Page 26 of Down & Dirty

“It’s a logical relationship the press will buy. We work together, of course an office romance would sprout to life between us. And,” he paused, a smirk on his face as he swiped his hand through his curly brown hair. “I know that you won’t ever develop feelings for me.”

Another unladylike guffaw bubbled up. “That’s a goddamn guarantee!”

“See, it works.” He looked like a kid on Christmas morning, eyeing me optimistically. “So, you’re in?”

I settled back onto the pile of pillows behind me. This was the craziest thing I’d ever heard. And as much as the proximity was in his pro column, I wasn’t as sold that being near him more was a good thing. But, if this kept me from having to eat into my savings, I couldn’t say no. For the price of a few photos and some fake smiles I could keep Tommy and Geena happy, and keep my dream of finally getting back to school alive at the same time.

“I need the details in writing. How much of a time commitment are we talking?”

“And how much money, I presume?” he asked cautiously, seemingly still unsure I was taking this seriously.

I nodded, feeling uncomfortable again. “Yeah, that too.”

“I’ll draw up some ideas and you can look them over and offer feedback.” He walked to the door, pausing in the hallway and turning back. “How do you want to handle it with Micah?”

Micah. He was too young to understand much about adult relationships, but if this thing was in the press, then Tommy would see it. And Ronnie. And my folks. None of whom I could imagine accepting this farce easily. But even if Micah buying it wasn’t a concern, there’d be no way we’d be able to keep it from him entirely.

A shiver of apprehension rang through me. Maybe this was a bad idea.

Cory sensed my anxiety. “What if I’m just mom’s friend? Just like any of the other members of the team. No photos. No talking about him in the press. We leave him out of it entirely.”

It was somewhat startling to realize Cory had actually put thought into this. Aboutmyson. I could see in his eyes that he meant it. This plan might be good for both of us, but he wanted to make sure it wasn’t bad for my little boy. And that made me like Cory, just a little bit.

I tried to imagine it. Me in the place of all those models I’d seen Cory with over the years. It wasn’t just about the differences in our looks—they were all stilettos and silky cocktail dresses, where I was heeled boots and leather pants. It was more than that.If I put myself in the position for it, comparisons would be made. I knew I did all right for myself, but that level of scrutiny— the kind Cory would actively seek out in the form of paparazzi and Page Six columns—would be far harsher on me. I liked to think I didn’t care about other people’s opinions, but no one was impervious.

But as he stood there, patiently waiting me out, I realized something else. I was different from all the other women he’d dated beforebecauseI wanted a life away from all this. Someday I wanted to get my degree and settle down in one place. I wanted to raise my son in a stable home where he could have friends and we’d build a life that I hadn’t had since I was nearly his age.

And the best way to get to that life was to take this job. It was insane, but it would start us down a path I’d never given up wanting.

I found Cory’s eyes again as I said, “No involvement for him in this at all. He’ll be seeing you at the races anyway, but we can find some time for him to maybe get to know you a little better, that way he’s not as curious when your name comes up at Tommy’s.”

Cory nodded. “And you won’t tell your ex or your family, right? We need this thing to be as convincing as possible. So you can’t tell anyone about our arrangement.”

“Like I’d brag about being paid to be your fake girlfriend?”

“Hey, I know girls talk.”

“Yeah, about how stupid men are. Not about how we’re accepting money to endure their stupidity.”

Cory grinned as he turned to leave. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

After doing my best to clean up in Cory’s bathroom, I swiped my keys off the kitchen counter. “You’re sure I can’t drive you back to your car?”

The more coffee I had, and the more my brain came back online, the more I felt indebted to him. He’d taken care of me when I’d given him zero reason to. Keeping me from driving,sleeping on the couch, even making me coffee; none of these were things I’d have imagined Cory being the type to do. But I was wrong. And the more I admitted that, the less irritating I found him.

Which was helpful, since I was considering going into business with the man.

“I’m good. Billy’s coming by anyway, so he can drop me off after.”

“You guys are close, huh?”

“He’s the best. I’d be lost without him.”

The admiration was clear in his eyes. “And he’s somehow put up with you all these years. Maybe I should ask him for some pointers, now that we’re going to have to be together more.”

Cory leaned his hip into the counter. “Planning on enjoying that time, are ya?”

And that was my cue to go. “Survive not thrive, is more like it.”

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