로그인BRONWYN
"Ms. Larkin? This is David from Boston Business Journal. I'm doing a feature on women in marketing and I'd love to include you."
"I'm not interested in press right now."
"This isn't about your personal life, I promise. It's about your professional accomplishments, the Morrison campaign specifically." He paused. "Though if you wanted to address the recent publicity, it would give you a chance to control your own narrative."
BRONWYNThree months passed in a blur of building and planning and healing.The Boston firm approved my proposal to open a Pinehaven branch with me as director. I spent weekdays in Boston managing the transition and weekends in Pinehaven scouting office locations and building a local client base. Trenton's connections helped, he introduced me to business owners and developers who needed marketing consultation, and slowly I built a reputation separate from being "Trenton Rhiggs' girlfriend."The media attention faded as new scandals emerged to capture public interest. Occasionally someone would recognize us at restaurants or comment on the age gap, but mostly people moved on to caring about their own lives.Eudora and I had coffee every few weeks when she visited from New York. The conversations were still sometimes awkward, still navigating the weird territory of best frie
TRENTONMy phone rang as we left the hotel. My boss Sarah."Bronwyn, I just watched the press conference.""And?""And I owe you an apology. You handled yourself with grace and professionalism." She paused. "The board wants to meet with you when your leave is over. They have a proposal.""What kind of proposal?" I asked, tucking my bag over my shoulder."The kind that involves a promotion and a new position." I could hear the smile in her voice. "We'll discuss details next week but suffice to say, we're impressed."After she hung up I stared at Trenton in shock. "They want to promote me.""Of course they do." He pulled me close. "You're brilliant and they'd be idiots not to recognize that."---The following weekend I drove to Pinehaven with my stomach in knots. Tonight was th
BRONWYN"I'm willing to try."Those four words echoed in my head as Eudora and I sat across from each other in the coffee shop. She was willing to try and I was so thankful for the chance."I don't expect things to go back to how they were," I said carefully. "I know I broke your trust.""You did." Eudora's voice was steady. "But Eleri made me realize something. My mom would have wanted Dad to be happy. She told him before she died that she didn't want him spending the rest of his life alone.""He told you that?""Not directly. I heard them talking one night when she was in the hospital." Fresh tears filled Eudora's eyes. "She made him promise to live, to find joy again, and not let grief consume him."I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "I'm not trying to replace your mom.""I know that now." She squeez
BRONWYN"Ms. Larkin? This is David from Boston Business Journal. I'm doing a feature on women in marketing and I'd love to include you.""I'm not interested in press right now.""This isn't about your personal life, I promise. It's about your professional accomplishments, the Morrison campaign specifically." He paused. "Though if you wanted to address the recent publicity, it would give you a chance to control your own narrative."I looked at Trenton who was watching me carefully."Let me think about it," I said."Of course. My number is—""I have it. I'll call you back."I hung up and stared at Trenton. "A reporter wants to interview me about work. He says it's not about us but offered me a chance to address the publicity.""Do you want to?""I don't know." I sat on the
BRONWYNI woke up wrapped in Trenton's arms, sunlight streaming through my apartment windows. For a moment everything felt perfect and normal, then I remembered today was the day I had to face Eudora.My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I reached for it carefully, trying not to wake Trenton.It was an email from my boss and the subject line was: *We need to talk.*My stomach dropped as I opened it.*Bronwyn, the board has requested a meeting regarding your position with the firm. The publicity surrounding your personal life has created concerns about client relations and company image. Please come to the office at 10 AM today. This is not optional.*My worst fears were coming true. My hands shook as I made to drop the phone and am abrupt movement by my side from Trenton made me jump."What's wrong?" Trenton's voice was rough with sleep.
TRENTONI hung up before she could argue and drove straight to Boston, ignoring calls from Brilliana and Jericho and half the board. They could wait. Bronwyn couldn't.But first I had one stop to make.Bronwyn's parents lived in a modest house on the outskirts of Pinehaven. I'd driven past it a hundred times over the years, never imagining I'd be standing on their porch asking permission to date their daughter.Allegra Larkin answered the door, her expression cooling when she saw me."Mr. Rhiggs.""Mrs. Larkin. I was hoping to speak with you and your husband.""I'm not sure that's a good idea.""Please." I kept my voice respectful. "Five minutes."She studied me for a long moment before stepping aside. "James is in the living room."James Larkin stood when I entered, his handshake firm but







