If ESPN was the first to begin rehabbing Ward’s career and image, then all other outlets would jump on that bandwagon. Two things were for sure. Rob was going down … hard. But Ward was going to be OK. She was certain of it.

Zero to Hero overnight.

More than OK, she thought, heartened. He was going to get it all back – everything he’d been working toward, everything he wanted.

And deserved.

Chapter 66

‘So, Hannah, this whole mess … thanks for bearing with us while we figured things out,’ Wes, her Lotus NY boss, grimaced at her from the other side of his desk a few days later. ‘I know you have probably felt a bit … in limbo. I’m sorry about that, but I’m sure you can understand the firm’s position, considering.’

She nodded, determined to keep her chin up. ‘Considering …’ she repeated.

‘So, here’s the thing. It’s taken some back and forth and whatnot – lots of mixed opinions but we’ve decided we want you back on the job. What with this whole Kendrick thing, the agency has decided to part ways – we understand you are no longer involved with him, and count yourself in the ranks of what those other women have been saying. If you know what I mean,’ he stuttered, much to Hannah’s amusement. ‘Plus you were doing so great with McKenzie so we appreciate that maybe we were too … hasty in severing things. People are just loving him right now and with him getting back on the ice too, well, we want to harness all of that star power. And that’s where you shine.’

Hannah sat up a bit straighter in her seat. She had figured as much once Wes called her into the office. If they wanted to fire her, they would have done it over the phone and washed their hands of the matter.

‘I see …’

He smiled at her. ‘So, we’re good? All water under the bridge? Look forward and not backward? I really mean that, Hannah, you’re great with McKenzie, and if anyone can encourage him back with us, it’s going to be you. You get him. You understand what makes him tick. And honestly, he’s the type of guy Lotus wants to represent. He’s a good guy.’

That he was, and yes, Ward deserved all the good things that were coming to him now. But she knew that she couldn’t do what Wes was asking of her. She could win him back as a client, sure; all she would have to do was return one of his many calls. It would be as simple as that in theory at least.

But like she’d informed Bernie the day before, she truly couldn’t work with him anymore.