Hayden didn’t bother answering him.

Travis’s requests were always rhetorical.

Right as I was about to tell Travis that he deserved to get his ass beat—that a part of me was happy his ego received a healthy dose of defeat, Hayden clasped my hand.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get out of Vegas.”

“Thank you, Hayden.” Travis shot me a ‘Fucking try me’ look as we left.

Hayden held onto my hand until we made it downstairs and through the waiting press. He led me over to a waiting town car and pulled me into his lap once the doors shut.

“We’re really leaving Vegas tonight?” I asked. “Just because he said so?”

“Fuck no,” he said, smiling. “We’ll stay here as long as you want.”

“Promise?”

“Always.” He controlled my mouth with kisses until we made it back to the hotel suite.

For the next five days, he did everything in his power to make me forget all about tonight.

He ordered room service and explored my body—giving more than he took, holding me in his arms every time I collapsed from the pleasure.

Thirty-Six

Present Day

A week later

Hayden

“I hope that smile on your face is because you’re seconds away from handing over the last bulk of your apology letters, son.” Lawrence looked up at me from his desk Monday morning.

“It’s because I’m taking the rest of the week off.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “It’ll be nice to give the photogs a well-served break. Hand over the rest of the apology letters that I asked you for.”

“I’m taking Penelope to Bora Bora for a few days. Then we’re going to Aspen.”

“I don’t care.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Letters. Now.”

“I’ll need you and Sarah to keep me up to date on the Tinder thing while I’m away.”

“The ‘Tinder thing’ is a multi-million dollar lawsuit and they are beyond determined to fry your ass this time.” He leaned back in his chair. “Would you like to write Mr. Lassing an apology letter to see if he’ll drop it?”

“I’ll consider writing his letter after I get back.” I smiled. “That’s when I’ll pen the others. I’ll see you then.”

“Hayden fucking Hunter.” He stood up from his desk as I walked away. “Hayden get back here right now!”

I made it onto the elevator before he could come after me.

When I made it downstairs, I slid behind the wheel of my car.

“How did Lawrence take it?” Penelope smiled at me.

“He was totally fine.”

“So, he’s mad as hell?”

“Yep.” I sped toward the airport, and she laughed. I clasped her hand behind the gear shift as I drove.

“I don’t want this to ever end, Hayden,” she said.

“It won’t,” I said. “This is just our beginning.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Thirty-Six (B)

Present Day

Hayden

* * *

 

Hayden Hunter Jets Away with Friend As Tinder Case Heats Up

* * *

 

Was Hayden Hunter Trolling Us with His Apologies?

* * *

 

Simon Gaines of the Simon G. Fund Under Fire for Alleged Fraud

* * *

 

Hayden Hunter Spotted at Private Aspen Resort with Friend

Thirty-Seven

PRESENT DAY

Hayden

Why didn’t we cross the line years ago?

Dating Penelope was the best thing I’d ever experienced in my life, and I now understood why she’d so desperately chased this euphoric high.

My days started and ended with her taste on my lips, her laughter against my chest, and conversations that I never wanted to end.

Our nightly strolls through Central Park were slowly trickling onto the smaller gossip blog sites via “Is Hayden Hunter Dating His Best Friend?” and “Is it Me, or Are They A Bit Too Close in These Pics?” type of posts, but there was nothing more.

And I honestly didn’t care.

I was in love with her.

Occasionally, she’d still say, “Please don’t ever hurt me,” and “I don’t have anyone else if I don’t have you,” when we spoke for a little too long, but I was determined to make her never worry about us breaking up again.

Armed with roses and wine, I stepped out of my car and walked up the steps to her brownstone. I wasn’t sure what came over me this afternoon, but I’d gotten up in the middle of a meeting and headed straight toward her side of town.

Walking into her kitchen, I pulled out a few wine glasses. Then I checked to make sure the catering would arrive before she came home from the rink.

As I was rinsing off the stems, Tatiana cleared her throat.

“You want to join us for dinner?” I asked. “I ordered Italian.”

“No, I’ll pass. I’d rather know how the fuck you live with yourself.” The harshness of her voice made me turn around.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard what I said.” She glared at me from across the room. “Are you happy holding Penelope back? Do you get some sick thrill out of it?”

I think I liked you better when you hated Penelope. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”

“It must be nice to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted in life, huh?” She continued her one-sided conversation. “I bet you don’t have any regrets because the world laid out the red carpet for you, and you’ve never had to face anyone ripping it from under your feet.”

“You know, I vaguely remember you playfully swinging a bat at Penelope’s knees at a competition years ago,” I said. “Do I need to find that video and blackmail you into talking like a normal person again?”

“I’m being serious, asshole.” She looked like she was on the verge of tears. “Bora, Bora, Aspen, Hawaii. What’s next?”

“The Dominican Republic.” I crossed my arms. “I invited you to join us for all these trips.”

“Yeah, and you purposely threw in little hints at your gala about ‘Twenty-seven still being great,’ right?” She shook her head. “I’m sure you thought that was a nice, warm touch. So, let me ask you something. When’s the last time Penelope went to the rink and worked with a client?”

I shrugged. I honestly couldn’t remember.

“When’s the last time she gave a speech or did anything outside of flying around the world and fucking you?”

I said nothing, unsure of where she was going with this.

“You know her better than I ever will—and everyone who’s ever been around you two knows that.” Tears fell down her face. “Which is why I don’t understand why you’re being so fucking blind about standing in the way of what she’s chased her entire life.”