Page 5 of Faking it with My Billionaire Bosses

Price cleared his throat and leaned forward, focused completely on Paul. “What drastic thing are you talking about?”

“Why’d Samantha think we needed this? We’re squeaky clean. We’re downright boring.” Cole made a face at the mention of our manager. “Drastic… I don’t like the sound of drastic.”

Paul sighed and stood up, probably trying to make himself larger compared to the three of us. “Drastic probably wasn’t the right word. I’ve scoured through your socials and gone through every online forum available. Yes, you three are squeaky clean. You’re ideal clients. There’s a murmuring in the fan groups, though.”

I started to check out again. My mind was still on the sexy woman I’d met the night before. Sonnie Morgan. Just the thought of her brought an awareness to my nerves. Her eyes had haunted me all night.

“Because the three of you haven’t publicly dated, basically ever, there are women who are wondering if you’re maybe not straight.” Paul squirmed as he got my attention again. He stuck his fingers between his neck and his stiff collar and tugged slightly. “Obviously, it doesn’t matter to me if you are and I’m not implying anything.”

Price was the first of us to speak. “Okay? They think we’re gay?”

I sighed. “Why would that matter?”

Cole rapped his knuckles on the table and shoved his chair away from the table. “Yeah, I don’t have time for this. Am I supposed to freak out and rip my shirt in masculine horror that people think we’re gay? I don’t give a fuck what people think, but if you’re implying that people thinking we’re gay is a bad thing, I’m going to have to politely suggest you fuck yourself and we can call this done.”

Paul’s face had taken on the color of strawberry compote. “No, no! Not me. I’m… I’m gay myself and it’s refreshing to hear your take on people thinking you’re gay.”

“Why are you suggesting it’s a bad thing then?” I wondered if Sonnie knew who I was and ifshethought I was gay.

“Okay, that’s where this gets interesting. Most of your fanbase is made up of women. Research has suggested that women are more likely to tune into men who they are attracted to, but also to men who they feel are available.” Paul saw the sour looks on our faces and rushed on. “I didn’t write the research. I’m just telling you what it suggests. From personal experience, I’ve watched men fade into nothingness after coming out as gay. Theinterest in them drops unless they shift into gay bestie mode, which I don’t imagine any of you doing.”

“That research sucks.” Price shook his head and leaned back in his seat. “I mean, really sucks. If we’re not fuckable, we’re not worth watching?”

“You should try being a woman.” Paul sat back down and folded his hands on the table in front of him. “I just heard a story about a teen actress getting turned down for a father-daughter role because the director didn’t think she was fuckable. The problem isn’t new or fresh. I’m just explaining to you that if the message that you three are gay keeps growing, it could hurt your brand. I don’t need to tell you if people stop watching you and lose interest, the storefronts suffer as well.”

My scowl was fierce. “What the fuck? Who was the director?”

“I’m sorry. Just like with you guys, I signed an NDA. I’m not allowed to say anything more than what I did.” He met each of our gazes, finding his groove in the presentation. “You just have to go on a few dates with women. Let there be a little commotion in the tabloids. Play coy with your audience.”

Cole was reaching his limit and then some, it seemed. “There’s a reason we’re not already dating women, Paul, and it’s not because we’re gay. We’re fucking busy. I don’t have time to put on a show for the tabloids.”

“Your other option is to do nothing.”

Price grunted. “I like that option.”

“You can do nothing and eventually watch your brand go silently into the nothingness the way so many do. It’s a cutthroat world.”

I cut Paul off. “We bake fucking cupcakes and pastries. What are you talking about?”

He shrugged. “I ran the idea by Samantha already and she agrees with me. You three need to publicly go on a few dates. It doesn’t have to be all the time. I know you’re busy. Samanthasuggested I provide you a list of approved women who would agree to the dates and sign NDAs so nothing would come out after.”

I stood up then and walked towards the door with my best friends hot on my heels. “I don’t remember seeingpimpon your card, Paul. No, thanks. If we agree to this, we can get our own dates.”

“That’s a bigif, too.” Price slammed the door behind us and we strode towards the elevators together, the three of us moving in sync the way we always did.

We’d known each other and been as close as brothers for thirty-two years. That sort of thing just happened after a while, especially since we spent nearly every day together. It suddenly felt a little strange, though, and I wanted to strangle Paul for that.

Cole, having the same thoughts I was, jabbed the call button and looked at us. “Do they think we’re gaytogether?”

Price snorted. “You two wish. Everyone knows I’m way out of your fucking league.”

I was quiet as we got on the elevator. My mind was back at the bar, picturing the way Sonnie had thrown her arms around me and smiled like she had a million secrets to tease me with. She’d turned me down for a date, but she’d also said she knew I’d give her amazing orgasms. She was busy and had a lot on her plate, clearly, but if I could help her out while getting closer to her, wasn’t that a win-win?

“What’s that look about?” Price narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ve been oddly quiet today. You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

“I might have an idea.”

“What kind of idea?” Cole reached forward and hit the emergency stop button. “Spit it out.”

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