the business party one right after the other, making more than one partygoer wonder if Derrick sprang for the presidential suite…’”
Silence screamed through the room. Ellie could feel it hammering in her head as it rumbled through her.
“Okay.” Vanessa cleared her throat. “So, that happened.”
“It did not happen.” Ellie reached over and turned the laptop to face her. “We argued. We fought.”
She started tapping random keys. Anything to make that now familiar Insider website disappear.
“Wait, go back. There’s a photo.” Vanessa swatted Ellie’s hand away then leaned in and pointed at the screen. “Why does it look like you’re hanging on his arm?”
As if Ellie could deny it. The evidence, even though it didn’t show the whole story, was right there. Her pressing against him, looking up at him. Anyone seeing this would believe they were having an intimate chat.
“That’s not… I was just…” The words clogged her throat in the rush to get them out. “I’m going to kill him.”
Vanessa winced. “You can’t think that he—”
“Of course he planted this. I’m his PR plan.” And he wasn’t even trying to hide it. He’d been very clear. She just hadn’t realized he’d turned it on full-time.
Vanessa made a humming sound. “He really is cute.”
“Don’t.”
“But clearly a gigantic ass.” Vanessa’s voice sounded harsher that time.
“Better.” But still not good enough. Ellie wanted to forget all about his smug face.
“Hating him doesn’t fix the Noah situation,” Vanessa said, being far too reasonable for the moment.
“Or help with my income issue or get my life under control. Yeah, I know.”
Vanessa’s shoulders fell as she sighed. “I can give you money, or move in here with me and don’t pay rent for a few months. Give yourself a financial break.”
“I can’t.”
“You can.” Vanessa made a grumbling sound as she said something under her breath that wasn’t quite clear. “I’m thinking about stuffing twenties into your purse while you’re not looking.”
With that, Ellie felt some of the Derrick-related anger drain away. She reached over and gave her friend’s arm a quick squeeze. “You’re awesome and I love you, but this is bigger than a short-term money problem. It’s like everything is spinning and I can’t make it stop.” Even now her life choices ran through her head as she questioned each one. “I still can’t believe I got fired for something that wasn’t my fault.”
“So, take it back.” Vanessa grabbed the bottle and refilled her glass. “Control, I mean. Start with one thing. You take a small piece, conquer that and then move on.”
The advice rolled around in Ellie’s head until it took hold. She knew exactly which battle to wage first. “Right. Derrick Jameson.”
“Um, no. I was thinking more like you could get a temp job and rebuild.” Vanessa topped off Ellie’s glass. “A guy like Jameson is not easily managed. Forget him. Handle what you need first.”
The suggestion made sense but Ellie couldn’t survive that way. She’d spent so much of her life fixing things. First, for her father, who had one pipe dream after another, and her mother, who had fought to keep them together as a family. Then for her brother. She didn’t have the energy left to tackle straightening out her life, but she would. Later. Once she’d dealt with Derrick and Noah was back on track. “I have to handle these other pieces first.”
Vanessa shook her head. “Ellie, you can’t fix everything.”
“I can fix this. If Derrick Jameson wants a battle, he’s going to get one.”
CHAPTER TWO
The DC Insider: The hottest romance in town just got more interesting. Ever wonder what happens when the lady in question calls our office to insist there is no romance? Well, we call the gentlemen for his comment. And Derrick Jameson did not disappoint. The usually demanding businessman chuckled and said, “You should listen to Ellie. I enjoy acquiescing to her.” These two are never dull.
She’d been summoned.
The call came at a little after nine the next morning. Ellie debated ignoring it. She wasn’t exactly the type to jump when a man ordered, but then Derrick was no ordinary man. He seemed to enjoy ticking her off.