Page 28 of The Plus One Contract

I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who asks so many questions, but this is a long flight, so I decide getting it over with now is better.

“Investors. Executives. The people who sign the checks.”

“And this trip?”

I hesitate before answering. “We’re close to closing a deal.”

She immediately picks up on the wording. “Close, but not there yet?”

Dipping my chin, I smirk. “You catch on quick.”

She shrugs. “You finance guys have a way of saying things without saying things. It’s a gift.”

I can’t help but feel a smile curling at the corner of my mouth. “We have a final meeting. One last dinner. Then we’ll see.”

“See what?”

I glance at my phone, debating for a second before holding it up to show her the last message from Julian.

Her brows knit together as she reads. “Another reminder that the fundraiser is in three days. Be there. Bring someone. Anyone. They won’t believe I’m settled.”

I take my phone back, pocketing it. “My business partner thinks I should have someone with me.”

“Someone?”

“A woman someone.”

“Why?”

I rub my hand along my jaw. “Our potential investor is a family guy. A very old-school family guy. His wife is the one who runs the show behind the scenes, and they like to invest in people, not just businesses.”

“What does that mean?”

I lean back in my seat. “It means, in their minds, a man who’s committed to his relationship is a man who’s committed to his business.”

She blinks. “That’s insane.”

“Welcome to my world.”

“So what, you need a fake wife or something to impress them?”

I let out a slow breath, adjusting my watch. “Maybe not a wife, but something serious enough that they believe it’s long-term. Julian seems to think it wouldn’t hurt.”

“Julian’s your business partner?”

I nod.

“That’s ridiculous. What does having a girlfriend have to do with running a company?”

“Nothing, but in some industries, perception matters more than reality.”

“You going to rent a date for the night and hope for the best?”

“You make it sound so romantic.”

She scoffs. “You make it sound normal.”

“I never said it was normal.”

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