Page 18 of My Silver Lining

“You didn’t stretch the truth, Wildcat. You lied. I can’t condone that kind of behavior,” I smirked. “Is this because you’re still in love with the boy-band shit show you used to date?”

“No. I can’t stand the guy. But I haven’t met anyone, probably because I kind of hate men at the moment. No offense.”

“None taken. Being hated by you feels like a compliment.”

She snapped her fingers in my face. “Focus, Rafael. I have no time for games. It’s my grandfather’s eightieth birthday next weekend, and they want me to bring my boyfriend to the family party. I’ve told them that he has a bad virus—you know, the kind that’s super contagious. It’s a reasonable explanation for why he can’t make it. But they texted this morning and said that mycousin Charlotte, the ice queen from hell, is telling everyone I made the whole thing up and that my boyfriend is fake.”

She gaped at me like this was the most incredulous thing she’d ever heard.

“So, Charlotte would be correct, then?” I arched a brow.

“That is not the point. I denied the allegations, of course. I told them that my boyfriend was in the shower and that we’d FaceTime them in twenty minutes. I don’t have time to go find myself a fake boyfriend right now, so I need you to just come over to the house and act like the doting boyfriend. Tell them you wish you could come to the birthday party, but you don’t want to risk getting my grandparents sick. Act like you are crazy about me, and that’s it. Five minutes of your life. And I’ll owe you a favor.” She smiled like this was no big deal.

“What do they know about me?”

“What? Why does that matter? It’s a five-minute call with people you don’t know. Just roll with it. We know how theatrical you are already, so this plays into your wheelhouse.”

“Don’t try to flatter me. What do they think I do for a living?”

“I haven’t told them. They just know that I’m ridiculously in love with a man who isn’t a rock star and is an upstanding citizen. That’s all they needed.” She started to walk toward the door.

“So, if I agree to this, what do I get in return?” I already knew I would agree to it, I just wanted to see her squirm.

“What do you want?”

“Oh. If you put it that way, I could think of several things.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Hmmm… anything I want?”

She rolled her eyes, glancing at the watch on her wrist as if time was of the essence. “Try me.”

“I’d like you to crawl to me and then settle between my thighs and give me the best blow job of my life.” I knew that would pissher off, and I’d enjoy it. Not that I’d actually have her go through with it. She’d probably bite it off.

“You wish. I don’t crawl for any man. And all sexual favors are off the table.” She crossed her arms over her chest, pushing up her perky tits the slightest bit, and I internally scolded my dick for reacting.

Again.

“I figured as much,” I chuckled. “So, I’ll need you to agree to go to my boss’s wedding with me in two weeks. Put on a show like we’re ridiculously in love because he thinks I have a girlfriend.”

“So you lied about the same thing, yet you shamed me for doing it?” she huffed.

“Correct.”

“Is the wedding a one-day thing?”

“Not exactly. It’s a weekend full of events. We already have a suite at the Four Seasons booked. Your man is already spoiling you.”

“I’m asking you for five minutes, and you expect me to give you a weekend?” she hissed.

“It’s a hard line for me. That’s the deal.”

“Fine. You get me my own room, and I get to order as much room service as I want, and you throw in a massage and a facial.”

“Yes, to everything but your own room. My boss, Joseph, has a daughter.”

“And this is my problem… why?”

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