Page 54 of Evading the Enforcer

“Don’t you want to know why I need a fake fiancée?”

Her forehead puckers. “I guess you never told me that part.”

“It’s been six months since this all happened and I’m still seeing interviews with Destiny where I’m mentioned. I guess I’m tired of looking like the chump who got duped by his girlfriend and his friend.”

“I don’t think you look like a chump at all. You’re the wronged party. Everyone with common sense knows those two are the assholes,” she says.

“I figure if the media is going to bring me up anyway, I may as well give them something new to report on.”

“Oh, I’m so on board with that. What’s the plan?”

“When do you film the first episode of your upcoming season?” I ask.

“Ideally, next week sometime. I can work around your hockey schedule.”

I yank my phone from my pocket, pulling up my schedule. “We leave the day after tomorrow for two days.”

“You’ll be gone for New Year’s Eve?” she asks.

“Yeah, we’ll be traveling back that night. If you can film on the first and second of the month, I could swing being there. Otherwise, it will need to be at the end of January.”

“Like there’s a choice? I’ll make sure we’re ready for the first. My crew is small and hardworking. They’re going to lose their minds when they find out you’re going to be on the show.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you in your element,” I say.

“What do you need from me?” she asks.

“There’s a big hockey fundraiser coming up that can be our first public appearance together.”

“I’m assuming this is a black-tie event?”

I nod. “Yeah. If you need a dress, I’ll pay for one.”

“I don’t need a sugar daddy.” She laughs.

“I’m not offering to be one. Besides, you told me your age, and you’re older than me.” I chuckle.

“How old are you?” she asks.

“Thirty-two.”

“Well, I still don’t need you to purchase my dress. I’ve been to awards shows for work and have a few to choose from. Unless you have something particular in mind. If you want me to sex it up and wear something cut down to my belly button, you’ll be buying that.”

I picture her in a dress like the one she described, and I want to throw my wallet at her.

“That’s not a bad idea.” I waggle my eyebrows. “In all seriousness, wear whatever you want. You’ll be a beautiful addition to my arm.”

“If you keep complimenting me, I might make you my real fiancé,” she teases.

Then I’d get all the benefits of that title.

Even though I’m not hungry, I eat a couple of pieces of cheese to be polite, then chug down the remaining water. I pull up my contacts list and hand her my phone. “Why don’t you add your number and text yourself. That way, we’ll be able to keep in touch while I’m gone.”

“Okay.” Her small thumbs tap lightning-fast on the screen. She passes my phone back to me and our fingers brush. Her eyes swing up to meet mine, then lower to my mouth, where they linger.

I study her bow-shaped lips while contemplating the pros and cons of kissing her, when a text comes through on my phone. I glance at the screen.

“It’s Maeve. They’re on their way home now. She said the club was a bust.”

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