Page 13 of Faking the Face Off

“Having a fake girlfriend?” I shake my head. “I don’t know about that. It feels so…slimy.”

“No, it’s a good one. And it’s a tactic that people use a lot more than folks realize. I’ve got a friend who is an agent in LA, she’s high up there and has been in her role for a long time. She’s had a few glasses of wine in the past and spilled some names that were ‘PR relationships’ and all I can say is…youwould be shocked at who is together because of those kinds of arrangements.”

“No doubt.” I stare at my coffee, knowing that Sutton is staring at me. It’s a fabulous offer, and I will say that I know things, she’s right. But do I really know enough to work on the marketing for an AHL team? “To be honest, when you bring up having me on the marketing team, I feel underqualified.”

“Sometimes on-the-job experience is better than schooling…do not tell your father I said that!” She laughs. “Give me some time. I want to look into our budget, some other logistics, and see what an appropriate timeline could be for you to segue over with us. Once we have a plan, we can talk to Ben together if you want to do it.”

“It’s a lot to think about, but thank you.”

“Think it over. We’ll put a pin in it for now, because I have a bigger ask, about Ollie and the fake-dating…” She looks over her shoulder, a little twitchy like she’s afraid someone might overhear. “I adore him. You’re right, he’s a star player. I don’t want him going anywhere, and if he needs to show off a woman to do it, then so be it. But I want the right one on his arm.”

I nod, completely in agreement as I take my coffee and sink another sip. I could probably eat now that my stomach isn’t rolling like we’re a cruise ship being battered by a storm on the high seas any longer.

“You’ve got a good point. She needs to fit his image and be willing to be pliable enough to not be in the spotlight herself, but to be his prop…I guess?”

“Essentially. She needs to be confident and understand the game, and to know she’ll be well compensated for her role,” Sutton says as she looks at me pointedly. “If you want to do it, we will pay you.”

Her words hit me like a baseball bat. Or a hockey stick to the head, if I’m gonna stay on-brand.

“Pay me? To date Ollie?”

Sutton nods her head while mine spins. My antennae are back up, standing at attention in between a row of red flags waving, and I now regret coming today. “I don’t know, Sutton. It’s weird to think about doing that.”

“I know,” she says, letting out a sigh. “I hate asking, but you seem to me like someone who fits the bill and would understand the assignment without getting emotionally involved or having expectations.” She drops her chin and peers at me. “Honestly, I’m not trying to freak you out. Did I?”

I shrug. “Yeah, a little.”

“Argh,” she growls, covering her face with her hands as her timer goes off, signaling the end of her sales pitch. “Sorry to sound skeevy. I want you to know I’ve got yours and Ollie’s best interests at heart, and I mean what I said about your talent. I’m not trying to compliment sandwich you into doing something for me. I promise.”

There’s earnestness in her voice, and I believe her, but the faded memory of my phone beeping a few moments before pushes me to reach into my purse to find it.

“No, I get it, and I hear you,” I say, digging around.

“If you do it, we’ll pay you ten grand.”

I stop digging. “Come again?”

She nods and holds up her hand. “Scouts honor.”

“Why?”

“Because that team isn’t supposed to have two people running it. It needs to have only one, and it’s not Jimmy.” Sutton’s demeanor shifts slightly as she sits up a little taller. “Gavin is not around because Jimmy makes him mental. I’m willing to do what I need to stop his nonsense. If you give up your personal dating life for a few weeks, attend some events, make sure that Ollie is in the spotlight and looks like a superstar to the world, I will make sure you’re paid.”

“This has to be a joke.”

“Not at all. I know you two are friends, so I feel like it would be a natural thing to have you guys suddenly be like, ‘Ta da, we’re together!’ If you say yes, half of the payment will go into your bank account immediately. The other half will be paid toward the end.”

As things get interesting, my hand lands on my phone. I pull it out of my bag and, with my brain swirling, I look at the screen and am shocked to see at least twenty missed calls from my dad, Ben, Ben’s wife Molly, and an unknown number.

“Hold on, Sutton,” I manage as I hit the button to play my voicemails and put the phone to my ear. As the first message plays, I feel my stomach dipping. It’s an attendant at the River City Hospital.

“I need to go,” I say as I stand up, shooting out of my chair and grabbing my bag.

“Honey, what’s going on?” Sutton’s voice is filled with worry.

“It’s my dad. He’s been rushed to the hospital.”

CHAPTER 6

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