Page 13

Mackenzie

After dinner, the sound of dishes being washed in the kitchen fades as I follow Caroline down the soft, carpeted stairs to the basement. Levi’s gentle snores rise over the quiet hum of a paused video game on the screen.

I kneel next to him. “Levi, wake up. It’s time to go.”

He blinks, looking confused at first, then frowns. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” he mumbles, rubbing his eyes.

“It’s okay,” Caroline says with a warm smile. “You can come back anytime to finish your game, even if Mackenzie’s busy.”

Levi nods, still a little grumpy, but her kind words seem to help. I pick up his plate, which has swipes of lingering ketchup from his chicken fingers and fries she made for him.

We head back upstairs. Across the room, Theo is talking with Jim and Scott. Their faces look serious, and my stomach tightens.

When he sees us, Jim moves closer, holding his phone. “Mackenzie, we’ve got a problem,” he says. He turns the screen so I can see. It’s a live video from the security camera outside my flat. A crowd of reporters is milling around, three to four people deep.

My breath catches. “How am I supposed to get home?”

“There’s a significant crowd,” Jim confirms. “You can stay at the Fairmont tonight or…” He hesitates. “Theo has offered his place.”

I jerk back, shaking my head. Panic flares in my chest. “No. I can’t afford the Fairmont, and I’m not imposing on Theo.”

“Actually,” Jim counters, “EnergiFusion would cover the Fairmont for you.”

I whip around, shooting Theo a glare. He lifts his hands in mock innocence. “Mackenzie, I had nothing to do with this.”

I’m torn, caught between desperation and pride. Before I can come up with anything, Theo seizes the opportunity, turning to Levi with an easy grin. “Hey, buddy, how about staying at my place? There’s a pool.”

“Does it have a diving board? A slide?” Levi’s exhaustion evaporates in an instant.

“Both,” Theo reports.

“That sounds awesome!”

“Traitor,” I mutter under my breath, but Theo’s smirk tells me he knows he’s won. I exhale, trying to regain control of the situation. “Okay, but what about our clothes?”

“Leave that to me,” Caroline says, disappearing upstairs. A few minutes later, she returns with an armful of clothing, designer labels peeking through the folds. “We’re about the same size, right?”

“Uh, yeah,” I confirm, stunned by her generosity.

She then hands me a giant bag of makeup samples from her company and pulls out her phone, scrolling before placing a call. “Tiffany? Yes, I need a few things for a boy, size ten, including a bathing suit.” Then she glances at me, her voice lowering. “And also six lingerie sets. Your bra size?”

Heat crawls up my neck. My face must be as red as the wine we had with dinner. I take the phone from her hand, resigned but mortified. “Thirty-eight double-D. The Olga bras usually fit best.”

Caroline smiles, and Tiffany promises to take care of it all. I hand the phone back, and Theo’s smirk only deepens. I groan. This night just keeps getting better.

“Got it,” Caroline says into the phone before flashing me an easy smile. “They’ll have other options too. And please, send the bill to me.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she’s already thanking Tiffany and ending the call. I don’t know how to thank her, but it seems one thing is certain, I’m not going home tonight.

“You didn’t have to do all this.”

Caroline shrugs like it’s nothing. “It’s no big deal. You’re managing so much already. I’m happy to be able to help.”

She offers me the clothes she’s gathered, and just like that, we’re ushered into a sleek black car that soon glides through the night toward Theo’s place.

Sitting in the backseat, I feel relieved not to have to run the media gauntlet at home, but I can’t shake the sting of defeat. Relying on Theo isn’t how I wanted this problem to be solved, but he insists it’s about safety, not charity.

“You know I wouldn’t suggest this if it weren’t serious,” he says, his gaze catching mine.

I exhale and pull out my phone, typing a quick message to Georgia to explain the change in logistics. The driver will pick them up after school, and she’ll take Levi to our new destination.

Georgia: I saw the news. No problem. Levi and I will stay out of trouble.

Me: Thank you. And please don’t let Levi swim in the pool.

Georgia: I spent my summers in high school as a lifeguard if that’s helpful.

Me: Okay, but don’t push him to go swimming. Let him decide.

