Page 39 of Room Ten: Put on a Show

A pause settled over the room. Finally, someone had put a label on what was happening here.Kenna dating the three of us.It sounded good. It sounded right. But it sounded like a precarious, delicate balance, too.

Kenna crossed her arms. “Celebrities do crazy things all the time. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“People like Perry Weeks will have a problem with it,” Baron said. “They will seek to control you. They will try to destroy your career because you’re sleeping with three men and they don’t think it’s right. It could put you in more danger.”

She shrugged and stepped between Baron and Merrick, looping her arms into their elbows.

“But I’ll have you to keep me safe.”

It was foolishly optimistic. On the other hand, Kenna had founded her entire career on foolish optimism. She sang her heart out on that street corner for years until someone finally believed in her. Even when her own father refused to speak to Kenna, she continued to sing, to pursue her dreams no matter how many times she was toldthat’s impossibleandyou’ll never have what it takes.

“What about you?” Merrick asked, fixing his gaze on me.

“Won’t you catch heat at The Royal Scoop for dating Kenna?” Baron asked.

I shrugged and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

“Maybe. No one expects me to conduct myself in a professional manner though. I’ve been cutting corners and greasing palms under the table my whole career. And if I get fired, well, I’m a writer. I’ll adapt, like I always do. Besides, you could use a writer on your side to handle the public when they get bloodthirsty.”

Kenna stifled a yawn and snuggled against Merrick’s shoulder with a sleepy little smile.

“So, that settles it. We’re officially together.”

“Someone should probably tell CeCe,” Merrick pointed out. “As your manager, she’ll need to know what she’s getting into.”

“I can handle CeCe,” Kenna said.

She wiggled under Baron’s arm, curling into his side.

“Don’t go plastering the good news all over social media yet, either, baby girl,” he said. “Let’s get these unwelcome guests out of the house first. And then you need some rest. You look like you’ve been through hell and back again.”

“But I’m too excited to sleep,” she protested.

Baron guided her to the door as he kissed the top of her head.

“Fine. I’ll rest and you can keep me company. How does that sound?”

“Will naked cuddles be involved?”

He chuckled. “Just be careful of my shoulder, sweetheart.”

After Baron and Kenna had slipped out the door, I met Merrick’s gaze across the expanse of the bathroom. I reached into the pocket of my jacket and held out a small black velvet box. Merrick arched an eyebrow.

“Isn’t Kenna the one you’re supposed to be proposing to?”

“Ha ha. Very funny. Will you just…take a look at it? And if you have any suggestions, I’ll get it altered.”

With a sigh, Merrick took the box and opened it. He went still and silent for so long that I was sure he hated it. Inside was a ring with three black onyx stones, clustered around a large, gleaming purple amethyst.

“After the shooting at the bar,” I said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without Kenna. And then I saw the way she looked at you and Baron and…I knew she needed both of you, too.”

Merrick didn’t say anything for several long seconds. I shifted in place, trying not to fidget. At last, he finally gave a nod of approval and closed the box with a reverent, gentle touch.

“It’s perfect, Troy. She’ll love it.”

A bubble of relief swelled in my chest. That was high praise coming from him.

“You really think so?”

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