Page 28 of The Exposed Heiress

He shrugged. “Yes, well, I was introducing myself when you rudely interrupted.”

Leo shook his hand. “Sorry, mate. We’ll catch up soon.”

He led her through a doorway and said, “I’ve spoken with Peter Lake, so we can head out.”

“I haven’t seen much art.”

Leo said in a low voice, “That wasn’t the goal.”

He led her through the bar area and out the main exit.

The valet had his car in front.

Opening the door for her, he waited for her to slide in and closed the door. A photographer leaned close to the car and took several shots of her.

Leo started the engine and moved into traffic.

“That was horrible.”

He shifted and changed lanes to make a turn. “You grew up in the spotlight. Why aren’t you more comfortable fielding questions?”

“I’m fine in a photo shoot. But my family doesn’t usually interact with the media or the public. Quite honestly, my parents do most of the socializing. I prefer to stay in the background.”

He focused on the traffic. “We were at a private, invitation-only gallery opening. There wasn’t any media present.”

“Jessica Lake said we were flat broke. Her words.”

Leo ran a hand through his hair. “It’s the truth.”

She sighed. “She should have more civility than to point it out.”

He glanced at her. “You have to be willing to tell the Bolles story, or we shouldn’t bother making the rounds.”

Emma rubbed the back of her neck. “Unfortunately, everyone knows the story. A family with some talent around design is allowing mismanaged cash flow to crush them.”

”You might want to spin that a different way.”

She turned in her seat, “I don’t want to spin anything. If the truth can’t be told, then nothing should be said.” Her chest tightened.

He touched her thigh. “Let’s skip the auction and go to dinner at Pied a Terre.”

She couldn’t think with his hand on her leg. “I can survive another social event.” She might not be able to survive his touch.

Leo removed his hand. “It’s not about survival. It has to do with putting the right message out there.”

Desire wound through her body. “I can do that.”

He glanced at her. “Let’s practice. Pretend I’m an owner of a…shoe conglomerate. Tell me what’s happening at Francis Bolles.”

A flush crept up her neck. “We’re about to release our Spring collection. It has several glamorous pieces, but also has simple, traditional lines and fabrics.”

“I’ve heard you’re letting go a third of your staff.”

Her throat ached. “We have had to downsize.”

Leo slowed the car for a light. “You need to put it in perspective. You have to explain the why.”

She remained silent. She didn’t completely understand the why. Her father should have seen the financial issues. Instead he pretended everything was good. Is that what she was doing? Pretending that it would be fine.

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