Page 31 of The Wrong Promise

“If we are going to be a couple, then you need to wear sweats. Couples who dress down together stay together,” I joke.

“I don’t think that’s a thing,” he mutters.

I backtrack fast so he doesn’t get the wrong idea. I know we’ll never be a couple. We are opposites in every way, and we frustrate each other equally. “Luckily, we don’t need to worry about it, so you can laze around in your designer suits.”

He’s staring as though he wants to say something but pauses as if deciding against it. After a heavy pause, he finally begins, “We need to discuss some other matters. I can arrange for a chef to speak with you on mealpreference if that’s what you’d like. It will make nights easier for you.”

“My nights…” I’ll be alone and have plenty of time to cook for myself. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d rather arrange my own meals and shop for my own food.” He nods slowly, and whatever is on his mind, I wish he’d say it. “Anything else?” I press.

“We should set some ground rules for appearance’s sake so there are no loopholes to be caught out.”

“Loopholes?”

“If we’retogether,then we act so in public even when we’re not. If either one of us behaves badly and is photographed, there is every chance Sir James will see the images. So let’s prevent that entirely. And before you say anything, the man has contacts.”

“Contacts like spies?” I say in jest.

“Yes. So when you’re with your friends, please act as though you have a boyfriend.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “For how freaking long? I didn’t come here to be locked away, pining for my man to come home.”

“Please be mindful, that’s all I ask.” He sips his whiskey and stares toward the terrace.

“You need to follow the same rules,” I bite back. “Even when you’re in LA because if either of us are going to be photographed in public, it’s going to be you.”

Jobe turns and holds my gaze. His intense mood crackles the air between us. “I have every intention of honoring my end of the agreement. This business deal is my priority over everything else.”

I swallow hard, understanding the meaning of his words, and clarify, “No casual sex, not even in your home, becauseyoucould be photographed.”

“Let’s see how long we both last,” he mumbles into his glass before taking a sip.

“Piece of cake for me,” I shoot back. “My record is six months, thirteen days, and eleven hours.” I grin, hoping he finds some humor in my sad sex life, though I can’t tell him about my current time since he was my last.

Instead, his eyes round. “Months, not weeks?”

I laugh. “One of us is going to suffer more than the other. But since you’re the one to gain the most, I think it’s a small sacrifice.” I push up from the couch. “Anything else?”

“None that I can think of. Hayley will email you with some more instructions.”

Email me…

“I’m looking forward to signing thefuncontract,” I mock. Move overFifty Shades,Jobe Hendricks has reinvented the pleasure wheel.

“Night, Zara.” He sips his whiskey without turning my way.

“Night, fun-slayer.”

The following day,I’m having lunch with my coworkers, and the conversation leads into the weekend. I want to hang out with them, but I’m going to have to figure out a way to drop hints about the fact I’m seeing someone. If I’m going to play this game for him, it needs to appear real.

I mull over that for a moment.

Why am I playing his game when all I have to do is find someone else to live with, and I won’t need to stay with him? The sooner I have a conversation with my friends, the quicker I can move out. Ugh, my stomach. It’s the same dull feeling I get when I let someone I care about down. My stupid subconscious wants to do the right thing. It’s not thatI owe Jobe a thing. But I do care about Penny and Frank, and if they knew what Jobe was doing to secure the contract and I ruined it, I’d feel bad even though it’s wrong to lie about our relationship to Sir James. I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. But if I had a choice, I’d choose to do it for Penny—even if she is unaware of my good deed.

Hopefully, it makes up for running out on her.

Is my happiness selfish?

It’s only for one year…

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