Page 15 of The Cupcake Cottage

Maverick pointed to Louis, forehead creasing.

“What?” she demanded, turning back to Louis.

“The press has actually been quite positive about the idea of the two of you dating.”

She cleared her throat, trying to act like that little fact didn’t completely blast through her resolve to stay angry. She wanted to melt, sit down and ask for a full retelling of the public’s reaction.

“It’s a lie!” She turned to Maverick. “Unless I missed you asking me out at some point?”

His hands were clasped between his knees, and his lips were pulled into a frown. He looked calm, steady. And incredibly hot in his jeans and pressed white shirt. The dampness in his hair from his post-workout shower. That chin. That jawline. The depth of his gaze which kept pulling her into his orbit.

Her mind wanted to race down dangerous avenues that were definitely not open to traffic. Little did this man know that he was one of her biggest fantasies. She’d be over the moon if this article told the truth and he’d chosen her.

“Have a seat.” Louis gestured to the chair beside Maverick. She paused for a second, but Maverick shrugged, not looking nearly as perturbed as she thought he should.

“You two look natural together,” Louis said. “Everyone can see it.”

“We’refriends.” Daisy-Mae wrapped her arms around herself, cursing herself for flirting with him so steadily at the party. “This is…is slanderous or something! It’s defrauding the public, and it’s going to make Maverick look even worse when the truth comes out.”

Beside her, Maverick was grinning.

“What?” Daisy-Mae flashed him a look. He was not helping his case at all. He should be more upset than she was. It washisreputation at stake.

“I’ve never had anyone defend me like this. It’s sexy.”

“Well, it’s about time someone did.” She turned back to Louis, long finger extended at him. “How are you going to fix this?”

“I’m not in the PR department!” He raised his hands in surrender.

“They told meyouapproved and collaborated. That makes all of this your problem.”

Louis gave a small cough and shot Maverick an alarmed look. He sat a little straighter. “Define fix.”

Daisy-Mae blinked, unsure. This was about where her anger and plan ran out. Her and her loud mouth. “You tell me.”

“This was an attempt to help Maverick,” Louis stated carefully. “It wasn’t anyone’s intention when the photographer was hired to make up a relationship, but we can’t deny the fact that it’s been less than twenty-four hours since it went live, and it’s helping.”

“You…” Daisy-Mae couldn’t find the words. She looked at Maverick. His eyes were closed, and it appeared as though he was doing some deep breathing techniques.

“The papers are loving it. It’s spreading like wildfire and everyone wants to know who you are.” Louis sat back, looking rather pleased with himself.

Daisy-Mae was itching to learn more, but she stayed focused on her waning anger.

“So now we’re a thing?” Daisy-Mae said, a hint of disgust in her tone that she hadn’t meant. She wanted Maverick tochooseher. Not get stuck with her. When he kissed her—if he kissed her—she wanted it to be real. She wanted to feel whatever she felt with him without the constant thought he was just faking it all. And this—this would all be fake from start to finish.

“Hey, I’m a catch, you know,” Maverick grumbled from beside her.

“Iknow.” Daisy-Mae barely glanced at him, her focus on Louis. “But this is manipulative!”

“Have you looked at the article, Daisy-Mae?” Louis asked carefully. “Really looked at it?”

He pushed a printout closer, and she hazarded a peek. Earlier, when she’d first saw the photos, she hadn’t recognized herself. But it was no wonder everyone thought they were an item. She was leaning way too close to Maverick. And that look she was giving him? Wow. Lovesick much? She was like a cartoon heroine swooning over a hero.

She swallowed, more than a little embarrassed, and glanced at Louis, then back to the article. In these photos she looked like someone. Someone she’d always wanted to be. Someone who dated highflyers and belonged with them.

A few weeks ago she’d ducked into Jenny’s shop in Sweetheart Creek to find something that said Serious Professional Woman Working in the City. She’d found a fewitems but then had ended up in San Antonio with some friends, one of them the best designer bargain shopper ever, Mandy Mattson from Blueberry Springs. It was a good thing her friend lived way up north because they’d given Daisy-Mae’s credit card a healthy workout. One it couldn’t afford to do very often. But she’d found that amazing balance between sexy and professional. Fitted blouses, black pants, and heels for work. But with a classy, sexy twist, and some Texas style. Some of her makeover had spilled over into her casual wardrobe as well. And judging by these photos, the makeover had done the trick. She had finally outgrown her trailer park roots and arrived. And she’d arrived with Maverick Blades leaning in, his shoulder pressed against hers, smiling like he adored her.

Had he known ahead of time that this fake article was going to be leaked? Had he been instructed to find a mark at the party and she’d willingly swooned when given his undivided attention?

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