Page 10 of Fore-Ever Yours

“Yes, I mean, no. I don’t know.” I chuckle.

I realize how much I need this, yet the whole situation still feels wildly irrational.

“Look—” Beth rises to her feet and steps closer. Her intense eyes lock onto mine. “I need a job. One in the field I’ve studied for. You’re offering me that. The whole fake girlfriend part was unexpected, but it’s only a little acting, right? I mean, we could pull it off. Look at all of the commotion caused by one photograph.”

Exactly what Travis was saying.

“This isn’t me. I don’t do publicity stunts. I keep my head down and focus on my career.”

“Now, you can leave that stuff to me,” Beth reassures me with a confident smile.

I blink at her, surprised at the fierce determination in her eyes. She’s right, of course. This isn’t just about a fake relationship. It’s about a job for her, and it’s about my reputation and career for me. I need her just as much as she needs this job.

“Okay,” I say finally, my mouth dry. “Let’s do it.”

“Alright! Where should we start?”

“Let’s get a contract first. Make sure you really know what you’re getting yourself into.”

The corners of her mouth twitch upwards into a smirk. “Don’t worry, I’m not so easily scared off.”

After asking her if she’s absolutely sure and her rolling her eyes at me, I video call Travis.

“Hey, kid. How’d it go?”

“Travis, meet Beth. Beth, this is my agent, Travis Holt.”

“Hello, Beth. Great to meet you.”

“You too,” she says cheerily.

“I’m dialing in Matthew’s lawyer so he can review the contract with you.”

I raise an eyebrow in surprise. “You have one already?”

“I had them draw it up just in case. I…had a feeling.”

I shake my head at him. But this is why he’s my agent. His gut is never wrong. That’s why I’m trusting him on this whole pretend-dating situation. I know he has my best interests at heart.

My lawyer, John, introduces himself and then continues, “Let’s get this started, shall we? I’ll run through the basic terms to confirm both of you understand what’s being asked of each other.”

“Beth, you’ll travel with Matthew for the next four months. Every day, you’ll follow him in his routine and do whatever else you need to capture who Matthew is as his brand manager. You’ll attend events, and in public, you’ll play the role of his girlfriend. Do you have any questions?”

“I’d like to be able to tell a friend and my family. This requires a pretty big lie, but I can’t lie to all of them. And I’ll need someone to talk to about all of this. They can sign an NDA.”

“Matthew, the final decision is up to you but we advise against it. The more people who know, the more likely there can be a slip up.”

They’re right. The more people who know, the more chances this gets out. And if people find out we’re frauds? It’ll be awful for both of us.

I turn to Beth, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of uncertainty. “Can you keep it to one person?”

She pauses for a moment before giving a small nod. “Okay.”

“Alright, I’ll need that name.” John’s deep voice interjects.

“Desiree Pearson.”

John’s gaze shifts to me. “Anyone for you, Matthew?”

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