Page 12 of Reluctantly Married

If Wendy had seen it online, they must have gotten a ton of hits. Leon would be ecstatic. She sunk into her armchair. “Yeah, he’s cute.”

“Everyone’s talking about how you fight on the show, but he’s secretly in love with you. Is that true?” Her voice rose in pitch.

What could she say to that? The same question had been going through her mind all night. “I don’t know.”

“Wow, the website now says, ‘Watch the second date, coming soon.’ When is that?”

Wendy’s words snapped her out of the fog that Adam’s kiss had created. “What? I never agreed to a second date.”

“You did say you wanted to do it again sometime.”

Megan stood, clutching the phone tight. “Yeah, but I meant alone, not on camera. Leon is such a jerk! I gotta go. He must be at the station right now.”

Megan hung up the phone and shoved it back into her purse. He had some nerve putting that up without even asking her. She grabbed her keys and opened her door. Who did Leon think he was, anyway, presuming to tape her budding romance for his own profit? She had better straighten him out.

She raced down to the station. Sure enough, Leon’s car was parked in the lot…right beside Adam’s car. What was he doing here? Maybe dropping Dale off?

The night air had gotten chilly, but she ignored the cold as she entered the station. She stomped down the hallway but slowed as she heard voices coming from Leon’s office. The door was ajar, and she could see Leon, Dale, and Adam all crowded around the computer screen.

“Adam, the kiss was brilliant. We’ve got half-a-million hits and rising.” Leon slugged him on the shoulder. “The way you kissed her, no one will ever suspect a thing.”

Heat flushed through her body, and her stomach tightened. What was he talking about? She crept closer to the wall so she wouldn’t be visible if one of them turned around.

Dale laughed. “Ialmost believed you had feelings for her. And I watch you two fight every day.”

“Listen,” Leon said. “About the fighting. You should keep things cool for a while. Flirt a little more. After the next few dates, it will come out that Dr. Lemon is a fraud and this was all a publicity stunt. Megan’s going to blow her top. We’ll make national news!”

Megan clenched her fists, her nails biting into her skin. This was all a lie, and Adam was in on it. She turned on her heel and ran down the hall before she could hear any more, tears blurring her vision.

How could he do this to her, make her think he cared for her, then laugh at her when she found out the truth? She was such a fool. How could she have fallen for the stupid machine-that-reads-feelings? What an idiot she was.

She shivered as she approached her car and slid into the driver’s seat. Humiliation burned in her, and she ground her teeth. Maybe she was stupid, but Leon was right about one thing. Theywouldmake national news. But she’d make sureshewasn’t the one they were laughing at.

5

Adam reeled back in shock.“Wait, what? You can’t do that to Megan.”

Leon stared at him, obvious confusion on his face. “It’s nothing personal. She’s going to be a star. Think of the publicity.”

Adam’s stomach turned cold as anger surged in him. He grabbed Leon’s shirt in his fist, pulling his face close and practically lifting him off the cheap office chair. “No. You’re not doing that. I agreed to go out with her on-air. That’s it. You’re not going to humiliate her.”

Leon put his hands up in the air in a lame ‘I surrender’ gesture. “Hey, man. Cool it. Whatever you want. I’ll change the game plan.”

Adam released Leon and let him slump back in the chair. “You’re going to tell Megan everything. Confess about Dr. Lemon. And if she still wants to work for you, count your lucky stars.”

Leon stood and smoothed his shirt. “Now, settle down. We don’t have to tell Megan anything yet.”

Dale piped up. “Just look at these comments. People can’t wait to see your next date. If Megan knows Dr. Lemon is a fake, she’ll never go out with you again.” Dale pointed to the computer, and Adam squinted at the screen.

“I don’t care what people are saying. It’s not fair to Megan.” He took in a deep breath to steady his heart rate. Why was he so upset? He blinked. Had he really grabbed his boss like that?

“Let’s not get hasty. This whole thing is bringing the ratings of the show up.” Leon hitched his pants and looked Adam in the eye. “This is actually helping Megan. It’s boosting her career.”

Adam knew there wasn’t an altruistic bone in Leon’s body. This wasn’t about doing anything for Megan. However, the attention the show was getting really would help Megan in the end. Wouldn’t it?

And if they didn’t humiliate her by spinning it as a publicity stunt, what would be the harm in continuing the dates on-air? He would like to go out with her again.

Leon frowned. “This station needs the attention. If not from you, I’ll find someone else.”

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