Page 36 of Size King

“Then, do it, Todd.”

“You’re still going to see Aiden, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I confirm. “I’m headed there right now to fix things.”

“At this point, eventryingis pointless, Kate,” says Todd.

“Well, if we don’t try, we won’t know, will we?” I retort. “That footage is from days ago. Aiden and I have it under control now.”

He laughs doubtfully.

“I’m going to figure this out,” I say. “I’ve come far already.”

“Yeah, you have,” he says. That’s why this is fucking heartbreaking. I don’t know how in the world I can possibly get you more work after this.”

“I’ll worry about my future here after I fix things,” I say.

“I have no clue what route you should take,” he says. “I say there’s no way the two of you can reverse this. You look like a couple of horny teenagers that are unable to keep it in your goddamn pants! What the hell’s the matter with you two?”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

“You have forty-eight hours to have your mess completely cleaned up,” Todd says. “No exceptions, Kate. Fix this, or you’re fired.”

“It won’t need to come to that,” I assure him. “I’ve got this.”

* * *

I fightthrough another string of paparazzi when leaving the ad agency, and then again when I arrive outside of Tech Wreck. I don’t listen to their questions or their comments as I walk toward my destination, but I always notice when one of them says his name, Aiden. Aiden is worth the struggles, but I hope he actually has good ideas because I still have no direction.

When I get to Aiden’s office, Adam is in there with him. They look like they are in the middle of a heated discussion. I know it’s definitely about Aiden and me, so I feel like turning around.

“Hey, Kate,” says Aiden. “I’m glad you could make it back.”

“So, what is that thing you said earlier about job security?” I laugh.

“He didn’t fire you?” Aiden inquires.

“No, but he’s going to,” I reply. “Hi, Adam.”

“Hi, Kate,” he says in a weary tone.

“Adam, would you give Kate and me a few moments, please?” Aiden asks.

Adam gives Aiden a knowing look, and then he gives me a passing nod as he takes his leave, closing the door as he makes his exit.

“You want to have a seat?” Aiden offers. “I’d like to discuss my idea with you. It’s a bit wild and completely insane, and you can say no.”

“Let’s hear it,” I say with hopeful enthusiasm while I take my seat in front of his desk.

“We’ll hold our press conference tomorrow,” he says. “Right outside the building here. The press is already here, so we won’t have to gather anyone anywhere. We’ll do it early, so that the news can report on it all day and start erasing the bad publicity.”

“Okay, and what’ll erase the bad publicity?” I ask.

“Hear me out,” he says. “So, we’ll dress up, go to the press, appear smitten, and I’ll tell the world that I’m falling in love with you.”

I’m almost more flabbergasted by what he just said than by my sex tape.

“Hear me out,” he says. “We make up a story. Maybe we say you came in to interview for the job I eventually gave to Sarah, and even though I didn’t hire you, we started getting to know each other. That way, we’ve established a credible reason for why I’ve known you longer than like two weeks.”