Page 109 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 5-8
He sits up and leans forward, brushing his lips against my cheek. I stare at him as a silly smile crosses my face. It’s the first time he’s kissed me in public since our charade began.
“Thank you.”
Someone clears their throat. Aiden and I both look up to see George Randolph standing next to our table. He looks faintly amused as he glances between the two of us.
“Good afternoon.”
Aiden and I both stand and shake his hand. Randolph sits in the chair opposite our sofa.
“So. The two of you.” He shakes his head. “Don’t know how I missed it.”
“I’m sorry.” Aiden tenses slightly, but I plunge in. I know Randolph’s dossier like the back of my hand, know what he and his campaign managers are focusing on. “Once we realized how we felt about each other, we wanted some time and privacy to learn more about each other.” I glance at Aiden. “We didn’t want to announce anything until we knew for sure where our relationship was headed.”
“Judging by the size of that ring, I’d say Hawke knows exactly where he wants this relationship to go.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” When I look at Aiden, I let all my growing feelings shine in my eyes. “He’s very generous.”
Aiden stares at me, his face tense, as if he can sense there’s a hidden meaning to my words. I turn away and face Randolph.
“I know integrity is important to you, Mr. Randolph. It was never our intent to deceive.”
The amusement disappears, replaced by the bullish look I’m more used to seeing in our client meetings. “You must understand how those photos looked. The impact it could have if someone chose to capitalize on them during my campaign.”
“And now,” I add with a sweet yet firm smile, “your name is linked to one of the most prestigious wealth management firms in the world. A firm that is known for its ties to the Hawke Foundation, which just recently purchased a brownstone on West 86th for a domestic violence shelter and set up an endowment fund to maintain operations indefinitely at Aiden’s behest.”
Randolph looks at Aiden with something approaching respect. “I didn’t know.”
“That’s one of the things I love about Aiden. He doesn’t feel the need to publicize every good deed. He does them because he believes it’s the right thing to do.”
Randolph stares at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, he turns to look at Aiden. “And what do you have to say, Hawke?”
Silence falls at our table. Then, finally, Aiden speaks.
“I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Stunned, I whip my head around. Aiden is gazing at me with such admiration it takes everything I have not to lean over and kiss him in front of everyone.
“I see.” Randolph leans back in his chair. “Well, now that that’s settled, I’d say a drink is in order.” He motions to the bartender as Aiden and I glance at each other.
“Does that mean you’ll stay with Hawke Financial?” Aiden asks.
“I was skeptical. Very skeptical. TheGildedinterview went live on their website on Tuesday, and my team noticed a change in the dialogue surrounding your gala photos. I’ll forewarn you, Miss Clark,” he adds with a slight smile, “that my wife has requested you join us one day for brunch so she can ask you numerous questions about your fire dancing.”
My smile is real. I’ve met his wife a few times at the office. She can talk a mile a minute, but she’s also very kind.
“I would like that very much.”
His face softens. “But seeing the two of you here… I will be staying with Hawke Financial.” My relief is short-lived as Randolph holds up a hand. “I’m not ready to make a decision on New Field. It’s a risky venture. I’m not saying I don’t agree something needs to be done. But it’s a massive undertaking. One,” he adds with a slight raise of his brows, “I don’t fully understand your motivations for.”
Please say something, Aiden. Tell him whatever it is that’s driving you.
“Someone confided in me, Randolph,” Aiden says, his voice cool. “The abuse they suffered is the tip of the iceberg of what’s going on behind those walls. It’s not just a savvy political maneuver and financially beneficial to your portfolio, but it would save lives.”
A strong speech. But I can see Randolph isn’t swayed by it. Like me, he suspects there’s something else going on, reasons that run far deeper. That Aiden isn’t sharing puts us both on edge.
“I’ll have an answer for you in forty-eight hours. Meanwhile,” he says as the bartender walks up, “a bottle of champagne to celebrate the happy couple.”
As Randolph asks Aiden a question about one of his recent investments, I lean back and sip my drink. We’re halfway there. Randolph is staying with Hawke Financial. He’s still considering New Field. The whirlwind of the last few days hasn’t been for nothing.
