Page 23 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

I laugh out loud and can feel the tension release from my body. The decision is made. I’m going to give Jules what she wants to get what I want.

It’s a win-win. I hope.

TEN

Jules

I’ve compromised on my outfit today. I’m not wearing a trash bag, and I’m not wearing heels so sharp they could cut steak. I have a black pencil skirt with a kitten heel, a little makeup, and my hair down. Leo agreed to think about me being manager of The Mayfair in return for being his fake fiancée. And I’m hoping his answer is yes. If not, it’s back to my Hillary suits and recruitment websites. I’ll have to start applying for shift manger roles. I won’t be able to go back to The Mayfair.

I’ve only just sat down at my desk when the outer office door opens and Leo appears. He sighs when he sees me. That can’t be a good sign.

“Come into my office,” he says.

That’s even worse. He didn’t even say good morning.

Without saying a word, I follow him and sit in the chair opposite his desk.

“I’ve been thinking about everything.” His tone is somber and my heart falls into my stomach. Leo is charming,and cutthroat at times, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him somber. “I’ve given a lot of thought to what I need from a fiancée—a fake fiancée. And from a manager of The Mayfair. And… I have a proposition for you.”

My heart leaps up like a meerkat checking its surroundings. I’m tempted to launch myself across the desk and tell him whatever it is, I agree, but I manage to hold myself back.

“I’m prepared to give you a trial as manager of The Mayfair—” I know there’s a condition about to follow, but I want to let off confetti bombs and hug the shit out of him. “It will be a fair trial. You don’t have previous experience”—I start to interrupt him, but he silences me with a raised eyebrow and continues—“as a general manager. I appreciate you have a lot of other experience. And you also have ambition and drive, both of which go a long way.”

“I won’t let you down,” I say. “You’re going to give me that job permanently when my trial is over.”

“That is my hope and expectation. As you correctly point out, I have neither the time nor inclination to begin a search for a replacement for Louis.”

I nod. “And I will find you another assistant.”

“I know you will.” He smirks at me. “But you’re right, your first job is to find me an assistant who’s at least as good at your job as you are.”

I suck in a breath through my teeth and shake my head. “Not sure that’s achievable.”

The corner of his mouth twitches and I do my best not to smile. Grinning at each other is not our MO. We are brusque and professional. That’s how it should stay.

“Then we come to the matter of our engagement.”

I nod, setting my mouth in a thin line, so he knows I mean business.

He slides some papers over to my side of the desk. “This is an NDA, which I require you to sign.”

I click the top of my pen and flick over to the last of five pages, sign it, and slide it back to him.

“You haven’t read it,” he says.

“I really want this job,” I reply.

“You need to be aware of your obligations in terms of what I need you to keep confidential.”

“I’m aware.”

He closes his eyes in a long, irritated blink, like he’s trying to compose himself or he’ll launch across the desk and strangle me.

I slide the NDA back to my side of the desk and start to read.

It all seems perfectly reasonable. Apparently everything he tells me in relation to the engagement is confidential. I’m not allowed to tell anyone that it’s not real.

“So I can’t tell my mom?”

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