Page 14 of Perfect Assumption

For standing tall and holding your head high no matter what can be thrown at you by those bastards—then or now. - BM

With trembling fingers, I put the card in my desk, knowing Beckett Miller just became an ally as much as Sula and Carys were. No judgment over what I’d done, no questions asked. Just support. Something I’d received from so few. Something that the media on one side or the other persistently tries to strip from me.

Back then, the people who believed in me couldn’t do anything, and those who didn’t turned away. Now, each time I let someone in, it creates a small crack in the armor around my heart that I’m not prepared to defend.

I’m not sure I can afford too many more before all my defenses crumble.

Like right now. Despite the fact he knows his presence irritates David to no end, Becks still rolled out of some bed and made the trek to check on me. I give him a real smile, something I so rarely do it stretches unused muscles in my face. “I am.”

“Liar.” But Becks’s smile takes away the sting of his words.

“I have to be okay, Becks. If I’m not breathing, I’m dying. And if I’m dying, they won.” I briefly let my lashes flutter shut. “In my heart, I still believe I did the right thing.”

“You did.” His voice is full of such conviction, it feels like a warm blanket has been wrapped around my cool skin.

“Do you ever think they’ll forget about me?” I wonder aloud. It’s my biggest fantasy.

He snorts. “I think there’s a bigger chance of me fathering Carrie’s next baby.”

“You are such a scoundrel.” I reach out and slap him on the arm.

He captures my hand between both of his tattooed ones, his head tipping to the side as he contemplates his answer. Finally he says, “Angie, if this was the time before social media and things like Timehops, TikTok, and all that crap, maybe. Your face might fade out of their minds. But now? Every year, gossipmongers are reminded of what they tittered about last year, the year before. Hell, even five, ten years ago.”

“Where were you when Angela Fahey’s accusations against the son of XMedia’s owner of sexual assault were proved to be unfounded?” I murmur aloud.

“Where were you when Beckett Miller was admitted into rehab for his cocaine addiction?” He recalls his latest negative tabloid sensation—the one that days ago had Ward in a tither.

Our eyes lock over our joined hands. “My beautiful friend, both stories are false. But to the media-hungry world, they’re in print.”

“Therefore they must be true,” I conclude sadly. “I’ll never understand how you do it every day.”

“Do what?”

“Go out there with such a devil-may-care attitude.”

Becks’s lips quirk before he turns to fully face me. “Probably because I listen to only about thirty percent of what they have to say about me.”

“Becks…”

“And when I land on the front page, I pay Carrie an epic amount of money to handle it for me. Unless it’s in good fun.” He winks before concluding, “Then I let it ride. Kind of like calling David ‘Dave.’”

I grin. “You’re a menace of a good man, Becks.”

He contemplates that before nodding. “I like the way that sounds.”

“You would.”

“Well, now that I’ve made sure you’re smiling,isthere someone for me to talk with?” His smile turns sheepish.

I prop my hand on my chin. “What did you get into this time? Or should I say who?”

“It’s a where, beauty. I was at Redemption. I might have deliberately slammed into some reporters on my way out last night.” He lifts his shoulders in a careless shrug that just shows off his custom-made suit. “They may have been holding recording devices.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“That I am.” When his true smile is aimed at me, I understand why half of the population of the globe would love to be in the position I am right now. Beckett Miller is just adorable.

“I’ve heard Redemption’s amazing.” I change the topic before Becks gets lost on listing his redeeming qualities.