Page 16 of Fool’s Gold

Norah wokeMatt before Jack ever emerged from the bedroom. “Well this is far from what I expected to see this morning, considering what’s on the front page ofAtlanta Today.” She looked down at Matt with her lips pursed, looking for all the world like a disapproving owl.

“Ugh.” He sat up and tried to rub some life into his face. “Gram, you know that was all for show.”

“And what a show you gave all these society reporters!” She sniffed and held out her tablet. Maybe some older people had trouble with technology, but Norah Taggart wasn’t among them. She loved having a tool she could keep in a bag on her walker that contained as many books as she might want, that could connect her with the wide world outside their apartment, without her having to risk another fall.

And one she could use to torment her grandson whenever she felt like it too.

Matt knew without having to look what picture was on the front page. The headline and first paragraph made him cringe, even so.

embattled ceo takes time for frolic

Matt Taggart, interim CEO of disgraced pharmaceutical firm Besse, is meant to be working to rein in his wayward company’s homicidal impulses. Last night, however, he took the evening off for a meet and greet with Prince Daniel of Corvia, in Atlanta on a diplomatic mission. In between munching on passed hors d’oeuvres and sipping expensive champagne, Taggart found time for a bit of flirtation with Jack Vadas, an art historian specializing in French artifacts dating to the Dark Ages.

Matt groaned and pushed the tablet back at Norah. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He sighed. “I guess that was the whole point of this ridiculous charade.”

“What was? Keeping the gossipmongers in business? Well, you’ve certainly done that.” She stared at the photo again. “He must be stronger than he looks if he can hold you up with one arm like that.”

“Er—please don’t.” As a matter of fact, Jack had been strong, improbably strong. Matt hadn’t thought about it at the time. He’d been too lost in the sudden outburst of heat. How long had it been since anyone had kissed him, never mind treated him to a spontaneous ignition of passion and affection like that?

And of course, it was all a ruse to take down an assailant.

Norah pinched his arm. “You’re lonely. It’s okay. You’ve been working hard for a long time. Not everyone understands that. Soon this will all be over and you can spend some time finding a real partner, not that guy.”

Matt huffed out a laugh. “That’s easier said than done, Gram. You know what the company did.”

“So what? It wasn’t you. You’re trying to fix it, inasmuch as it can be fixed.” She carded her fingers through his dark hair.

“I know. But I’m still the face of the companynow. And there aren’t a whole lot of men out there who are going to want to tie themselves to Besse at this point. The ones who will, are only going to be in it for the money.” He chuckled, but there wasn’t any humor in it. “It’s fine, Gram. I knew what I was getting into.”

“No, you didn’t. You were already associated with the company when you took the ‘promotion.’?” She glowered toward the door because she couldn’t glare at anyone specific. “You took on the job because you knew your reputation was shot anyway, so you might as well make the best of things.”

Matt grinned at that. “Fair. But it is what it is. It’s not such a bad life. I got you a big house in the city, right? No stairs. Nice big kitchen.”

She pulled him in for a hug. “You’re a good boy, Matt. And you will find someone. Or I’ll find someone for you.”

Matt tried not to let himself shudder. “Gram, the last person you tried to set me up with was that wrestler from Chattanooga.”

“He was very handsome. Abs you could wash clothes on.”

“True. But his absolute refusal to wear a shirt—ever—made it a little difficult to bring him to corporate events. And let’s hope the power holds out so we don’t need to wash clothes on people’s torsos anymore, huh?”

“You’re no fun, Matt.” She laughed and went to start breakfast.

Jack staggered out of the bedroom, and Matt slunk inside to do a quick workout and get dressed.

He didn’t want to think about whatever Jack and Norah were going to talk about. He had a brief, horrifying moment where he was afraid she was going to try to do laundry on parts of his anatomy, but pushed it aside. Jack was an adult. He could say no.

Besides, he had no idea what Jack’s abs looked like. He didn’t want to know. They might be better than the Chattanooga wrestler’s, and that would be a disaster.

They got through breakfast without drama, although Matt couldn’t meet Jack’s eyes and Jack couldn’t meet Norah’s. Once that was over with, they went to the office, greeted the protestors, and made their way to the C-Suite.

If Matt had wanted a relaxing day, he was doomed to frustration. Husniya followed him into his office as he and Jack walked toward it. “Matt, the board wants a virtual meeting at ten. They’re not willing to take no for an answer.”

Matt sat down. “Let me guess. They saw the headlines too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Everyone did. Comments on social media are evenly split between anger that you’re out there socializing when people are dying and admiration for being alovely example of love between men.” She glared at Jack. “There are twelve RPF fanfics on the leading fan fiction sites about you two already.”

Matt frowned. “What’s RPF?”

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