Page 9 of Fore-Ever Yours

“Beth Mitchell, soon-to-be Brand Manager.”

“Well, I—my agent—has an idea. Two, actually…Would you rather the good or the potentially ludicrous idea first?”

“Let’s go with the safe, good option.”

“I can do that. So, I need to create my brand. A brand that will show the fans a glimpse—and I mean a small, tiny insight—into my personal life. I need to show them who Matthew Wilkes is and attract sponsors and brands who will partner with me. At least that’s what my agent is telling me.”

Score! Maybe making a complete fool of myself in the coffee shop wasn’t a total loss. I could start my own business after all, even if I have to find another job while I grow it, but at least I’ll have something now. Things are looking up!

“I just finished school and an internship doing that. I worked with small businesses and influencers and walked them through how to monetize themselves. So that’s right up my alley. And as it so happens, I’m looking for clients.”

“But I like my privacy. Will you be able to attain the public image without sharing every second of my life?”

“Absolutely! We’ll have an initial meeting about what is and isn’t on the table to share. I’ll create a plan based on that. I can help create content and run your socials for you. We can—”

He holds up his hand. “Before you go too much into it, there’s the second part…”

“Right…the ludicrous idea.” I nod. “Okay, shoot.”

I mean how crazy could it be? That post I was reading stated he had some tournaments coming up. I’ll probably have to travel a little bit, totally fine. That actually sounds more than fine, a little fun actually.

He rises to his feet and begins pacing back and forth behind the couch. His brows are knitted together, and it looks like he’s trying to solve an unsolvable problem.

“I need you to be my…girlfriend.”

“Your what?”

He pauses and looks straight at me. “Girlfriend?” he says hesitantly. “Fake girlfriend. We run with this rumor. You and I fake date. We stage photos, go to events together like a real couple.”

“We’d pretend to be in a relationship?”

“It was my agent’s idea. This rumor has blown up. My few small sponsors like that the attention I’m getting also means they’re being seen.”

“So I would be your fake girlfriendandbrand manager?”

“Yes, and I’d pay you, of course.”

We’ve all heard about celebrities “dating” other people for public relations or to attract a certain brand. So, not a completely out of the ballpark idea. I just never thoughtIwould be involved in one. But I’d also get to do what I love and got my degree in—I’d have a big girl job.

Can I pretend to be someone’s girlfriend, though?

He continues pacing. “I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have come. You probably already have a boyfriend, I mean, how could you not?” He starts heading for the door. “Beth, it was nice to meet you and—”

“I’m single,” I blurt, heart racing. “I’ll do it.”

What am I saying?

He quickly turns around. “You will?”

“I’m in.”

Chapter 4

Matthew

“Areyousure?You’dhave to travel with me but you don’t even know me. I’m a complete stranger.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of it?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

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