"Dad, this is completely untrue!" Amelia exclaimed frantically, desperate to clear the air. "There's nothing going on between me and Ronan!"
Ronan nodded from the driver's seat. "That's right, Mr. Kentwood. But truthfully, it might be better to pretend that there is. At least everyone wouldn't think you're still angling for Matteo. And I've been in enough romantic scandals that this is just a blip on my radar."
"Who knew your manwhore days would actually come in handy?" Cherry marveled, then she realized Amelia's father was listening and coughed. "Sorry for my crudeness, Mr. Kentwood."
"I've heard worse in my youth," Amelia's father said dryly, but his eyes were serious as he gazed at Amelia, who wanted to sink into her seat. "I've taken a quick glance at all the dastardly articles that emerged about Matteo Montgomery, and all I can say is that he should have left you alone. All he did was bring you grief!"