Page 121 of The Hopelessly Bromantic Duet

“And I’m so, so grateful for that,” I say.

She drains the rest of her tea then sets the pink and white cup down with a clink. “Then you’ll be grateful to know we’ve arranged to fix this by giving you a very appropriate fake boyfriend. We have quite a vast client list, after all.”

That’s it? That’s the PR solution? Well, that’s as easy as saying yes to a night out with friends. “Brilliant. I can do that, noproblem.” I rub my hands, ready to tackle this simple challenge to fix my tarnished rep. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

Holly sighs, the kind that saysI wish there were another way, but there isn’t, so don’t fuck this up. “Someone who desperately needs a fake boyfriend too.”

“Even better. What did the bloke do to mess up his life?”

“I’ll let him explain when you meet him. Thoughmeetisn’t exactly the right word.” She gives a laugh—the conspiratorial kind. “You already know him.”

I make a beckoning motion. “Tell me who he is. I can’t wait to charm him for the cameras.”

“And you will be so bloody charming,” she says. It’s unquestionably an order.

I straighten my spine. “Absolutely.”

“Perfect. Then it’s settled. We have another client who needs a little help too. TJ Hardman will be your fake boyfriend for the awards season. Won’t that be fabulous?”

I freeze.

This has to be a lark. But there’s no laughter coming my way. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious.”

The only way I can save my career is by acting as if I’m in love with the man who destroyed my heart.

I guess we’ll see just how good an actor I am.

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