The Hating Season (Seasons #2) - K.A.Linde Page 0,25

heard good things about you,” Penn said. “Court said you’re the best in the business. That you’re really keeping him in line. Glad that we have you working for us even if it takes you away from your life in LA. It takes a real professional to deal with Court.”

Our eyes met in that second. As if she couldn’t believe I’d said that about her. As if it couldn’t get more awkward than being complimented on her professionalism after what had happened between us. As if she couldn’t not look at me.

English cleared her throat and turned back to Penn. “Yes, well, not much of a life in LA anymore, to be honest. And… I’m always up for a challenge.”

As was I.

“Well, I should get back,” English said, nodding to Lark. “I just wanted to let you know that we have a break now that the primary is over. I’m going to figure out the plan of attack for the general election. We can go from there.”

“Sure, English,” I drawled. “Whatever you want.”

She nodded her head and smiled at Penn and Natalie. “Really great seeing you two again.”

The minute she was out of earshot, Penn rounded on me. “What is going on?”

I took a sip of my drink. “What do you mean?”

“Is there something going on between you and English?”

“No.”

She’d made it pretty clear that nothing was going on.

“Are you fucking your publicist?”

“Presently?” I asked sarcastically, leaning into it as a defense mechanism. “Nope.”

“Jesus Christ,” Penn said with a sigh. “Please don’t fuck this up.”

My eyes traveled back to English and the short black dress she was wearing. The heels that made her calves and ass look spectacular as she walked away from us. Walked away from me… again.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said with disdain. “I’m just a client.”

9

English

Leslie Kensington won the nomination.

And it felt damn good.

I understood in that moment why Lark was her deputy campaign manager. Why she put in the long hours and gave up sleep and food and time. It felt sweet. And it made everything I’d done with Court feel worth it, too.

Or at least, most of what I’d done with Court.

God, I just needed to shake what had happened. We had three more months together. I still had a lot of work to do to undo years of his bad reputation. It would be hard to start with. If we kept up like this, it would be nearly impossible.

I’d taken the time that I needed away from him. I would need a lot longer to grieve my relationship with Josh. But I couldn’t keep putting my life and my career on hold. Three months was all I had left. If I could keep Court out of trouble that long and make people see a sliver of what I wanted to see… I thought I could pull it off.

“English, you’re supposed to be celebrating,” Lark said, appearing at my side. “Not moping at the edge of our party.”

I forced a smile on my face. “Just stuck on work. You know how it is.”

“I do. In fact, I’m so exhausted that I think I’m hallucinating. Sam and I aren’t going to survive this party long.”

“You haven’t slept in two weeks. You should go home with Sam.”

She smiled as she found Sam’s gaze. He winked at her. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Now, I don’t think you’re talking about sleep.”

She laughed. “Maybe not.”

My eyes drifted to Court, who stood next to Sam. He’d migrated to our circle an hour ago after leaving his brother behind. It was truly unfair that he looked so damn good, even when he was wasted drunk.

The second he shifted toward me, I looked away. Jesus, how old was I?

Lark gave me a suspicious look. “Are you okay?”

“Eh,” I said reluctantly.

“You seem out of it. How are things with Josh?”

I shrugged. “Don’t really want to talk about him. I’m filing for divorce.”

Lark cringed. “I’m sorry, English. I really thought Josh was it.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

“I’m not going to say there are other fish in the sea because that’s bullshit. But you’re beautiful and smart and funny and successful. This isn’t the end. It’s just an end.”

“Thank you, Lark,” I said around a lump in my throat. “The whole thing is just a bit of a nightmare. He doesn’t want to get a divorce even though he’s the one who cheated. I hired an attorney back home, but fuck, I hate the whole thing.”

“No judge is going to see that he cheated in the tabloids and