Page 25 of The Player

Wade wanted a specific kind of book: a complete tell-all highlighting the juicy, glamorous, scandalous aspects of her life as a WAG. Yet another reason why she’d have to leave Cindy out of it.

He’d also assured her the story of her life would be well written and focused on the facts, but Liza read widely and was wise enough to know ghost writers liked to embellish, taking a little fictional creativity along the way.

Let them. Considering she was doing the same thing, giving an embroidered account of her life while withholding important facts—namely Cindy’s existence—she couldn’t begrudge the writer that.

Why should she care? Wasn’t as if the media had never invented stuff about her to sell papers or magazines. While she’d been with Jimmy there’d been a never-ending list of supposed indiscretions. Smile at a world champion tennis pro and she was accused of having an affair. Lean too close to hear a rock star’s boring diatribe at a nightclub, ditto. Wear a revealing dress by a handsome new designer, she’d got it for free by sleeping with him.

She’d grown immune after a while, knowing the invented scandals were the bane of a WAG’s existence but a price she had to pay. Though not a day went by when she didn’t feel like telling the truth and ramming her side of the story down their lying throats.

Besides, when she’d arrive home after yet another movie premiere or restaurant opening or fashion-label launch, curl up next to Cindy on the couch and cuddle her innocent sister, Liza knew it was all worthwhile.

There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her little sis, including manufacture a life story to give the masses something they’d probably invent anyway, and secure Cindy’s future in the process.

Liza arrived at Qu Publishing at nine on the dot the next morning, dressed to impress and armed with her extensive list.

She wanted to wow the ghost writer, and to do that she’d donned her WAG persona, from sleek blown-out hair to lashings of makeup, seamed stockings and sky-high black patent leather stilettos, to a tight crimson sheath dress with long sleeves and low neckline.

Power dressing at its best and if the reaction of the guys who passed her on Collins Street was any indication, she’d achieved her first goal: make a dazzling first impression.

She found it infinitely amusing that guys would barely give her a second glance when she did the grocery shopping with her hair snagged in a low ponytail and no makeup, wearing yoga pants and a hoodie, yet dressed in a slinky outfit with enough makeup to hide a million flaws and they drooled.

Fickle fools.

As she paced the reception area she wondered if that was what had captured Wade’s attention at the party, her fake outer shell. Was he a player? Or had her name been enough, and he’d wanted her to sign on the dotted line all along?

Then again, what he’d said had been true. She’d approached him. Engaged him in conversation. Even flirted a little, and he hadn’t known her name. Not until later at the bar.

His admission had soothed her wounded ego for all of two seconds before she realised a smart guy like him would’ve researched her to get as much info on the WAG he wanted so badly, and would’ve known what she looked like from the countless pictures online.

Stupid thing was, she wanted to believe him, wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt that the way they’d hooked up at the hotel had been about a strong sexual attraction and a mutual need to escape. But Liza had been let down by people her entire life, especially those closest to her, and had learned healthy distrust wasn’t such a bad thing.

She’d idolised her dad. He’d left when he couldn’t handle having a disabled daughter. She’d idolised her mum, yet her mother hadn’t been able to handle things either. When Louisa had finally left it had almost been a relief because the tension in the house had dissipated and Liza had been more than happy to step up with Cindy.

She’d been doing it for years anyway.

While she wanted to hate Wade for using sex as a way to get her onside, part of her couldn’t help but be grateful his offer had still been on the table after the way she’d stormed out of his office.

Without that contract and advance, she’d be screwed.

And he’d given her a job to boot.

Not many executives would’ve given in to her crazy demand for a job alongside a significant contract offer, but he’d done it. Probably out of desperation to have her agree to his proposal, but whatever his rationale, she was grateful.

He’d agreed to let her focus on marketing her biography for a start, which was a good way to ease into her new career. She might’ve been handed a dream job on a platter but she hadn’t actually worked in marketing since she gained her degree six years earlier, so his faith in her went some way to restoring her confidence.

Thought she knew if she screwed this up, not only would she have an irate publisher on her hands, she’d be fired before her job had begun.

So for now, along with spinning a bunch of embellished half-truths for the ghost writer, she had to spend her days coming up with whiz-bang marketing plans and meeting with Wade.

She didn’t know which of the three options terrified her most.

As if she’d conjured him up, Wade opened his door and strode toward her, tall and powerful and incredibly gorgeous. She’d rubbed shoulders with some of the most handsome guys in the world, from movie stars to sporting elite, but there was something about Wade Urquart that made her hormones jump-start in a big way.

He wore his dark hair a tad long for convention and sported light stubble that accentuated his strong jaw. Throw in the deep brown eyes, the hot bod, and the designer suit that highlighted his long legs and broad shoulders, and Liza wasn’t surprised to find herself holding her breath.

Though the clothes didn’t impress her as much as the body beneath; she’d seen every inch, touched every inch, and her skin prickled with awareness the closer he got.

‘Punctual. I like that.’ His slow, easy grin added to her flustered state as she shook his hand and looked like an idiot when she snatched hers away too fast.

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