Page 25 of Faking It with my Hockey Crush

“No emotional attachment,” she begins. “This relationship is a façade meant to serve a mutual benefit. Developing feelings will only complicate the arrangement. This stipulation is pivotal for both parties to maintain clarity and prevent misunderstandings that could jeopardize our personal and professional lives.”

She pauses and looks up at me. “How are we so far?”

“Great,” I say with a nod. “Keep going.”

“Okay.” Looking back at the page, she continues, “Professional boundaries. Our interactions, both in public and private, should adhere to a set protocol that avoids any unnecessary intimacy. This includes public displays of affection, communication, and living arrangements that reinforce the temporary nature of the union. By maintaining a professional demeanor, we can navigate social situations without raising suspicion while ensuring that our personal lives remain unaffected.”

“So, what are the protocols?” I ask.

Emma shrugs. “I was thinking we could figure those out and add them in later. I haven’t done this before. I didn’t really know how it was going to work.”

I’ll be honest, it’s probably the first time I’ve actually seen or heard her unsure of herself. While she’s looking at me like I’m supposed to know what to do, there’s a softness to her expression that I find even more attractive than the woman already is.

That, and you like to be in control.

Sure.

“We can come back to that, but it sounds good so far,” I say, nodding for her to continue.

“A review system.” She looks up at me, leaving the page for a moment. “I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I figure a few months, right?”

I don’t know the answer to that, either, and I shrug. “Maybe.”

The two of us are looking completely clueless, and then, seeing the other’s expression, we laugh at the fact that we’re both lost in the same boat. Emma has a sweet, soft laugh, which shouldn’t surprise me. I’ve seen her smile before in our sessions, but this is the first time I’ve heard that sound, and I can’t help gazing at her.

A flash of discomfort crosses her face, and she drops her eyes to the paper again. “Okay, where was I? Oh, yes. A reviewsystem to assess the arrangement’s effectiveness. This involves regular check-ins where both parties can voice concerns and make adjustments as needed, ensuring transparency and mutual respect. By doing so, we can create an environment where we can both fulfill our roles without overstepping boundaries.”

She lifts her head again, waiting for my thoughts.

“Sounds good,” I say.

What else am I going to say? Clearly, she’s thought this through way more than I did.

“A confidentiality clause,” she continues, after returning her eyes to the document. “Due to the proximity this relationship incurs, we agree to safeguard each other’s private lives from public scrutiny.” She looks up again. “I get that we need to be in the public eye. This is what this whole arrangement is about—us being seen. But we’re going to learn things about each other that we want kept out of that circus. Besides, when all this ends, I want my reputation to be in the same condition as it is now.”

“I can’t guarantee that,” I joke with a smirk.

But she doesn’t laugh, and I suddenly realize that I need to be smarter.

“Sorry.” I raise my hands. “Just a joke.”

She looks at me for another long second, and then she says, “Do you have anything more to add?”

I shake my head. “Not right now,” I say. “But I’ll show it to my agent, Phil. He might be able to help us with some more ideas. He’s used to contracts.”

She nods, and for a long moment, neither of us says anything. Clearly, Emma’s done with her expectations, and I don’t know what else to say. But then I realize I haven’t said the most important thing.

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this, Emma. Truly. I know I was crazy asking you to get involved, but you were just the perfect person.”

She frowns then. “What do you mean, the perfect person?”

I’m wary that I might frighten her away, but at the same time, we need to start this thing off with clarity and honesty, so why not now?

“Well, for a start, you’re mentally stable.”

Darn it, Ryan. Really?

She lifts her eyebrows in surprise. “That’s setting the bar pretty low, isn’t it?”

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