Page 145 of A Naked Beauty

“The whole thing.”

“You can’t be serious. An event like this with you headlining means attendees with fat wallets. Bianca’s show will mean national and even global awareness for Papa’s Kids. What’s there to think about?”

“Just leave it with me,” I hedge. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Gotta go.”

“Alright,” he says in confused resignation, unaware of Dee and my new marital status. “Tomorrow then.”

I disconnect and toss the phone down onto the sofa. Shit!

It takes me longer than it should to enter the kitchen. Dee is adding the chicken and vegetable to the bowls, her ponytail swinging with the movement. I swallow hard and clear my throat.

“What can I do?”

“It’s all done.” She looks aside at me. “Everything okay?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You seem bothered.”

It amazes me how well she reads me, but I keep up the pretense. “I’m fine.”

Her radar goes off. She faces me. “I know thatI’m fine. I’ve said it often enough when it wasn’t true for me, either. Who was on the phone, Mick?”

“Let’s talk about it later.” I grab the bowls and bring them to the table, attempting to stall. To think. To figure out what to do.

Dee doesn’t move from her spot. “If you’re upset about something, we should talk about it now.”

“I’m not upset.”

“Don’t do that.” Her tone sharpens with irritation.

“Do what?”

“Shield me. That’s what you’re doing.”

My mouth opens in denial. But we’re past the lies and omissions. “It was Asher.”

“Your publicist?”

I nod and release a breath. “The Chicago Children’s We Care Foundation is having a fundraising gala next month.”

“They want you to attend?”

“Not just attend. They’re giving me an award.”

“The Generosity of Spirit Award?”

“You know it?”

“Of course. Wow!” She surges forward and throws her arms around me, her voice hitching with excitement. “That’s amazing! You so deserve this. You don’t just front the money, you give your time. Your heart. I’m so happy for you.” Then as if remembering how my admission had come about, she pulls back, her brows pinched. “Why didn’t you want to tell me?”

I look at her beautiful face. There’s no longer any pleasure in it.

“The award includes attending the gala dinner and doing an interview with Bianca Keller. At home. Broadcast across the country.”

“And you don’t want that.” Her hands fall off my shoulders and she takes a step back. “Because of me.”

“It’s not you, Dee. It’s the situation. How could I possibly give a speech and not acknowledge you or do an interview at home and pretend I’m single. That’s not even a consideration. But saying yes would mean exposing you and our relationship to the media and to the public.”

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