Page 9 of Affinity

“That’s when Abbi moved here from . . . I’m sorry dear, with all that’s happened, I can’t remember where you’re from. I feel terrible.” Catherine gave a grimace-smile that let me know she really did feel terrible about not remembering.

Placing my hand on hers, I gave her a reassuring smile. After the morning I had, I could barely remember my name; I didn’t blame her for not remembering where I’d come from after only meeting me once. “I’m originally from South Carolina, but for the last four years I’ve lived in Louisiana and went to LSU.”

“That’s right. I’ve lost my head today with his shenanigans.”

“Hey, I wasn’t the only one there.” Reeves swung around to look at us. “Abbi is just as much at fault as I am.”

Catherine gave me a knowing look that said she didn’t believe it. Too bad I couldn’t tell her who was right. I saw the video, and I was as smitten as a kitten over him last night. Regrettably, the same couldn’t be said now.

“The point is if there’s anyone from the last month who can contest your story, stop stalling, Jenner, and be the good guy we know is deep down in there.”

Hurt flashed over his face before he turned toward the window and muttered, “None.”

That was good to know. I still wasn’t sure how we were going to sell that we were so in love after only a month, but that was for Catherine to spin, not us.

“Are you sure this is going to work? It doesn’t seem like enough time for us to fall in love.” I voiced my concerns.

“It’s going to have to work because we don’t have anything else to go on.”

Reeves turned to look at me with a smug look on his face. “Going by the video coverage, it didn’t take you long to fall in love with me.”

It didn’t take me long to fall out of love with him either.

“I’ll have movers pack your things from the address in your file and have it brought to Jenner’s house.” She typed on her phone as she talked. “I know you were supposed to start on Monday, but given the circumstances, I think I’ll give you at least a week to settle in. The paparazzi are going to be all over you if you leave Jenner’s house. Luckily, he lives in a gated community where they won’t be able to take your picture.”

“A week? I promise you, Mrs. Cole, that I don’t need a week. I can be at CJJ bright and early Monday morning, ready to work.” I pleaded to her with my eyes. I couldn’t be in the same house with Reeves for a week straight and not leave.

“I’m sorry, Abbi, but I think it’s for the best. You two created this mess, and now you’re going to have to live in it and,” she directed her gaze to the man sitting next to me, “I will not have you complaining for the next year. You’re going to have to learn to deal with the consequences because next time you might not be so lucky.”

Damn. That was harsh. I wondered if she always talked to Reeves like that. I wasn’t sure I was cut out for my job if that was the way I was supposed to talk to clients.

The car slowed as we came up to a gate, and a guard let us through. I hadn’t realized we were already back in LA. Since Jenner’s turn in life, I hadn’t thought much about him. When his name came up in a scandal or whatnot, I always thought it was a shame that he had lost his way, but that was it. Never had I entertained the idea of where he lived. Now, as I stared at all the mansions we passed as we made our way to his house, I was in awe. It made sense he lived in a gated community in Beverly Hills, but damn, was I out of my element. We hadn’t had much money after our parents died, nor when they were alive, but Paul and I made do. He did the best he could raising me, and I loved him for putting his life on hold so I could live in the same house I grew up in.

The limo pulled up to a sleek modern house with gray frosted garage doors. This was definitely not what I expected. With how douchey Reeves had been, I thought he’d have the biggest house in the neighborhood. Instead, it seemed to be one of the smallest. Not that it wasn’t nice or big, because it was. I couldn’t wait to step inside and see the rest.

My jaw hung open as Reeves held out his hand for me to take and helped me out of the car. It was a very gentlemanly thing to do and something I didn’t think he was capable of. Maybe there was hope for him yet. I stayed slack-jawed as we made our way up to the front door, where one wall was a water feature. It was beautiful and soothing, which was good. I was going to need all the serenity I could get.

Stepping inside, I was shocked to find the entire living area was glass, and I was able to see through the other side of the house where I spotted a pool in the backyard. I was pleasantly surprised to see how clean everything was. I guess I shouldn’t have been. It wasn’t like Reeves Jenner couldn’t afford a housekeeper.

The furniture was all brown leather and felt welcoming. There were rugs on the floor to dig your toes into and a piano in one corner.

“Do you play?” I nodded toward the piano.

“Not much anymore.” He eyed the piano as if it was his enemy as he strode into the kitchen. He picked up a remote off the beautiful white and black swirled marble countertop and clicked a button. Instantly, the glass walls started to move, opening up to the outdoors, and lights started to come on inside and out. The backyard turned a purplish-blue. It was gorgeous and mesmerizing, and I decided I wanted to spend all my time out there.

“Let me show you to the bedrooms, and you can take your pick.” Catherine’s voice jolted me out of my awe. I followed after her, leaving Reeves staring out at nothing. “I know this isn’t how you saw your life turning out, and I don’t know how you and Jenner met, but I want you to know he’s not as bad as he seems.” She rested her hand on my arm and looked at me with concern. “When he found out that Poppy was cheating on him, he spiraled. Please give him a chance to show you who he is when he’s not backed into a corner. He’s been burned one too many times and finds it hard to let new people in.”

I frowned, wanting to see the man who I’d crushed on all those years ago, but uncertain if I’d ever get the chance. “I have a feeling he’s going to see me as the one who’s backing him into that corner.”

She patted my arm before turning into a bedroom. “Give him time, and he’ll see what a good, kind girl you are.”

“How do you know what kind of girl I am?” I asked.

She smiled softly at me before she moved further into the room. “Paul has told me all about you, and after meeting with you for your job interview, I know in my gut that you’re not a gold digger after his money.”

“Thank you for believing in me. After waking up this morning, I thought I was going to be jobless.”

Catherine gave me a knowing smile. I wasn’t sure what it was about, but I wasn’t going to question my new boss that I hadn’t even started to work for yet.

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