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His hand squeezes mine right before he answers.
“It doesn’t need to make sense to anyone but us.”
“Does it bother you that so many people are invested in your personal life?”
Preston chuckles.
Me? I keep smiling.
As soon as we stepped off the dance floor, Preston warned me now that I was here, the media would make it their goal for the night to swarm us. Our best option to avoid raising any red flags would be to give each of them three to five minutes.
Of course, Annie, the Kings’ PR manager, appeared out of nowhere and is standing to the side, monitoring everything. She’s also limited it to four reporters, and this is the last one.
“I do think it’s odd that people are more curious about our lives and not the successful careers we have built.” Preston holds his hands out. “Or this charity event we are currently at.”
“So, you think your career is more important than your fiancée.”
“I didn’t say that. What I mean is, the companies we have helped build are more beneficial to others. What Sunny and I,” he clears his throat, “I mean Grace and I have personally doesn’t affect anyone but us.”
“Ah, so you think—”
“That’s all for today.” Annie steps in. “Why don’t you two go enjoy the remainder of the night?”
“Thank you,” he says and then guides me away from the area with one hand in mine and the other at the small of my back.
“How are you doing?” he whispers in my ear.
“Fine now. How do you remain so calm?”
“Years of practice.”
“That’s sort of sad.”
“Why?”
“Because of what you just said back there. Your personal life affects no one, so it’s sad they are always trying to butt into it.”
“They just want a story.”
“Oh, so now you’re defending them?”
“No.” He grins. “The lifestyle of the rich and famous has always been fascinating. I’m not some rare thing they want to know about; they only want to know me because I have money, and secretly, they want me to fail for that same reason.”
“And again, that’s so sad.”
“It is, but the attention is now on us as couple and not us as individuals. No one is talking about my lack of commitment, and no one is reporting doubts on the lodge. This is what we wanted.”
“I know. It’s all just so weird to me, but thank you for taking the lead on all that.”
“Of course. Do you want to stay, or should we go back to my—”
“Mr. King,” a man interrupts. Preston and I both give him our full attention. “Can I get a word with you before the evening is over?”
Preston nods. “Will you be okay on your own for a few minutes, Grace?”
I nod and smile. “I think I can manage.”
“Good. I’ll be quick.” He leans down to kiss my cheek and freezes when his lips touch my skin. He pulls back slightly, his lips hovering over mine. “I’ll be quick.”
