LITMIR.BIZ

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had taken well to at least part of the plan. “You’ll also need to talk about your philanthropy.”

      He frowned, his eyebrows forming angry slashes over his dark eyes. “The Johnston Family Foundation isn’t some cheap publicity stunt. I’m not looking to blow my own horn.”

      “I know, which makes the work you do all the more admirable.” She held up a hand, holding off the next wave of protest. “But just think how much more good you could do if you publicized the work you’re doing with wounded veterans and high-risk children from low-income families.”

      Nate stood and paced the floor. “Our clients have been through enough. They need someone to give them a hand, not someone else who only sees them as a means to their own end. No.” He shook his head. “I won’t do it.”

      Kendra inhaled deeply, then took a different approach. One Nate might better understand.

      “You don’t want to take advantage of your clients. I admire that. But if we can’t repair your reputation, you won’t be in a position to help them as much as you’d like.”

      He didn’t respond, but stopped pacing and rested his chin on his closed fist.

      “Besides, if more companies—including your current sponsors—were aware of the programs your foundation offers and the difference you’re making in people’s lives, they’d want to contribute. That means you’ll be able to help even more people. Isn’t that what you want?”

      “You know I do, but I won’t betray their trust.”

      “I’d never ask you to do that.” Kendra softened her voice. “All I’m asking is that you give them the opportunity to help themselves and others. I’m sure a lot of the families your foundation has helped would be eager to participate in a goodwill campaign to spread the word and increase funding.”

      Nate dropped into his seat, as if he were exhausted from a fight. “Fine. I’ll agree to some media coverage for the foundation programs, but I need final approval on anything we put out there.”

      “Absolutely.” She hoped he didn’t see how relieved she was. “Any other concerns?”

      “Yeah. What if the interviewers aren’t willing to stick to the script?”

      She nodded solemnly. “Always a possibility. One we’ll make sure you’re prepared to handle in a way that won’t aggravate the situation.”

      “You make it sound so easy.”

      “It will be.” She smiled, hoping to reassure him.

      “And the third strategy? Do I even want to know what it is?”

      He knew her well enough to know she’d saved the option he’d like least for last.

      “It’s time for you to come out of the Stone Age and start using social media.”

      “C’mon, Kendra. I’ve got a crisis on my hands. You said so yourself. I don’t have time to mess around on social media.”

      “The public is only seeing you through the filter of the news media and talking heads out there. Social media puts you in control of your own message, in real time. Your fans—and potential sponsors—will get a better sense of who you are.”

      He shook his head slowly, thoughtfully. A marked improvement over the adamant refusal issued moments earlier. “The last thing I want is more people in my business.”

      “I understand your reluctance. Especially in light of what’s happened. The reality is, they’re already in your business. This way you become the gatekeeper. You let them in, but in a way you completely control.”

      Nate grunted. “Don’t really have a choice, do I?”

      Kendra tried to hold back her grin. “Not really, but I promise to make it as painless as possible. I’ll actually be running the accounts for you, so it won’t be as much work as you’re imagining. Promise.”

      He nodded reluctantly. “If you really think this is the only way we win, okay. I’ll do it. Anything else we need to discuss?” His posture was tense. As if he couldn’t wait to get her out of his house.

      She tried to pretend it didn’t hurt that he wanted her as far away from him as possible. “Actually, there is something else we need to discuss. What’s the story on Stephanie Weiss?”

      Nate frowned. “Marcus didn’t tell you?”

      “He thought it would be better if you explained.” She shifted in her chair. “I gather you two were together at some point, or Marcus wouldn’t have been so cryptic about your connection.”

      “Not one of my best decisions.” He tapped a finger on the countertop, staring beyond her. “Stephanie dragged me into the middle of a scandal back then that nearly ruined my relationship with my teammates. Now she’s done it again.”

      “Exactly what happened with her?” She sighed when he narrowed his gaze at her. “If I’m going to help you, I need to understand what’s going on, and not just what I’ve read on the internet. I need the complete picture. We can’t afford to get blindsided again.”

      An uncomfortable silence settled over them as he stared out the window onto the backyard. He didn’t want to talk to one ex about another.

      She got that. She’d probably feel the same. Still, she needed to know more about this Stephanie Weiss. Beyond what she learned from watching her reports online and reading her bio. And if she was being honest, it wasn’t just her professional curiosity that needed to be satisfied. “Did you love her?”

      He scowled, the corners of his mouth pinched. His resentment of the question rolled off him in waves. His answer was quiet, but emphatic. “No.”

      Kendra went to the coffee machine and refilled her cup. She held her hand out for his. “You don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings. I’m a big girl. I can handle the truth.”

      “I told you the truth. I wasn’t in love with her.” He thrust his empty cup into her hand. “We were only together a few months. What difference does it make, anyway?”

      “Helps me understand her frame of mind. If we’re dealing with a woman scorned nursing a vendetta, we need to stay two steps ahead of her.” She returned the mug to him, filled with black coffee.

      “That’s the only reason you want to know?” He peered at her over the rim of his mug as he took a sip of his coffee.

      She returned to her seat and tapped a few keys on her computer, waking the screen up. “Of course.”

      He smirked, unconvinced. With good reason. She was lying through her teeth.

      “So, what led to this scandal and why does she have it in for you?” Kendra put down her mug, prepared to type her notes.

      “Do we really need to get into all of this? It’s ancient history.”

      “Not to her, I’m guessing.”

      “Stephanie was listening to my phone calls. Checking my text messages. She discovered a teammate of mine was in serious trouble. She broke the story using the info she’d gathered, saying it was from an unnamed source. When I read the story, I recognized what she’d done. Since we were dating, my teammates and the public believed I’d been feeding Stephanie information. I broke it off with her, publicly denied I was the source and discredited her story.” He frowned. “She was fired, and none of the top media outlets wanted anything to do with her.”

      “I’m sorry you ended up in the middle of it.”

      “Should’ve known better than to sleep with the enemy, right?”

      “Real journalists aren’t your enemy. They won’t always give you the glowing praise you want, but the good ones are honest and fair. They’re only interested in the truth. Those are the media personalities we need to make our allies.”

      “Good

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