Page 60 of Counterfeit Connection

“Marilyn has been with me for about three years. She’s quite taken with her dad.”

Dad? What the fuck did I just say?

“Dad?” Alyssa quizzes.

Griffin laughs. “It’s a trial run for children.” He winks.

“Wow. Already having those conversations? Anything you’d like to announce?” the reporter digs.

“No. Of course not. If there was, we’d talk to our families first,” I say sharply, without meaning to sound so curt.

“Of course, Kaitlyn. However, I hear you’re on your way to stay with your family. You can see how one could make that leap.”

“We are simply going to visit family. I don’t think there’s anything else you could read into that.” I glance at Griffin and decide to lean in and lay it on thick. “Unless this one here is planning something special that I’m not privy to.”

He smiles. “I plead the Fifth.”

Alyssa’s eyes go wide. “Well then, if you don’t mind, I’ll set this to record and we can get started formally with the interview.” She holds up her phone and presses the big red button once we both agree. “Let’s start with something easy. How long have you two known each other and how long have you been together?”

“It seems like forever, doesn’t it, darling?”

Here come the pet names.A little thick, Griffin.

However, I play along. “It does. In calendar days, it’s not as long as some might think, but when you know something works, time doesn’t matter.”

Alyssa smiles, but moves on. “So you’re an attorney. I hear you just left your existing firm. Is it true you’re now mixing business and pleasure and have become Orion’s newest member of council?”

“That is true. I’m lucky I can spend time learning about the Shaw family business and hope I can contribute in a meaningful way to help Griffin achieve his dreams.”

Print the shit out of that, Alyssa.

“The Shaw family, especially Griffin,” she nods in his direction, “is frequent fodder for the media in not so pleasing ways. How are you handling the online chatter about yourrelationship? According to the Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and Instagram feeds, you’re not a very liked individual.”

My heart sinks into my stomach. I try not to let her see my genuine response to this news because I haven’t been looking online… I didn’t know what was being said about me.

Thankfully, Griffin speaks up before I can. “The internet, and most tabloids, are cesspools. The things they say are nothing more than unhappy keyboard warriors with nothing better to do with their time, which is why we called you, Alyssa. We want a true, honest representation of our relationship to be front and center.”

“That’s very well said,” Alyssa replies. “I appreciate you putting your faith in me and our publication to do right by you both.”

The ride to the tarmac at JFK takes longer than I expect it to. I have a feeling it’s because I want out of this limo and finished with this interview as quickly as possible. This is the first time we’ve properly had to sell our relationship directly to someone asking one hundred questions. It’s overwhelming.

I need air…. and liquor.

The car rolls to a stop and Griffin gives my thigh a squeeze. I think he’s telling me I did a good job. Praise from him is something I didn’t know I’d enjoy, but I really, really do.

“Well,” Alyssa says as she stops her recording. “I hope you have a lovely trip and if any exciting relationship status changes come up, I hope to get the exclusive.”

She exits the limo first, climbing into an awaiting car of her own. I don’t have the energy to speak again until we’re on board Griffin’s private passenger jet. Basically, it’s a house that can fly in the sky. My eyes wander as far as I can see, and there is everything one could need for a short flight or one that would travel the world.

My body sinks into one of the ultra-wide seats with Marilyn on the floor at my side near the outer wall. She settles nearly immediately, but I can’t seem to. I’m never a nervous flier. I guess today is a change on many levels. Griffin and I are intentionally public with our connection. We’re meeting the parents, and most of all, I am now painfully aware of how much money is at stake. I should have known from the beginning. I tried to ignore it. Now it’s slapping me like a tortilla across the face.

“Hey.” Griffin tenderly touches the top of my hand as he stands at my side. “You look pale. Are you all right?”

I take a deep breath then let it go. “Shit just got real is all.”

“Are you all right with that?”

I look his way and there’s something about his face, his presence, that settles me, so I nod. “Yes, I’m all right with that.”

---