Though Hannah wasn’t a hook-up, he mused darkly, resolving to call her first thing tomorrow and ask her straight up what the deal was. She wasn’t a puck bunny – or whatever the golf equivalent might be.

But mostly because this wasn’t just jealousy on his part.

Smarmy video stunt aside, Ward knew it in his bones that Kendrick was bad news. And for her own sake, Hannah needed to stay a million miles away from a dick like that.

Chapter 51

HANNAH

Rob sauntered into the apartment like he owned the place and made a big show of presenting her the flowers before shoving his hands in his pockets, a knowing smile on his face as he took in Hannah’s state of dishevelment.

‘Sleeping in this morning?’ he teased, all the while taking in the space and offering an appreciative whistle. ‘Nice digs. Very nice. Quite the bachelorette pad …’

‘How the hell did you get up here? The doorman …’

‘Is a huge fan,’ he interjected and yes, of course, she should have guessed that Rob’s charm ensured that the waters parted for him wherever he went.

Which presumably explained how he’d found out where she was living too. No doubt a quick call to someone in the New York office would have easily done the trick. Especially when the rumour mill had ensured that many in Lotus PR were aware of his and Hannah’s history …

Two years before, Rob had signed with the LA office after winning his first big Major and was looking for ways to boost his brand.

‘Less Rory McIlroy and more Grayson Murray,’ he’d told them, grinning. ‘I want to cause a stir.’

Hannah initially had no qualms about taking him on as a client. Blond and blue-eyed, Rob hailed from San Diego, and had that easy, laid-back Californian charm that wooed his fans (especially those of the female variety), appealed to sponsors, and made him a quickly revered figure on the PGA tour. He had charisma and star power written all over him and she’d been excited to be the person who propelled him to new heights.

Needless to say, that charm ended up working far too well on her too.

From the outset and by mutual agreement they’d decided to hide their relationship – it was not a good look, professionally speaking. Even though the agency didn’t have any strict company policies against dating clients, Hannah was deeply mindful that it was something you simply shouldn’t do if you wanted to be taken seriously.

Rob seemed happy enough to go along with her need for secrecy and, for a while, things felt comfortable and steady – they kept a low profile as a couple and simply enjoyed being in each other’s company.