Page 28 of The Fake Dating Plan

“I don’t have ten thousand euros to spend on a plate.”

“It’s actually thirty-five and a table costs ten times that.”

“Ah. I see.” The server came with the wine and poured it. I took my glass and sipped. It had an oak and fruity flavor that made the taste buds sing. “And where do I come in? Unless this dinner is about you bragging about getting invited.”

“That’s just the thing. I want you to be my partner.”

She spat out her drink in a red spray. I had gotten her attention. I don’t know why I thought getting her to agree would be difficult, but from the looks of it, she was convinced and we hadn’t had our starter yet. She froze as the server who had seen the incident came and wiped the table and went back again. Then she unfroze and burst out laughing. Okay, so I read that wrong. Then she continued laughing.

“Did someone tell you, you’re as funny as your mother?”

“You’re the first.”

“What makes you think I would want to go to some gala in Spain with you as your partner?”

“Why not?”

“Did your mother say something to you? Is this some trick you two are pulling?”

“No.” I really had to talk to Mom. She can’t be meddling in my life like that. She never cared for who I dated. Heck, she disdained all of them. Well, all of them except Emilia.

“But you want me to go with you as your partner because…”

“Did you think I’m asking you out as my girlfriend?”

She dropped her head down, letting her hair fall to cover her blush.

“Trust me, you and I are not going there, ever again.”

“Excuse me? Did I hallucinate the previous conversation we had?”

“You were only supposed to fool my mother into thinking we’re dating, nothing more.”

“And what was that kiss?”

She got me there. “I apologized about that, didn’t I? This Gala is another apology. I’m trying to make it up to you. To your company.”

She shifted in her seat and uncrossed her arms. “I’m listening.” I didn’t fail to notice that her breasts were no longer pressed up. Telling myself that I was over her wasn’t helping it.

“I thought it would be great for Steel Cute to be seen at one of Fashion’s biggest events. That would only help push the big publicity you’ve been generating lately.”

“It will also help Celeste’s brand, I assume.”

“That too. But it’s a win-win, don’t you think?”

The server chose that moment to come with the food, and I had to wait for her response like a kid asking a crush on his first date. I wasn’t crushing on her. Except I couldn’t stop focusing on her lips. How they had felt the last time they touched mine. How she felt when her body pressed against mine.

“Why as your partner?” she asked after the server was gone. “Couldn’t you get one of your girlfriends to wear our products?”

“I’m sure all of New York knows I’m single.”

“Really? I wasn’t aware.”

Liar. “Anyway, it’s better if you’re seen wearing them. You gotta admit, you’re the face of your brand. You sell your own pieces better than any model.”

“When you don’t have the money, hustle is the only option.”

She was selling herself too short. “No one else wears your jewelry better than you.”

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