Page 36 of That Fake Feeling
“Yes, of course.”IstrokeConnor’sfirm thigh. “Con-Constopped drinking whenImoved in.Didn’tyou, sweetie?”
Heleans back and stares at me. “Idid?”
“Oh, he’s such a joker!”Islap his leg harder than necessary, causing him to wince, my hand coming to rest partially on the bare flesh exposed by the highest rip. “HesaidI’mall the stimulation he needs now.”Idig my fingers in, cup his stubbled chin in my other hand, and make a kissy face. “Isn’tthat adorable?”
“Okay, your turn,” the makeup artist says, forcing us apart as she throws a cape overConnor. “Let’ssee if we can, um, fix you up.”
10
CONNOR
Fuck, these tuxedo pants are tight.Theypinch partsIwould prefer not to be pinched asImake my way back downstairs after getting changed.
Andif they want this bow tie actually tied, they’re going to have to do it themselves, or it can just stay hanging around my neck.
Theonly thingsIwant to do right now are wash this powder off my face and crawl back into my sweats.ButIguess there’s no way out of today’s hideous farce.
I’dthought screwing up this interview and photo shoot would be easy—show up looking like a drunken mess, behave like a thoughtless fool, disagree with everythingRosesays, and job done.
Buther lightning-fast, willful mind challenges me every step of the way.Ican’t remember the last time anyone kept me more on my toes, forced me to up my game, and made me feel, well,Iguess the word would bealive.
Fuck.
Ipause in the doorway to the living and dining room.
Imight be in trouble.
Andnot only in terms of not being able to manipulate this situation so the board dumps me.Butalso in terms of this woman.
Themakeup person whips the cape offRose, who stands up to reveal a long, slinky, dark red, sequined evening dress that hugs her breasts, the dip of her waist, the curve of her hips, and the roundness of her butt.
Sheshakes out her brown hair, which has been curled in soft waves that rest on her shoulders.
GoodGod.
Rightthere is the perfect package—hot mind, hot body.
Andbeneath the cleavage swelling out of the shimmering neckline, there’s obviously a big, generous, and caring heart that wants to make sure struggling kids get the very best chance in life.
Shemight be a dream come true, but she’s also the person whose financial future depends on her fighting to keep me in the lifeIhate.
I’dgladly pay her the full amount to walk away.Butshe’d never go, knowing if the board kicked me off there’s no way they’d honor the ongoing support for a newLearningVillagelocation that she wrote into her contract.
“Allrighty, you beautiful creatures,” the photographer says, usheringRosetoward me.
Roselooks me up and down, her gaze resting on the crotch of these ludicrously snug pants for a fraction of a second longer than it should.
Andthere wasSterlingthinking she wasMissGoodyTwo-shoesSpecialEdTeacher.
“I’lldo the rest of the interview during the photoshoot,”Sherrisays, taking up residence on a sofa.
Thephotographer steers us toward the fireplace.
“Youtwo make like you’re throwing a cocktail party and waiting for your first guests to arrive.”Hemimes sipping a drink with his pinky sticking out. “Relaxing, sipping an aperitif, and wallowing in your love for each other.”
Rosestands at the other side of the fireplace from me, rests her hand on the mantel, and holds my gaze, her mouth forming a mischievous smile. “Readyto wallow, sugar plums?”
“So, tell me,Connor,”Sherrisays, like she couldn’t be less interested. “Howdid you end up getting together after that embarrassing incident in the vegetable garden?”
