Page 28 of Reckless King

When we get there, he surprises me by pulling my chair out for me. I slip into the seat, stumbling over my thanks, and his mouth tilts up in amusement as he slides into the seat opposite.

“Why are you here?” I ask. I’d rather not drag this out any longer than I have to.

Rather than answer straight away, he merely leans back in his chair and extends his long legs out under the table. I move my own out of the way when he brushes against them.

“I have a proposition for you,” he says.

My brows scrunch up, as well as my nose. “What kind of proposition?”

“One which will be mutually beneficial for both of us.”

Considering how different our worlds are—how differentweare—it’s hard to believe any type of proposition could benefit us both. Even so, he’s piqued my curiosity. “Okay, what is it, then?”

Instead of spilling the details, he falls quiet and watches over my shoulder. A moment later, Jarrod appears carrying two cups of coffee. He places them in front of us, and after we thank him, he gives me a smile, nods at Tate, and heads back to the counter.

Only once he’s out of hearing range does Tate speak. “I need your help with a problem. And in return, I can help you with this shop.”

I flinch. Is it that obvious that I’m struggling? “Why do you think I need your help?”

His brows rise, and he glances around, drawing attention to the emptiness in place of what should be the bustle of customers. “Don’t you?”

“It’s just a bit slow right now.”

“I’ve been in twice now, and it’s been slow both times.”

I shift in my seat and wrap my hands tightly around my mug. “I’m working on getting things back on track.”

“And I can help you do that far more quickly and efficiently than if you keep trying on your own.”

I look away from Tate’s too-perceptive gaze. “I don’t need a handout.”

“It’s not a handout. It’s a business arrangement.”

I shouldn’t listen to him. I should tell him to enjoy his coffee and then go out the back and move some money around so I can buy a new espresso machine. Except I’m terrified that there isn’t any moneytomove. Our contract with Jose isn’t cheap, and I’ve only recently been able to start serving the coffee he used tosupply us with again—the quality coffee that Dad built this place around. Not only am I banking on bringing people back in with it, but if I have to cancel the contract, Jose won’t give me another chance. It wouldn’t be fair to expect him to.

Other than the contract with him, the shop’s budget has no wiggle room. Cutting costs anywhere else is impossible. A business arrangement with Tate has to be better than admitting defeat and either risking a loan or losing the place altogether.

“Okay. What’s the arrangement?”

A hint of a smirk curls his mouth. “I need you to pretend to be in a relationship with me.”

I raise a brow and wait for him to laugh and tell me what he really wants.

But he merely takes a sip of his coffee, his full attention locked on me. Finally, I realize he’s not going to laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m absolutely serious. I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend for a few months.” His smirk broadens. “Bear in mind, you’re the first woman I’ve ever asked to date me, so don’t break my heart by saying no, butterfly.”

He’s joking. He has to be. Because what he’s asking makes no sense. But still, the way he saysbutterflyin the same low tone as that first night at Onyx has my stomach involuntarily flipping.

If I were smart, I’d get up and walk away. Instead, I ask the single question gnawing at me. “Why on earth wouldyouneed a fake girlfriend?”

He rubs his hand over his chin. “There are some things being printed about me in the tabloids that have the potential to be detrimental to the King Group.”

Why does that not surprise me? This is Tate I’m dealing with, after all. I should have known it would be something like that.

“Don’t tell me you screwed someone you shouldn’t have.” My mind flashes back to the first time I met him. “Or two someones.”

Surprisingly, the near constant amusement in his gaze fades. “Not two someones. Not even one someone. These are photos being taken out of context. Unfortunately, the tabloids are relentless, and we need to start managing the narrative before it begins to negatively affect the company.”

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