Page 35 of Size King

“How much paparazzi did you run into out there?” I ask her.

“In front of this building or my apartment building?”

“Both.”

“Well, I think I’m going to have tomove,” she huffs. “There were so many people blocking my way out of the garage that I almost ran some people over.”

“Yeah, it was nuts when I left, too,” I say.

“I could barely make it into the building here,” she continues. “When I got here, I had to fight my way through at least forty people—no joke—taking pictures and shoving microphones in my face. They were asking so many questions that I honestly couldn’t tell you what they were asking. It is all just about what my relationship is with you.”

I realize that I have an opening right there, and I can take it.

“I don’t think I can afford to leave here unless I know we have a plan,” says Kate. “That hungry press needs to be given something soon, or they’ll gnaw our legs off. We can’t keep getting hounded by hordes of people everywhere we go and where we live.”

“I agree.” I nod. “We’ll hold a press conference tomorrow. We’re not giving this thing more than twenty-four hours to fester. Tomorrow morning, we’ll fix this mess.”

“Do you haveanythingin mind of what we should say?” she asks.

“I’ve got some ideas,” I cryptically reply.

14

Kate

When I get to the ad agency, I’m informed that Todd, my boss, isn’t currently in. So, in a mad rush, I do what I have to do there, finish my tasks, and make my way out—where I will then stay at Tech Wreck until Aiden and I have made a decision on how to handle our press conference tomorrow. I feel safer near Aiden anyway.

I’m out of my office and nearing my escape, and then he appears. Todd is there from out of nowhere. He tends to do that when you want to avoid him.

“Morning, Kate,” Todd says.

“Good morning, Todd.”

“Where were you heading off to?” he asks.

“I need to get back to Tech Wreck.”

“Is that right?” he asks. “Anything on the agenda?”

“Yeah, you could say that.” I chuckle uncomfortably. “We… we’re preparing a press conference for tomorrow.”

“Why don’t we step into my office for a quick talk,” he says, not asking.

He doesn’t physically pull me in, but he gets close enough to me that he may as well have. I awkwardly meander into his office and he slams the door shut.

He stands there, livid and red in the face. He sighs, trying to retain composure.

“Todd,” I say. “I know that you’re angry, and I understand.”

“I’m not angry, Kate,” says Todd. “I’m furious. I considered firing you over the phone before you got in this morning.”

“If you want to fire me, Todd—”

“Don’t interrupt me,” he says angrily. “You and that Aiden Marx are ridiculous idiots that don’t care who you hurt. You’re makinguslook bad, Kate! It isn’t just this guy and his fucking tech company. It’s me—us—the agency!”

“This makesmelook bad, too, you know,” I say. “I don’t know what I’m going to say to my parents.”

“Worry about your personal problems elsewhere,” says Todd. “For what you’re doing to the integrity of this agency, I should fire you right now on the spot.”