Page 44 of Pucked and Pregnant

I’m not sure if I should take that to mean there are people he suspects are dishonest or if he’s just being reassuring.

Although if there is a list, I’d bet a week’s worth of groceries that Travis would be right at the top of it.

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your vote of confidence.”

“You’ve earned it.” His face then shifts to an expression of concern. “How are you holding up with all of this?”

I sigh. “I’m used to dealing with the press, but it feels a lot safer when there’s a podium or a table between you being used as a buffer. If I’ve learned anything from watching Max’s career, it’s that this is all going to blow over once they get bored or find a new story—whichever comes first. I was toying with the idea of making a statement, but that’s just going to add fuel to the fire. I’ve decided my best option at this point is to wait them out and ignore all the nonsense they’re spewing.”

“I think that’s a solid plan, but it could get worse before it gets better. So, if you need to work from home for a day or two or need some help drafting a statement—if it comes to that—please feel free to reach out to Grace or myself.”

“Hopefully, I won’t need it, but I promise I’ll take you up on your offer if I do,” I say.

“Was there anything else you wanted to address today, Olivia? Or was it just the articles you came in to talk about?” Scott asks.

“No, that was all. And if you don’t have anything for me, sir, I have some reports to attend to.”

He politely shoos me out of his office, but before I can get very far, Grace catches my arm.

“Are you okay?” she asks. “I wanted to check in with you as soon as you got in this morning, but you seemed so determined to see Mr. Booth that I didn’t want to slow you down.”

I sigh. “I’m as okay as you can be under the circumstances, I guess.”

“Why don’t you let me buy you a coffee from the cafe downstairs? Not to be rude, but you look like you could use a hit of caffeine.”

“I could use more than a hit. Do you think they serve it intravenously?”

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” she says.

“I owe you one.”

“I’ll text you tomorrow morning what I want so you don’t have to go up and down the stairs too many times,” she says with a wink.

“Are you always this shy?” I tease.

I didn’t want to jump right into work after meeting with my boss, and I think Grace knew it. Although the meeting went fine—better than I expected, actually— it still took a lot of emotional energy. Even the relief I felt when he said he believed me was exhausting.

A coffee and a cranberry-orange scone won’t fix everything, but it could just be the pick-me-up I need to restart the day.

“I take it the meeting with your brother went well, if the pictures are anything to go by.”

“It did, and I’m sure you saw the moving boxes so you can probably guess I’ve got my own place now.”

“I have mixed feelings about you finding a compromise.”

I raise a brow at her. “Really?”

“On the one hand, it’s great that you have a place that’s just for you.”

“But?”

“But now you no longer have an excuse to stay at your mystery man’s place.”

“I think that’s for the best. There’s a lot that’s up in the air with that situation, and trust me, it’s far more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Not from the stories you’ve told me.” She laughs. “I guess I won’t be able to live vicariously through you anymore.”

“I’m so sorry for the inconvenience,” I respond dryly.

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