Georgia: Not a problem.

“Hey, Levi,” Theo says, breaking into my thoughts. “I’ve got a gaming console at my place. Ever played Madden?”

Levi’s face lights up. “Really? Awesome!”

Theo chuckles. “You’ll have to teach me. I suck at it.”

When we reach Theo’s building, there’s a similar scene to the one in front of my home. Complete chaos. Phillip reroutes us to the garage. We step out of the car, and the elevator immediately ascends to the lobby. Theo asks us to wait in the elevator as he walks to the concierge desk. Through the glass, I spot them—paparazzi clustered outside, cameras flashing like strobes.

“Simon,” Theo greets the concierge with a nod. “Mackenzie and Levi Davis will be staying with me for a bit.”

“Understood, Mr. Reed,” Simon replies, nodding to us in the elevator.

I clear my throat. “Levi’s nanny, Georgia O’Connell, will be picking him up from school tomorrow and bringing him here,” I call over my shoulder. “She’ll need clearance.”

Simon nods, jotting down the name. “Of course.”

Theo returns, and as the elevator doors slide shut, sealing us inside, I release a breath. The world outside is a frenzy—flashing lights, reporters shouting questions we’ll never answer—but this is a safe haven.

For now.

As the elevator glides upward, Levi tilts his head, peering up at Theo. “Is Simon who you call when you want cookies and ice cream?”

Before Theo can answer, I cut in with a firm, “Big fat no.”

I’ve seen the itemized bills that pass over my desk, the obscene charges for luxury services, each one a testament to Theo’s opulent lifestyle. “The costs in this building hit five figures a month, kiddo,” I add. The last thing I need is Levi getting used to indulgences I can’t afford or, worse, owing Theo more than just a temporary place to crash.

The elevator dings, and when the doors open, we step into the penthouse. The place looks familiar but different. It’s not the cold, fancy space I remember. Now, it feels warmer, more like a real home. It’s like someone changed it to match a side of Theo I’ve never seen before.

Levi dashes down the hallway to the bathroom.

“Did Caroline send you a bathing suit?” he asks, his tone casual as he glances around, as if searching for something.

“No,” I admit. The last thing I want to do is parade around in a bathing suit. No thank you.

Theo leans in. “It’s okay,” he whispers, his grin laced with charm and mischief. “Bathing suits are optional in my pool.”

I stiffen, caught off guard. Typical Theo—always pushing, always riding the line between teasing and trouble. But this isn’t a game, and I’m not some woman dazzled by his reputation. Especially not with Levi here. Speaking of which, it’s nearly ten. I need to get him in bed.

I stop myself from saying something I’ll regret. I won’t let Theo get to me. Instead, I take a deep breath. We’re not here for fun. We’re here because everything in our lives has changed, and Theo’s penthouse is the safest place for now.

I stand up straight and look Theo in the eyes. “While we’re here, I want this place to stay respectful. Levi doesn’t need to see different women coming and going all the time.” And neither do I . I’m not letting Theo think he can talk his way out of everything.

For a second, I can’t read his face. He just stares at me. Then he gives one small nod. He’s not agreeing, but he’s not arguing either.

“Got it. Levi comes first,” he says.

“Good,” I say. “And we won’t be here long. The press will lose interest soon. After all, I’m not a partner. I was only Justin’s executive admin.”

Before Theo can respond, the sharp chime of a phone sounds. He gestures toward a sleek black device resting on a console table. “That’s the house phone. When it rings, it’s the concierge.”

He strides over and picks up the receiver. “Yes? Send her up, please.”

My stomach twists. Her ? Heat floods my cheeks, indignation tightening my chest. An overnight guest? Already? “If you think I’m going to stand by while—”

The elevator dings, cutting me off, and I whirl toward it, bracing myself for a confrontation. My pulse pounds in my ears as I prepare to grab Levi and leave.

But instead of a woman dressed for seduction, a clothing rack rolls into view, followed by a stylishly dressed professional woman pushing it.

I blink.

Theo smirks, his amusement barely contained. “Everything okay?”

“Fine,” I snap, more out of reflex than actual anger. “I just didn’t expect she’d deliver clothes tonight.” As my heart slows, I feel a little embarrassed. I was ready for a fight. Staying at Theo’s place won’t be simple.

