Page 53 of Surprisingly Us

“Are we still practicing?” I whisper as if that will keep us in character.

“No, Princess. You did good. Not committing right away leaves a guy wanting more.”

I beam with pride.

“Real talk. There is a dinner party next week at my cousin Jerrod’s. He’s invited all the foundation board members and their significant others. It’s a good opportunity for me to get some face time with the voting members, so I’ll need you to attend with me.”

“When is it?” I ask.

“Next Thursday night.”

The Leg-Up showcase and fundraiser are Friday night. Attending a dinner party the night before isn’t ideal. I’d like to be snuggled up in bed by ten at the latest, but the dinner is fulfilling my side of the agreement so I’ll have to make it work.

“That reminds me, I’ve got an event the following night. Remember I was telling you about Leg-Up? The showcase and fundraiser are next Friday night, and I guess I can bring a date.”

It hadn’t occurred to me before, but since I’m fake-dating Rhys, I should take full advantage of practicing in as many situations as possible.

“I’m at your service.”

“Okay. Good.”

That’s when it occurs to me. Our date last night went well, but it was practice. Other than the photographers that were nosily waiting outside the restaurant, we weren’t under a microscope. But, this dinner party, the one at Rhys’s cousin’s is meant for us to display our relationship to The Spencer Foundation board members, and convince them Rhys is capable of a committed relationship. It’s the part of the arrangement where we’ll need to act like a real couple and make it believable.

That overwhelming feeling I had when Rhys proposed this plan is back.What if I can’t pull off the ruse? What if they don’t believe we’re together and it ruins his chances at becoming board president?I don’t know if I can handle that kind of pressure.

“I can hear you freaking out through the phone.”

“You can? I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s the silence that tells me you’re overthinking.”

“Huh. Well, you’re right. I am. I feel unprepared to pose as your girlfriend in front of a bunch of people. And the fundraiser is going to have family and friends there. We’ll have to convince the people closest to us that we’re dating.”

“You want to come over later and we’ll strategize?”

It occurs to me I don’t even know where Rhys lives. I forgot to ask him last night.

“Okay, sure.”

“I’ll have Wanda pick you up around six.”

“Sounds good.”

CHAPTER 14

Colette

I would normally have a quick, light lunch before I head over to the Leg-Up studio for the Elements of Ballet class I teach on Wednesdays and then practice with Sebastian, but I told Chloe, Emma, and Sophie I would meet them for lunch today.

When I arrive at the bistro, the ladies are already seated. We exchange greetings and hugs before I sit down to check out the menu.

“I have to tell you all. I just finished the best fake-dating romance manuscript I’ve read in a long time,” Chloe says. “The agent who pitched it found it in their slush pile. I’m obsessed with it. God, it was so good.”

“That’s really saying something because we all know how much fake dating is near and dear to your heart.” Emma smirks.

“It is?” I ask, confused by the conversation. I also have no poker face, so I’m hoping my forehead doesn’t have an‘I’m fake-dating Rhys’neon sign flashing on it.

“Chloe and Barrett were fake dating before they got together for real,” Emma says.

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