Page 83 of Rebel Romeo

“And in other ways, it made you hate me.”

I inhale sharply at my retort. What is wrong with me? This is my boss. Why can’t I just, for once, keep my stupid, big mouth shut?

He doesn’t take the bait, though. Unflinching, he holds my gaze, merely shrugging, but also not denying it. “We’re both adults now. And we’re working together with a common goal.”

“Said the scorpion to the frog.”

The hint of a smile twitches on his mouth. God, he is so similar to Holden in so many ways. And yet, the two men couldn’t be more opposite. “Look, we both want this show to be great. You’re smart, beautiful, and talented. I see what my son loves about you.”

“Loved,” I correct him.

He gives me a placating smile in return. “If you say so.”

My brain and heart hiccup over the words he’s just said, but I force my face to remain stony and unreactive. “Your son has a girlfriend.”

Senator Dorsey tilts his head. “Come now. You’re smarter than that. After Holden punched Nolan at the Pillow Fight party, we needed a new headline. One to distract from the violence people saw.”

I suck in a sharp breath as the memory of seeing the reports about Missy and Holden back together fills my mind. I’d always thought it odd that no one reported on Holden punching Nolan. Is this why? Was their relationship just a big publicity stunt? And if so, why didn’t Holden tell me?

“Anyway,” Senator Dorsey continues, “I think you and I could eventually be?—”

“Don’t say friends.”

This earns me another smirk. “Cordial. For the sake of the man we both love.”

Again with that word. Love. I can’t deny it without lying. And even if I was telling the truth, that doesn’t mean anyone would believe me. “With or without Missy, he’s not mine to love.”

“I beg to differ. From the moment you entered the picture, you’ve held Holden’s heart in your hands.”

I fold my arms. “What do you want from me?”

“I told you—I want to get to know the woman my son loves. Because despite everyone’s protests, you’re a tenacious little thing and I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”

“Despite your best efforts, right?”

He shrugs, unapologetically as he pulls out a postcard from his jacket pocket and hands it to me. “I’m having a small get together tonight at my place after the producer’s meeting. Nolan was right… you and he should have been included on more of this stuff. Consider it an olive branch.”

An olive branch? More like deadly nightshade.

I run my fingers over the gold letter press of the invitation and narrow my eyes at Senator Dorsey. I’m not sure what his angle is here, but I know him well enough to know that there is one. Even if I can’t see it just yet. “And what about Missy?”

A dark cloud passes over his features. “The one thing I know about you is that you’re loyal. Perhaps to a fault. No one cheats on a Dorsey and gets away with it.”

“Except for you. Right Senator?” I say. That man cheated on his wife more times than most people could count.

For the first time since he arrived, his unflappable demeanor cracks. Tension ropes the muscles lining his throat and his jaw goes tight. “She wasn’t a Dorsey,” he responds.

“Say that to Holden’s face,” I retort.

His smirk is dark and filled with anything but humor this time. “I’ll see you at seven, Ms. Harris.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Holden

Five years ago…

Fucking hell, I was nervous. I was so nervous I felt physically ill, like I might throw up. It was Saturday night and I was about to take Katherine out on a proper date. I’d made reservations at Willow Tavern because that’s where good guys took nice girls.

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