Page 40 of Hook Up

“Eh, you’re worth it.”

“I have some news, Gigi.”

“Is Jillian pregnant?”

Greg’s eyes widen as he sputters his beer. “She’d better not be. I’d like a few months of newlywed bliss. No, I’m moving to Charlotte.”

“What?” That’s it. I’ve definitely fallen down a wormhole.

“Ryder has an opening on his pit crew. He offered me the job last night.”

Nowhow am I supposed to hate the man?

I give my brother a soft jab in the ribs before hugging him about the waist. “That’s amazing, Greg. What an opportunity.”

“For us both. You and Ryder, I like you together. You two make sense.”

Well, Greg cracked open the door. Might as well let him in on my quandary.

“Ryder asked me to move to Charlotte, too, albeit temporarily. He needs my help with the brewing media fallout from his ex-lover. Whatever that means.”

I expect Greg to huff in anger, like a bull in front of a red flag. Instead, he smirks, biting back a laugh. “Did he now?”

“He most certainly did. I don’t plan on accepting his offer, obviously.”

Greg’s brow shoots upward. “Why not?”

Is my brother serious? “For so many reasons.”

“Such as?”

I stand there for a few seconds, my brain rattling off all the reasons that ten minutes ago sounded valid and now sound ridiculous. “It’s dishonest.”

“Please tell me you’re not worried about hurting the integrity of the media. Seriously, what has he asked you to do?”

“Move in with him and pretend to be his girlfriend for the next two to three months.”

Another smirk. If he keeps it up, I’m smacking it off his face, wedding day or no.

“What is so funny?”

“If a rich, beautiful woman that I was crazy about asked me to move in with her and pose as her boyfriend, I sure wouldn’t be out here pouting about it.”

“You think I should do it?”

“Absolutely. What do you have to lose?”

“Twenty thousand dollars in debt?”

That got Greg’s attention. “Come again?”

“In exchange for being his girlfriend, he’s offered to pay off the debt that Richard gifted me.” Holy hell, when I say it aloud, I realize how spectacular this deal is, even if my heart gets mangled in the process.

Now his smile is full-blown. “If you don’t take this deal, I will. Holy hell,I’llpose as his girlfriend for the next couple of months for way less than twenty grand. Gigi, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Unless you don’t think you can stand Ryder for the next couple of months.”

“I think the idea of you in a dress is going to give me nightmares.” I squeeze his neck, smacking a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Remember, if you pass on the deal, let him know I’m interested.” A final smirk after I flip him the bird. “Get out of here. Go find your man.”

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