Page 26 of Size King

“That sounds about right,” he says.

“They’re not talking about you as much as they were before, and when they do, it usually redirects right back to Sarah and the men she screwed over,” I say with a hint of satisfaction. “We’ve really played this all nicely.”

“You really are incredible,” he says with awe.

“Of course, there are still some loud, vocal skeptics in some markets, but it happens,” I say. “Not everyone on the planet is going to like you, and most people are jealous and angry at rich people no matter who they are.”

“That sounds about right,” he says again with a laugh.

“As far as what our next move is, I think right now we just have to do what those paparazzi outside your house do: sit and wait. Giving the press that info on Sarah is the greatest move we’ve made. She’s falling apart organically, without any additional help from us.”

He sits there quietly for a few moments, scratching his chiseled chin with his fingers. He is pondering something, but I’m way off about what it is.

“Do you have any plans this upcoming Sunday?” he asks me.

I am surprised by his redirect, and I’m flabbergasted by his question at first.

“I’m not sure,” I reply, slowly remembering what he’d said before about Sundays. “Why do you ask?”

“I was wondering if you would come over to my grandparents’ house for dinner,” he says. “Nana’s making the best pot roast you’re ever going to have in your life, and Papa’s grilling vegetables. If you were down, we’d love to have you.”

“Do your grandparents know who I am?” I have to ask.

“Of course, they do,” he says matter-of-factly. “They want to meet the girl that’s been helping me out so much. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by them what kind of trouble I’m in. They know I’m not saving my own ass here. I’ve told them a lot about you.”

“Am I just ‘Kate Harly, PR superstar’ or am I ‘a girl named Kate that works for me that I like a lot’?”

“Which would you prefer?” he asks.

“I’m comfortable with either, really.”

“I’ll give you until Sunday to figure that out,” he says. “I promise there are no strings attached or ulterior motives here. I realize that we continue to play with fire, and we are inevitably going to get burned if we keep at it. But I like you. Sue me.”

“I don’t think I should sue you now,” I quip. “You’re already in a lot of trouble right now. The last thing you need is yournewPR girl to slap you with a lawsuit.”

We laugh at my playful joust, and I give him my typical beaming adoration.

“Yes,” I say to him like a smitten teenager. “I would love to come to dinner with you.”

* * *

“I’m notsure how I feel about going to dinner with Aiden, Lily.”

I’m out getting a drink with Lily after leaving work. After my meeting with Aiden had concluded, I held a few meetings with my PR staff, daydreaming the entire time, and then I called it a day. I’ve done all of my duties and my team is up to speed and working their tails off for Tech Wreck and me. Things are all going according to plan, and slowly but surely Aiden and his company’s image is turning around.

“This isn’t just some easy achievement, Kate,” says Lily with pride. “You’ve pulled Tech Wreck and its CEO out from a quagmire of debauchery and shit, and you’ve made them relatable victims. And you’ve gotten all that done in what, less than a week? Come on, you should get an award for this kind of work. Don’t be modest, girl. Be proud, and drink up, bitch!”

We clink our drinks together and I down my entire glass in one gulp.

“Damn, you owned up!” Lily laughs. “I knew you were going to dominate, Kate. You’re in your element.”

“Shucks, stop it. What’re you trying to do, take me home?”

“Hey, maybe I am,” she says, getting closer to me. “Remember those times we played gay-chicken when we were first getting to know each other? I miss those days.”

“Keep it in your pants, homie,” I say, smacking her lightly on the face.

“But seriously, Kate, in the amount of time it took you to save that whole goddamn company and turn their image around, most PR heads would still be storyboarding their overall plan. This is what’s going to make you rich like that billionaire.”