Tiffany Morgan introduces herself and shakes my hand. “I brought a few things for you and Levi,” she says, unzipping a garment bag.

“Look, buddy,” I say as Levi reappears. “Swim trunks!”

He smiles when he sees them, bright blue with sharks on them.

“You can wear them tomorrow with Georgia,” I tell him. “If you want to. Do you like to swim? Do you know how?”

“Yep! I’m swimming with Georgia!” he cheers, grabbing the trunks.

“But first, pajamas,” I say, holding up a set Tiffany has just laid out.

He doesn’t look as excited.

“Come on, champ,” Theo says. “I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”

Levi nods and follows him down the hall, leaving me alone with Tiffany and a bunch of fancy clothes that feel too much for my life right now.

“Agent Provocateur,” Tiffany says when she sees me looking at a piece of lacy fabric. “That style looks great on curvier women.”

I feel my face warm at her words, but I can’t help noticing how well made the pieces are as I run my fingers over them.

“Those would look amazing on you,” Theo says.

I jump. I didn’t hear him come back. I take a deep breath and keep my face calm. “Thank you, Tiffany,” I say, accepting her card. “This is…very generous.”

“Happy to help.” She smiles.

Theo, always the show-off—or maybe just liking a chance to flash his money—pulls out two crisp hundred-dollar bills and hands them to Tiffany. She takes them politely and thanks him, but as she departs, she adds, “Tips aren’t necessary, Mr. Reed.”

“Drink?” Theo asks as the elevator door closes, nodding toward the shiny bar cart with glass bottles and fancy decanters.

“No, thank you,” I say. My head is already too full, and I had wine with dinner. I need to think clearly, not make things fuzzier with more alcohol.

Theo directs me to Levi’s room, and I walk upstairs, my thoughts spinning. I find Levi tucked under the covers, sleeping peacefully. I feel a rush of relief. At least he’ll rest tonight.

“Your room is over here,” Theo says when I reemerge. He points to the next door down, across the hall from his room.

He picks up the shopping bags Tiffany left behind and transports them into my temporary space.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Goodnight, Mackenzie.”

“Goodnight, Theo.”

I close the door behind him. The room is beautiful and fancy, but it doesn’t feel like mine. Levi and I will share the bathroom that connects our rooms. That feels comforting somehow.

I sit on the edge of the bed. My body is tired, but my thoughts won’t slow down.

I put on the sleep shirt Tiffany brought for me. The fabric is soft, a small comfort in this very strange day. The guest room is too quiet, too perfect. But I do my best to pretend it’s just a normal night, that nothing is wrong.

Tired, I walk into the bathroom. It’s clear Theo thought of everything, though I don’t know when he had the time. My favorite face wash is sitting on the counter. Next to it is the vanilla and jasmine perfume I always use.

My stomach twists. How did he know?

Even the toothbrush and toothpaste are the exact kind I use. The care he put into this unsettles me. Theo pays attention. He remembers. It feels personal, almost too personal.

I take a deep breath and start washing my face. The cool water feels good, like it’s cleansing away the stress, the questions, and the weight of the day.

I emerge from the bathroom, and then, just as I turn off the light, a message from Tabatha appears.

Tabatha: Sorry about today. Crazy at the office.

Me: Thanks. I had press at my house, so I’m staying elsewhere for a bit. Let’s catch up soon.

Her response is immediate—a simple heart emoji that somehow eases the tightness in my chest.

Then another notification shifts my focus—a text from Dad.

Dad: Is work safe for you?

Me: Work is safe. The press is camped out at my place, so Levi and I are staying in a friend’s guest rooms. We have security courtesy of EnergiFusion. We’re all good here.

Dad: Ellie’s in rehab in Malibu.

A wave of feelings hits me all at once, but that has to be a good thing, right? I feel a little hopeful about Levi’s mom. I remind myself to tell Levi in the morning. He needs some good news after everything he’s been through.

The bed feels too good to resist, and I don’t fight it. As soon as my head hits the pillow, sleep takes over. For a little while, everything fades away, even the things I don’t have answers for.