"Hubby."
She smiled, picking up the call.
"Axel… Did I interrupt your meeting?"
A deep, amused chuckle came through the speaker phone.
"No, not really. And yes," he added, his tone teasing, "I'm the one who got someone to spill the beans about Max. We had to steer the spotlight away, right?!"
Evelyn laughed, unable to stop herself.
"I knew it! You couldn't stand seeing us trending anymore, could you?"
"You know me too well," Axel replied smoothly. "If they want gossip, I'll give them something juicier."
"But your cousin?" she asked, still half laughing. "You really threw him under the bus?"
"He threw himself," Axel said lightly. "All I did was nudge the headlines."
Evelyn shook her head, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.
Then, she cleared her throat to seriously express her worry, "But, what if this ruins his engagement?"
"Then maybe he'll learn to think with his brain next time," Axel replied dryly.
