Page 91 of The Encounter
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now can you please help me with clothes? I have no idea what to wear tonight.”
* * *
Jace pulledup to Maddie’s house and shut off his car. They were due to his parents’ place for dinner in an hour. He knew he was early, but didn’t think Maddie would mind him hanging around until they needed to leave.
He walked up to the front door and knocked. Kayla pulled it open only a minute later.
“You’re early!” she exclaimed. “We aren’t done getting her ready!”
He laughed and stepped into the foyer. “I know. I didn’t think she’d mind.”
Kayla tilted her head. “You’re probably right. I mean, I guess you’ve seen her in all states of undress, so…” she shrugged. “Follow me.”
He smiled. “I think I’ll hang out in the living room if she isn’t dressed yet.”
Kayla shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Then she sprinted up the stairs.
Jace made his way to the living room and sat on the couch. That morning’s edition of Celebrity Status sat on the coffee table. Since he began dating Maddie, he tried to read Samantha’s articles daily so he could run damage control, but he hadn’t seen this morning’s edition yet.
He picked it up and flipped it open, skimming until he found Samantha’s article. When he spotted it, his grip immediately tightened at the title, “Gold Digger Maddie”.
He skimmed the article and his vision tinged red the further and further he got. By the end, he realized he had crumpled the paper in his fists. He dropped it on the table and stood up, folding his hands behind his head and pacing while he took a deep breath.
Samantha had always been harsh on women he dated, but she had taken it to a whole new level. He worried she would spin things when she spotted them at the jewelry store, but she didn’t even attempt to find out the truth of what they were doing there before she spewed her hate for the entire city to read.
He pulled out his phone, intending to call her, but immediately dismissed the idea. Calling her right now would not go over well with how angry he was. It would only egg her on to continue. Plus, he was about to take Maddie out for a nice dinner at his parents’ place, and the last thing he needed was Samantha riling him up even more.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulled him out of his brooding just before Maddie stepped into the room. She wore a black sleeveless dress that molded to her body perfectly. It ended mid-thigh. His dick jerked in his pants and he swallowed back the desire to throw her down on the couch with the intention of never making it to his parents’ place.
“You look beautiful, doll,” Jace said, stepping over to Maddie and pulling her into his arms. He pressed a kiss to her lips, and she smiled up at him.
“Thank you.” Her eyes darted to the crumpled up tabloid that still sat on the coffee table. Her smile dropped, and she looked back at him.
“I just saw it,” he whispered. “I’m sorry she’s doing this. I’m going to talk to her.”
She only sighed and nodded.
Kayla walked into the room at that moment and clapped her hands together. “Okay, you two kids have fun!”
Jace looked at his watch. “We’ve got some time to kill.”
Kayla stared at him. “Okay, you two kids have fun!”
Maddie laughed. “She’s trying to get rid of us. Have a good night, Kayla.”
Jace chuckled. “All right. We’re going. Good night, Kayla.”
Kayla waved as they pulled their coats on and stepped out into the crisp air before shutting the door behind them.
Once they were settled into the car, Jace started it up and sat back. “We could head to my parents’ place. We’ll be a little early, but they won’t mind.”
Maddie nodded. “Okay.”
He studied her. Worry lines creased her face, so he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “Are you stressed about that article?”
She sighed and turned in her seat to face him. “I’m worried about what your parents will think.”
