Page 32 of Not Safe For Work

“That’s not going to ha?—”

“Gavin.”

“Olivia.”

“Oh my god, stop. You know I’m right. You know how Mitch treats me, how he sees me. I don’t get to play by the same rules as you do.”

“Fine,” he concedes, his jaw clenched. “Then I repeat, let’s not come clean.”

“Gavin—” I start.

“I really prefer Scottie. Every time you say Gavin, I feel like you’re about to scold me.”

“Fine,Scottie. We can’t just pretend to be dating forever.”

I stare down at my empty drink, wishing we weren’t having this conversation, wishing I had a simple way out of this whole situation, wishing I could enjoy my first company off-site without Ian by my side critiquing every interaction with my colleagues.

“Not forever,” he muses. “How about for a few months? Or how about just until you close this deal, and he can finally see how amazing you are.”

Fake, fake, fake.How many times is he going to do something or say something like that to me? Something that makes this relationship feel way too real.

“Seriously, Scottie. Why would you do that for me? You’re getting nothing out of this.”

He turns to me and flexes his jaw.

“I’m starting to realize that me trying to help the other night only made things worse for you. I got you into this mess.” He wraps an arm around me, pulling me in close. “Let me get you out.”

Dad:

Thanks for filling in tonight. You know Deacon hates public speaking

Me:

Of course. I’m happy to help

Happy?Definitely not. I had one day to come up with a welcome speech for tonight’s gala. It’s true that I’m the only one of my siblings who doesn’t get total stage fright, but I’d still like to be prepared.

The plus side? I’ve been too busy prepping for the charity event that I haven’t had a moment to think about Gavin. Well except for the moments Ididthink about him. Is it cute or creepy to dream about your co-worker slash fake boyfriend braiding your hair? Asking for a friend.

After he drove me home from Sausalito he asked if I wanted to hang out, which of course I’m still reading into, but then I saw the family group text asking me to take over the welcome speech at tonight’s event and told him I had to work on something.

So that’s what I’ve been doing for the last twenty-four hours. Writing the speech, practicing the speech, recording myself practicing the speech, scrutinizing the recording of myself practicing the speech. It’s been a fun day.

At least I’m finally at the good part, where I get to play with makeup and put together my outfit. Deacon—the oldest of the Diamond siblings—called a few days ago to ask me not to wear anything “too girly.” He specifically requested no glitter or bows.My family has never appreciated my style, but I’m following orders and wearing the black silk dress Gavin had his hands all over yesterday morning. And I’mdefinitelynot going to read into that.

Deacon never mentioned gemstones, so to go with the simple black slip, I’m wearing my favorite bejeweled pumps. They’re completely encrusted with gems of every color, and while difficult to walk in, they aren’t impossible.

I finish the look with loose waves and a nude lip before I take a selfie to send to Andie. I would normally ask her to come over and help me decide on my look, but she’s in Santa Barbara with the mystery man she’s been keeping hidden for months. I’m positive he’s a celebrity who made her sign an NDA, but I can’t for the life of me come up with a guess as to who.

Andie Oh:

HOT HOT HOT

Is Gavin going with you?

Me:

Of course not. This isn’t a work event so it’s not like we need to be fooling anyone

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