Tempting Perfection

“Shit. How bad?” The tension returned to Kurt as he waited for an answer. Gossip columns could be brutal at times.

Harlem tossed the papers to Kurt, who laid them out on the table. I was shocked at how big the pictures of us were. The most prominent one focused on Kurt kissing me intimately in the middle of the club. The sexual tension was tangible. He looked at me, waiting for my response. Being in the spotlight was not something I was used to or necessarily wanted. But this was part of his life.

“At least it’s a good picture.”

Kurt smiled. “It is.”

I snuggled George, who was getting heavy, and leaned closer to the pictures. “What do they say?”

“They want to know who you are and what you mean to me.”

Kurt looked at me, and I smiled. Pulling out his phone, he took a deep breath. Then he dialed. “Sandy, I want you to issue a statement. I’m in a committed relationship with Sawyer Wade.” He paused and listened. “Yes, I’m fine with you mentioning she’s my PA.” Kurt looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded. “Yes, within the hour.”

“Okay, so the dog child has been returned. I’ve seen the papers. I think that’s everything.”

Sykes pulled out a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. “According to our color-coded schedule for today, we’re supposed to meet regarding the promo this afternoon an hour before we take off.”

“Aww, you’re using my schedule.” The guys were adjusting to a schedule, and I loved it.

Kurt pointed to me. “This is your fault. And now, instead of doing what I want to do, I have to do this color-coded shit.”

The guys disguised laughs with coughs. I leaned up and kissed him. “I’m going to organize your room. Your reward will wait.”

“Thirty minutes. That’s it.”

Chapter Nineteen

Sawyer

Kurt held my hand as we drove out to my parents’ house in my rented car. George was at the bus with Frank. My parents wouldn’t want a pet in their home. I was nervous bringing Kurt around them. Hopefully things would go well. It was a coin toss what mood my parents would be in. Cameron had called earlier to congratulate us. My brother meant everything to me. My phone rang, and I put the call through over the speakers in the car, smiling at the name on the display.

“Hey, Knoah. You’re on speaker.”

“Oh my gosh! Is what I’m seeing in the papers real? Did he finally man up?”

Kurt replied, “Hey, I resent that. But yeah, I got my head out of my ass.”

“Good. I wish I was there to hug you guys. Garrick told me not to call and meddle, but ya know…sometimes I’m not a good listener.”

I smiled, happiness filling every molecule of my body. “Thanks, Knoah. We’re about to tell my parents and see how they’re doing with the move.”

That morning, I had tried to call Mom to confirm about us coming. I’d confirmed everything with her before I left, but with Kurt coming, I wanted to check. Service was sketchy out at the house, and for the past week or so, I hadn’t heard much from them. Moving took a lot of time?

?I understood that.

“Tell your parents I said hello.”

“I will.”

I heard a knock on her side of the call. “I hate to cut this short, but I’m late for a meeting. I’ll call you later and we’ll for sure do girls’ time. Wine and pizza next time you’re in town. I’ll clear my schedule.”

Since Knoah had come back from Christmas break, she’d started working again at Shaw International. In some sense, she used work to cope with the loss of her baby. I hated that for her. Why bad things happened to good people was beyond me.

“Will do. Give Garrick hell for me.”

She giggled. “I will. I need to go. Miss you lots.”

“Miss you, too. Talk soon.”