“What? No. Devon, you can’t be anywhere near that mess.”
She blinked at him, her thoughts racing too fast to focus even while going over everything Dara had just told her. “What?”
“Sweetheart, you’re not thinking clearly. You know I’m right. Text Dara back and tell her to go without you.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Devon—”
“My dad is critical a-and the woman in his car died. My mom—”
“Has her sister and friends and your sister to help her cope. You get involved and you will create an even bigger media storm than there already is because of him hitting Oliver Beck.”
She shoved herself off the couch and paced across the floor to stare out at the street. The sun had fallen and lights glittered, traffic buzzed with typical fervor, and Ted’s reflection in the window behind her left Devon feeling shredded—and selfish.
Why couldn’t she have had one day to enjoy the moment? An evening to celebrate? “I know it’s going to be a mess,” she said, turning to face him, “but I have to go.”
“I’m telling you to stay.”
She gaped at him, blinking twice before finding her voice. “You’re telling me?”
He had the grace to look embarrassed by his choice of words. “Begging? Whatever the word, I am. Devon, please, don’t get mixed up in that publicity nightmare.”
“I’m certainly not happy about the circumstances, but he’s still my father. Ted, my mom will need all the support she can get when she finds out about this. And God forbid, but what if Dad doesn’t make it?”
“You can still be there for her. For them both. Call, video chat, text. But don’t screw up your career and all your hard work by getting linked with that.”
“I’m already linked,” she said, incredulous at his response. “You know it’s only a matter of time before my name is out there. Dara is stopped all the time by people thinking she’s me. Even if I’m not there, the connection is.”
Ted wiped a hand roughly over his face. “You would have to have an identical twin. For the love of… What a disaster.”
“Yes, well, surely you realize my mother is the one suffering the worst? We’re just snow in the avalanche.”
Ted shook his head, muttered a curse, and stalked across the room, not stopping until he stood toe-to-toe with her.
“Devon, I know you’re hurting and scared, but this impacts me, too.”
“I know,” she said softly, regretfully. “I’m sorry. I really am. I know how hard you’ve worked to steer clear of any sort of scandal, but it’s not like I had or have a say in this.”
“But you do.”
“I don’t!”
He ran both hands over his hair in frustration, mussing his otherwise perfect look.
Ted was a handsome man. A Kennedy-esque golden boy who’d quickly moved up the city’s political tiers. Next stop, state senator. Then on to more—if he kept his golden boy image.
“This certainly isn’t how I thought tonight would end.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t the way my father and mother thought things would go for them either,” she said dryly.
Usually Ted was good-natured. Kind. Smiling. Willing to jump in and help any good cause.
But now he looked perturbed and annoyed, and there wasn’t much she could do about it without betraying her family in the process. “Ted, instead of avoiding this, why don’t you come with me? Show your support as my… fiancé?” she said, holding up her hand and the stunningly beautiful ring. “I’d love to be able to officially introduce you to my family. We’ve certainly waited long enough. They ask about you in every conversation.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She hated that their night had been ruined. Hated what she saw happening. Did he regret asking her to marry him? “It’s our anniversary. We just got engaged! Please, come with me. If something happens to my dad… I’d like it if you were there for me.”