Page 87 of Harmless Scandals

He sat down on the bed next to her. “I want to know because it’s a part of you. But we don’t need an accounting of everything.”

‘That’s not important right now. What’s important is that we get ahead of this.”

Her phone vibrated.

“Nicola,” she said after picking it up.

She was quiet for a long period of time.

“I’m fine and no I’m not crying.”

Quiet again.

“No, I don’t need you to beat anyone up.”

He shared a look with Adam.

“So, it was someone who saw me on the beach? How does something like that happen? I go to the beach all the time.”

“Okay, okay.”

The voice on the other end of the phone rose in volume.

“No, I haven’t heard from her, but it won’t be long, I’m sure. And, yes, I had a restraining order but didn’t renew it.”

Nicola talked for a long time, which had Serenity shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

“I told you before. I didn’t want to do it because she would have my new name. You agreed.”

She smiled.

“Yeah. Okay. And, yes, they’re here.”

She clicked on the phone speaker.

“So, I guess both of you are there,” the crisp voice said on the other end of the phone.

“Yes,” Adam said.

“Good. The best thing you can do is lay low. Are either of you going to have an issue at work?”

“No,” Mick said. “We’re independent and the company we contract with is owned by a close, personal friend. He already knows about the relationship.”

“Good. Sometimes it’s good to get out there with the info, but the truth is, Serenity is off the radar. If we can stop this information from leaking to the press, we can handle it easier. If not, a statement would be best. No personal appearances.”

“Agreed,” Serenity said.

“The best thing right now is that Hawaii has some strict laws when it comes to privately owned property. Anyone shows up and crosses that line, call the police.”

“We can handle it,” Mick said.

“No. Don’t. Do not engage. Believe me, I’ve had to deal with this kind of stuff thanks to Jensen’s past.” There was a male voice, but he couldn’t make out what the man was saying. “If you had kept it in your pants and hadn’t become an addict, it wouldn’t be a problem. Sorry about that. Jensen took umbrage to my comment.”

“No problem,” Serenity said with a smile.

“Remember, fake tabloid stories and rumors are best if you don’t give them anything to print and threaten to sue.”

“But our story is true,” Adam said.

---