Page 10 of The Publicity Stunt

"Well, not everyone can be built like a mammoth like yourself," she says and stabs her pasta.

He smiles. "You think I'm large?"

"You take up half this table. Your size in this present state isn't exactly a secret."

"You have sass. I did not expect that from you."

"She gets a little defensive when people critique music, especially when they've never written or performed it," Nia says. "Believe me, it's a battle I also never win with her."

Bri shrugs. "You can critique someone for anything, but insulting their creativity is pretty low brow. Sure, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it doesn't give anyone the right to tear it down."

"I'm more of a coffee guy. Strong and black. I guess you still love the guy?" Kace asks.

"Because I defend his right to create music means I love him? I must love all of the music industry by those standards."

Nia leans towards him. "She never really loved him."

Neo holds his glass of red wine in the air. "Even better!"

Letting out a breath to settle herself, Bri looks at the table. There's no point in getting worked up over her ex with a man who compares masculinity on a vastly different scale than others. "What are we doing here, Nia? What's this idea you're talking about?"

"We want you two to date," Neo says.

This time, she does actually choke on a noodle she hasn't had time to fully chew, and Nia quickly pats her on the back.

"Well, since you asked nicely," Kade says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He glares at Neo, and Bri's pretty sure he believes the man is as big of an idiot as Bri does.

"Not for real. Unless you want to. But we want to play up the speculation everyone has already created regarding whether or not you two are actually dating," Nia says.

"Why?" Kace asks. "Okay, so she gets to shove it to the pipsqueak, but what's in it for me?"

Oh, it's just for her benefit this came about? He'd be lucky to date her! Even if it was fake.

"Because your team has a solid chance of taking home the Cup this year, and the added publicity will increase attendance and broadcast numbers. On top of that, your endorsements will go through the roof. Everyone wants to buy the products the guy who snagged the world's hottest pop star reps."

"So, I'm basically here to make him money while he'd be here to help me, what? Save face? I think I'm doing okay right now," Bri says.

"I didn't mean-"

Nia holds a hand up to stop Neo. "It sounds bad, but it's not what you're thinking."

Sniffling, she takes a drink of her water. One day she'll be able to go through life without people only seeing dollar signs when they look at her. "What Cup are you taking home?"

Kace lifts his eyebrows. His plate sits completely empty while she had to stop eating halfway through her pasta out of fear of throwing up. "The Stanley Cup."

"Okay?"

"The championship of the entire league," Nia says.

"Oh, like a Super Bowl ring? Except a cup or something?"

Kace looks at Neo. "Seriously? You want me to date a woman who knows nothing about hockey? Not even the basics like what the goddamned Stanley Cup is? Who'll believe that?"

"Excuse me for having more on my plate than sports," Bri says. "But I agree. I don't think people will buy us as a couple. Especially because I'm apparently going to be quizzed on hockey rules and regulations. I'll fail that for sure."

"Sweetie, they already have bought you as a couple. Everyone's speculating and hoping. And it'll really help us spin the attention after the latest news Easton's camp just released."

Her stomach drops even further, practically to her toes, and she leans back in her seat. She's done eating for the rest of the day from the sounds of it. When her eyes glance to Kace, he stares at Nia with rapt attention.

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