Page 77 of Billionaire Bachelor
Ideally, I’d like more time to figure out the best way to approach the inevitable meltdown, but time isn’t a luxury Logan and I have anymore.
Avery watches me silently, likely running through a game plan in her head like the seasoned PR professional she is.
“Rosalie, you don’t owe me any details about your personal life. I want to make that clear. But in this business, you have to know your name will be out there in no time. One of the first things they’ll uncover is where you work, and that Logan is one of our clients. Which means your problem has now becomemyproblem.
“They’re going to assume you met Logan through your job at Maxwell. And when the man in question is wealthy, attractive, and considered one of the city’s most eligible bachelors? Instant tabloid fodder. Sadly, misogyny is alive and well, which means there’s a high risk of unwarranted accusations coming your way. I’m sure you can imagine the colorful narrative they’ll spin. As a woman, I hate to even acknowledge that bullshit, especially when it’s being thrown at someone I’m fond of. But as your boss, I need to be clear. Icannotlet this reflect poorly on the company. Do you understand what I’m getting at here, Rosalie?”
Oh,fuck.
The blood drains from my face as the realization slams into me like a freight train. Logan’s connection to my job never even crossed my mind. I don’t manage his company’s socials, so I didn’t consider it a conflict of interest. But that doesn’t matter now becauseperceptiontrumps reality. Tabloids thrive on sensationalism, and if they can twist the truth into something spicier, they will. The moment my name gets out, so doesMaxwell & Company’s. I’ve basically handed those bastards the scandal they were looking for on a shiny, silver platter.
Dammit. I’m so freaking screwed.
I feel like I’m going to puke. Or maybe pass out. Or maybe puke and then pass out.
The paparazzi camping outside our office isn’t unheard of. If one of our clients is in deep shit, it comes with the territory. But when you have aPR firm that represents A-list celebritiessuddenly caught up in a tabloid scandal of its own? The optics couldn’t possibly be worse.
I take a deep breath, my stomach twisting with guilt as I meet Avery’s gaze. “I’m so, so sorry, Avery. I didn’t think about how thiswould reflect on the firm because I’m not assigned to Logan’s account. If I had, I would’ve given you a heads-up.”
“What’s done is done.” She swivels in her chair, steepling her perfectly manicured fingers. “What’s important now is what we do moving forward. Nick will be working out of this office for the rest of the week—he’s taking a redeye tonight—because Logan lives here, and it’s much easier to collaborate in person. I’d like to represent you, if you’re okay with that.”
“Wha—” My stomach rolls. “You thinkIneed representation?” I nearly drop my coffee but manage to set it on Avery’s desk before spilling it everywhere. “Couldn’t Nick just issue a statement on Logan’s behalf while I keep my head down until this blows over?” My hands start shaking, so I drop them to my lap, tightly clasping them together.
Calm the fuck down and focus, Rosalie!
She shakes her head. “I don’t think duck and cover is the right approach here. We need to be proactive, and to be frank, I’d like to control your narrative.” She takes a sip of coffee. “That’s what I’m damn good at, and this will go much more smoothly if we get ahead of it. Nick will handle things on Logan’s end, and we’ll work together on any joint statements, butyouneed somebody running interference when the media starts calling for quotes or interviews.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, Avery. Your workload is already insane.”
She waves me off. “It won’t take much if this blows over as quickly as I expect it to.”
“Thank you,” I say, meaning it from the bottom of my heart. “I truly appreciate this, Ave.” I take a deep breath, trying to ease the tension from my shoulders. “Just tell me what you need. Whatever it takes to fix this, I’ll do it.”
“The usual.” She takes her iPad back and grabs the digital pencil out of the clip. “Information about your current relationship and history with Logan, on anyone who might come out of the woodworkcausing problems, etcetera. You’ve known Logan since childhood, correct?”
“Yes. Since I was eleven and he was twelve. He and my brother have been best friends since then, but Logan’s been an extended part of my entire family as well.”
Avery jots a few notes on her tablet. “Good. That’s the angle we’ll lean into, longtime friends to lovers. People eat up fairytale romances, and that’s exactly how we’re going to spin it.” She glances up. “We’ll need proof. Can you get your hands on some old photos or anything that reinforces the history between you and Logan? The more, the better. I’ll sort through them and pick the strongest ones for publication.”
Oh, thank God.
At least something is going my way. My parents havetonsof pictures of us growing up together—this part will be easy.
I nod. “There should be quite a bit. I’ll call my mom and see what she can dig up.”
Avery’s red lips curve into a soft smile. “Great. I told Trish I needed your help with a campaign, so she cleared your morning.” She takes another sip of coffee before continuing. “You good if we tackle this right now?”
“Of course.” I nod.
I can’t believe I didn’t think about the potential consequences involving work. I wouldn’t blame Avery if she fired my ass, but instead, she’s going above and beyond to help. I know part of that is to protect her company, but I know my boss well enough to know she’s concerned about me on a personal level as well. I’m aware of how lucky I am, and I’m sure as hell not going to do anything to make this more difficult for her.
“All right,” she says, turning to her computer. “Let’s get started.”
25
ROSALIE
When I finally get done withAvery, it’s lunchtime, so I step out to my car for some privacy. Logan called and texted while I was meeting with my boss, but my phone was in my purse on “Do Not Disturb,” so I didn’t see them until a minute ago. I give his messages a quick scan before calling him back.
