Page 10 of Playing with Temptation

She nodded solemnly. “Always a possibility. One we’ll make sure you’re prepared to handle in a way that won’t aggravate the situation.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It will be.” She smiled, hoping to reassure him.

“And the third strategy? Do I even want to know what it is?”

He knew her well enough to know she’d saved the option he’d like least for last.

“It’s time for you to come out of the Stone Age and start using social media.”

“C’mon, Kendra. I’ve got a crisis on my hands. You said so yourself. I don’t have time to mess around on social media.”

“The public is only seeing you through the filter of the news media and talking heads out there. Social media puts you in control of your own message, in real time. Your fans—and potential sponsors—will get a better sense of who you are.”

He shook his head slowly, thoughtfully. A marked improvement over the adamant refusal issued moments earlier. “The last thing I want is more people in my business.”

“I understand your reluctance. Especially in light of what’s happened. The reality is, they’re already in your business. This way you become the gatekeeper. You let them in, but in a way you completely control.”

Nate grunted. “Don’t really have a choice, do I?”

Kendra tried to hold back her grin. “Not really, but I promise to make it as painless as possible. I’ll actually be running the accounts for you, so it won’t be as much work as you’re imagining. Promise.”

He nodded reluctantly. “If you really think this is the only way we win, okay. I’ll do it. Anything else we need to discuss?” His posture was tense. As if he couldn’t wait to get her out of his house.

She tried to pretend it didn’t hurt that he wanted her as far away from him as possible. “Actually, there is something else we need to discuss. What’s the story on Stephanie Weiss?”

Nate frowned. “Marcus didn’t tell you?”

“He thought it would be better if you explained.” She shifted in her chair. “I gather you two were together at some point, or Marcus wouldn’t have been so cryptic about your connection.”

“Not one of my best decisions.” He tapped a finger on the countertop, staring beyond her. “Stephanie dragged me into the middle of a scandal back then that nearly ruined my relationship with my teammates. Now she’s done it again.”

“Exactly what happened with her?” She sighed when he narrowed his gaze at her. “If I’m going to help you, I need to understand what’s going on, and not just what I’ve read on the internet. I need the complete picture. We can’t afford to get blindsided again.”

An uncomfortable silence settled over them as he stared out the window onto the backyard. He didn’t want to talk to one ex about another.

She got that. She’d probably feel the same. Still, she needed to know more about this Stephanie Weiss. Beyond what she learned from watching her reports online and reading her bio. And if she was being honest, it wasn’t just her professional curiosity that needed to be satisfied. “Did you love her?”

He scowled, the corners of his mouth pinched. His resentment of the question rolled off him in waves. His answer was quiet, but emphatic. “No.”

Kendra went to the coffee machine and refilled her cup. She held her hand out for his. “You don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings. I’m a big girl. I can handle the truth.”

“I told you the truth. I wasn’t in love with her.” He thrust his empty cup into her hand. “We were only together a few months. What difference does it make, anyway?”

“Helps me understand her frame of mind. If we’re dealing with a woman scorned nursing a vendetta, we need to stay two steps ahead of her.” She returned the mug to him, filled with black coffee.

“That’s the only reason you want to know?” He peered at her over the rim of his mug as he took a sip of his coffee.

She returned to her seat and tapped a few keys on her computer, waking the screen up. “Of course.”

He smirked, unconvinced. With good reason. She was lying through her teeth.

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