Shelley Winters. Private profile, so whatever her profession, it seemed she wasn’t a woman who courted the limelight either. Ward didn’t even follow Lotus PR. But he followed Shelley because clearly she was important to him. An important, albeit thus far concealed, part of his life. Whom Hannah had just strong-armed into accompanying him to a very public event.

She winced.

My private life is off-limits.

Not anymore.

Chapter 56

WARD

Later that week, Ward sat on the plush sofa in the private shopping area at Bergdorf’s, where he and Shelley had agreed to meet Hannah.

He tapped his foot impatiently while his newfound plus-one giddily perused racks of clothing suggestions provided in advance by the personal shopper.

‘Hannah seems cool,’ she’d commented that morning after the encounter at Frank’s, as she and Ward had meandered down 72nd Street, sipping their respective coffees.

Having sobered up considerably – both due to the jolt of caffeine and the random run-in, he’d simply nodded and mumbled something non-committal. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it – he had too much to think about when it came to Hannah.

‘You never explained who I was back there. You wanted her to think that you and I were together, didn’t you? That’s why you didn’t say anything when she mentioned the awards thing.’

‘Forget it.’

‘No, seriously. I saw how you were with her. She’s a lot more to you than just your publicist, isn’t she?’

‘Shelley, I’m serious. Don’t go there.’

‘OK, but I still think you should’ve told her we weren’t together.’ She scoffed. ‘As if! Even though I’m kinda glad you didn’t, since it seems I get to play Cinderella for a night.’

‘Yeah, thanks for rolling with that. I really do need a plus one so if you’re sure …’

‘Are you kidding me? A free dress and a red carpet event? Do you even know how long it’s been since I got glammed up?’

Now in the store, he had to smile as Shelley gasped, gently caressing the soft embroidered sleeve of one of the tux choices. ‘Woah, now I know how Julia Roberts felt …’

‘I hate this stuff …’ he grumbled, wondering where Hannah was. She was running late. These days, she seemed to always be running late. Too distracted by Kendrick probably.

‘Oh, stop whining,’ Shelley chided, without looking at him. ‘And stop with the foot-tapping too, it’s annoying. She isn’t that late.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘No need to send out a search party.’

But Ward still felt uneasy.