Page 34

“Well, you're in it.”

“What?” I ask, puzzled.

“There are pictures. Of you and Wren. In your car some nights ago.” Her voice has that tone of half concern, half fascination. “You're holding her, dad.”

I feel a cold dread settling in my stomach now. “What?”

Wren's phone starts buzzing. She checks the screen and her face goes pale.

“Talia,” she mouths to me.

“Check your email. Now.”

I hang up and swipe open my inbox.

The headline punches me in the gut.

SECRET LOVERS? CEO WREN SINCLAIR CAUGHT CANOODLING WITH MYSTERY MAN.

Wren's voice is tight. “What pictures?” A pause. “When? How?”

Another pause. “I'll be there in twenty.”

She hangs up, her eyes wide with panic.

“Someone got photos of us. In the car. Last night.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “They're saying we're... together.”

“Damn it.” I grab my phone. Jen has sent me other gossip site links about the news. I open another.

There we are. The images are grainy, taken through the rain-streaked window of my car, but clear enough. Me holding Wren against my chest. My lips pressed to her forehead.

My jaw clenches as I read the headline: “HOLLYWOOD’S MOST PRIVATE BEAUTY QUEEN'S ROMANCE UNRAVELED: Who Is Wren Sinclair Hiding?”

My mind is racing. This is bad. Very bad.

“I'll take Eric to school,” I say. “You get to the office.”

She nods, already moving, grabbing her bag, and her keys.

“Mom?” Eric's voice is small. “Are you okay?”

She stops, and kneels in front of him. “I'm fine, baby. Just busy with work. Sean's going to take you to school today, okay?”

He nods, those big brown eyes so serious.

Twenty minutes later, I'm helping Eric out of my car in front of his elementary school. His superhero backpack looks too big for his small frame.

“Uncle Sean?” He tugs on my hand.

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Is my mom in trouble? The kids at school say bad things are happening to her company.”

Christ. My heart twists for this kid. For Wren.

“Your mom's company is doing great,” I say, crouching to his eye level. “Sometimes grown-ups say mean things about each other. But your mom is smart and strong. She's just busy making a new product that's going to help a lot of people.”

He studies my face, looking for any hint of a lie. “Promise?”