Page 97 of Billionaire Bachelor
She nods into my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. We sit like that for a while, letting the fire crackle and the city buzz quietly below us. Even with the tension still lingering from Ryan’s exit, I can’t bring myself to feel anything but content. Because for the first time in a long time, I’m not chasing anything. Not running from it either. I’ve got the girl. I’ve got the vision. And even if not everything’s perfect, it’s real, and it’s ours.
And I plan to savor every crazy beautiful moment of it.
30
ROSALIE
I’ve beenat work for less than an hour when shit officially hits the fan. Avery and I prepared for this, but it’s still unnerving being on this side of a scandal.
“How bad is it?” I bite the tip of my thumb, waiting for my boss’s reply.
Avery turns her monitor toward me. The headlines don’t start out too terrible, but my stomach tightens as I get further down the list.
Billionaire’s Mystery Woman Identified:Social Media Manager Rosalie Morales has officially taken this bachelor off the market.
Meet Rosalie Morales, the Woman Who Stole Logan Edwards’ Heart:Sources say these two are init to win it.
Rosalie Morales: Girlfriend or Gold-digger?Exclusive interview with Rosalie’s ex, Julian Hunt.
Is the Billionaire Bachelor Being Scammed by a Beguiling Brunette?Rumor has it this PR beauty has some tricks up her sleeve.
I hold my hand up,turning away. “I’ve seen enough.”
Avery exhales, leaning forward. “The good news is we’re on top of it. We held off confirming the relationship to avoid fueling speculation, but with Julian’s comments making the rounds, we need to get out in front of it, onourterms. We already knew they’d be working the gold-digger angle, but having your most recent ex—who happens to be a multi-millionaire—implying it’s true doesn’t look good.”
“You think?” I arch a brow. “God, I can’t believe he’s trying to make me look like the bad guy whenhe’sthe one who cheated. Plus, I never gave a damn about Julian’s trust fund, and I certainly never expected him to provide me with a lavish lifestyle. What an asshole.”
“A bitter, jealous asshole, I’m guessing,” Avery suggests. “But nothing we can’t handle. Nick’s on his way to Logan’s office right now. He wants to tweak their statement to address this latest development before releasing it.”
I cross my arms, trying not to let my frustration show. “Am I making a statement now, too?”
Avery shakes her head. “Not yet. If we keep you quiet, it helps shift the narrative away from you and back onto the relationship as a whole, which is where it should be.”
I know she’s right. I do. But it still makes my eye twitch knowing Julian thinks he got the best of me. I have an undeniable urge to dialhis number and set him straight. Preferably with lots of four-letter words and insults to his manhood.
Instead, I take a breath. “Okay. So, what exactlyisthe plan?”
Avery swivels her screen back toward herself and clicks through a few files. “We’re prepping a soft rollout that reframes your image without making it look like we’re playing clean up. We’ll push a few lifestyle pieces through trusted outlets. Highlight your career with Maxwell, your client roster, the fact that you were already killing it before you and Logan got together. The childhood photos you provided were excellent. After we blast out your professional achievements, we’re going to shift our focus to your friends-to-lovers storyline. That’s where we’ll really have them eating out of our hands.”
“Okay,” I say, knee bouncing. “What about Julian? Can we prevent him from talking to anyone else? Threaten him with a defamation suit or something?”
She sighs. “Not as long as he continues to choose his words carefully. His accusations were moreimplicationthan anything. Don’t worry about him. Once we get our counterattack in place, Julian will look like nothing more than a bitter smarmy ex.”
“Well, at least he’ll be living up to his MO,” I mutter.
Avery doesn’t laugh, but the corner of her mouth quirks. “I’ll have Tessa put together a quiet piece on your breakup timeline with Julian, just in case someone wants clarification. But overall, we’re keeping it classy. I know he was a complete schmuck to you, but running a schmear campaign against him won’t do us any good, so word of his adultery won’t come from us.” She shrugs. “But if he keeps implying shitty things, an anonymous tip might just find itself in the right hands.”
I nod, breathing a little easier. Until I think about how quickly my family could get dragged into this now that I’ve been doxed. As if worrying about the professional implications weren’t bad enough.
“Avery…” I look up at her. “If you think it’s better I step away from Maxwell for a while…”
“Don’t go there.” She’s firm, holding a hand up. “We’ve been through this, Rosalie. You’re an asset to this firm, and we’ll make damn sure everyone knows it.”
“Still.” I twist the rotating band on my index finger. “It’s hard not to feel responsible for putting you guys in this position.”
Avery leans forward, voice quieter. “Rosa. We’re publicists. This is what wedo. We don’trunfrom messes; wemanagethem. If we can’t protect our own people, we have no business protecting anyone else.” She sits up straighter. “Now, get back to work and let me handle this. Mark my words. Within twenty-four hours, the media will be singing a different tune on Rosalie Morales.”
“Thank you, Avery.” I swallow the lump building in my throat. “Truly.”
