Page 10 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

“I was supposed to pitch my idea to Rubin McNeal at the gala,” I say, stabbing at my salad.

Sebastian’s eyes drop to my shirt as a bit of dressing drips onto it. He doesn’t even try to hide his smirk.

“So? What does that have to do with me?”

“You purposely distracted me with that dance and then monopolized Rubin’s time for the rest of the night. I waited an hour, and by the time you were done, he’d already left. Now I have two weeks to find an investor, or my project gets canceled.”

I drop my fork, my appetite gone.

Sebastian leans back, his expression thoughtful.

“Let me make it up to you,” he says, his tone unusually serious.

I narrow my eyes, skeptical. “How?”

“I can get McNeal to fund your project,” he begins.

That catches my attention, but I know Sebastian too well. There’s always a catch.

“And what’s in it for you?” I ask, leaning forward.

“Nothing much,” he replies, his voice low. Then he leans in, his eyes locking with mine. “I just need you to be my counterpart in a fake relationship.”

My stomach churns. “Is this some kind of joke?” I cough, struggling to process his words.

“No, I’m serious. For two weeks, you and I will pretend to be in a committed relationship.”

“With you?”

“Who else?”

I let his proposal sink in. It’s the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. If I agree, my project—and everything I’ve worked so hard for—could be saved. But faking a relationship with Sebastian Kane? The thought alone is unbearable.

Sebastian is spoiled, entitled, and thinks he can buy his way through life with charm and money. That might work on others, but not on me.

“This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard,” I say, bursting into laughter.

Sebastian’s jaw tightens as heads turn toward us, drawn by my outburst.

“I’ll lose everything if you say no,” he says softly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic note of vulnerability.

“Well, that makes two of us,” I reply, grabbing my bag and rising from the table. “Thanks for lunch.”

Without looking back, I leave Sebastian sitting there, watching as I walk away.

four

Sebastian

It would take me an entire day to list all the women I’ve dated. Being in the spotlight has its perks, but it also means that everything I do eventually makes headlines.

Finding someone to play the role of my girlfriend wouldn’t be difficult. I know plenty of women who would jump at the chance for a spot in the limelight. But it wouldn’t take long for news of a fake relationship to surface, and the last thing I need is more bad press. That’s why Ava is the perfect candidate.

She’s my coach’s daughter, but no one outside our circle knows who she is. She’s quiet, private, and totally removed from the media circus that surrounds me. By the time our arrangement ends, we could stage a breakup—she’d tell her father it was because I was more focused on my game, and we’d both be off the hook.

The problem? She won’t agree to my proposal.

After a grueling day of training, I hit the showers and bump into an old friend, Miguel.

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