Page 14 of Where the Little Birds Are (Little Bird Duet 2)

I smack the phone down onto the table harder than I intend. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but my name is being used to bring somebody else down. Someone, might I add, who doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment. Shouldn’t my reputation be your concern?”

Nobody says anything.

I turn back to Eddie. “I’ll say it again. I want to talk to Kinley. Now.”

He scrubs a palm down his face and rolls his shoulders back. “Think about this before you make an irrational decision. Do you truly think that reaching out to her is in her best interest?”

I scoff. “Do you even care about her best interest? It seems like you don’t.”

“Frankly, I’m not paid to care.”

Nostrils flaring, I know he’s not wrong. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to fight for her. She’s strong and can speak for herself, but I’m just as much to blame for this shitshow as her. She doesn’t need to go about it alone, especially not when Lena has become involved.

“I’m not being irrational.”

He straightens his spine, giving me his typical I know best look. “The last thing you need is press surrounding your personal life right now. You told me that you wanted privacy until things between you and Lena are figured out. If word gets out that you’re reaching out to another woman while married to someone else—”

“Soon to be divorced,” I remind him.

“Until she signs those papers we got drawn up, you better get a different perspective,” he states firmly. “I know you may find this hard to believe, but the world doesn’t give a flying fuck if you’re separated or not. Legally, you’re married. The press is already set on believing that you cheated whether it’s true or not. I’m here to make sure you don’t ruin your reputation.”

“Isn’t my reputation already shit?”

He eyes me. “I’m not your father—”

I bite out, “Then stop calling me son.”

“I’m just here to do what I was hired for,” he tells me blandly. “That means you’re going to sit down, shut up, and listen to what I’m about to say. Understand?”

My jaw ticks.

“Good.” He leans back. “The movie trailer is set to release on New Year’s Day. I’ve already spoken to Buchannan and a few others who informed me the love triangle will be clearly represented. Those who read the book knows there’s cheating, and those who haven’t will see it for themselves come January first.”

Shoulders tightening, I begin piecing together his point. “You want me to act like this is a promotional stunt for the movie to garner attention.”

Quiet murmurs of praise sound around the room. I drown them out and watch Eddie shrug like it’s a simple plan. People know the ins and outs of promotion though. It’s no different than proposing leading co-stars date, which I’ve found myself forced into doing before I got married. That only works in certain situations. It’s a stretch to think it would be successful here.

“All I’m asking is that you keep to yourself and let me do my job. Let the people believe what they want and don’t feed into it.” He gives me a knowing look. “That means staying away from Kinley Thomas, especially while you’re still married to Lena. I don’t give a damn what you do with your life after the divorce is finalized, just hold off on making rash decisions until then.”

And when will that be?

Lena and I talked in detail about going through with the separation a long time ago. Neither one of us loves each other like we used to, and even that love has been partial at best. When I visited her in Greece, our plan was rehearsed. We’d tell her parents that we were separating. Her father would rejoice. Her mother would curse me out. Her cousins would comfort her.

I was willing to be the bad guy.

For her.

For me.

For us.

But Lena changed her tune. She’s had the paperwork for well over four months now and keeps dragging it out without telling me why. Every time we meet to go over it, she puts on a show for the cameras who follow us like there’s nothing wrong.

“You care about her?” he asks.

He doesn’t say who.

He doesn’t have to.

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