Page 38 of Heartless
“Me?” She frowned. “What if you don’t like the result?”
“You have a lot of flaws, Madison, but poor taste is not one of them.”
She stared at me for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as calling it trust, but you’re welcome.” I laced my fingers together and placed my hands on top of my desk. “Now, another important topic we failed to discuss last night.”
“I’m listening.”
“We can’t let anyone here think we’re dating. This has to be for your family’s benefit only.”
Madison waved me off. “Don’t worry about that. I’m not eager to become the subject of ridicule around here, and sleeping with the boss is something I don’t want associated with my name.”
“Great. I’m glad we’re on the same page. When are we breaking the news to your mother, then?”
“I’ll deal with that. I think I will keep her at bay for a few weeks.”
Disappointment washed over me. I thought the sham would take a sizable chunk of my off-work hours.
“Okay,” I pretended that was fine by me. “I assume you know your brother and I are friends. I informed him I was interested in you. It felt like the right thing to do.”
“That’s fine. I don’t care what they are actually thinking. I just need my mother to back off.”
“Good,” I nodded.
“Is that all?” She asked, ready to stand, and I just nodded again.
“Madison?” I called her, just as she was opening the door to leave.
“Yes?” She only half-turned in my direction.
“Don’t go behind my back again. That’s the exact reason I don’t trust you. You’re always sneaking around. It’s unnerving.”
A smug smile formed on her lips. “Got it. No more scheming.”
Chapter Thirteen
Madison
Ialready had a plan for telling my mother about Parker. She would soon call to talk to me about George and I would present her with a new love interest. So when the word Mom flashed across my screen two days after my blind date, I wasn’t surprised one bit.
“Mom. Hi. How is it going?”
“Your brother told me.”
Her tone made it clear she was offended.
“Told you what?” I pretended to wonder.
“About you and Parker Wilson.”
“Do you disapprove?” I asked.
“Don’t mock me, Madison,” she warned. “I was telling Tyler how you treated poor George the other night and your brother toldme you were dating Parker. You have to invite the man to dinner. I have to explain that the blind date wasn’t my fault.”
“Wasn’t it though? You were the one who arranged it.”
“The man,” my mother’s high-pitched voice pierced my ear, “walked in on you on a date with someone else.”
