A smart man knew his limits, and for the sake of my sanity, I could not work with Olivia Sutton. “No.”
“And I take lead on the account.”
Didn’t she understand I was offering her something better—money? She could afford a year sabbatical to find herself a better job. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Then no deal,” Olivia said.
“I’ll give you a suitcase of cash.” It was not lost on me that someone had once thought throwing money at a problem would makemefall in line.
Olivia’s pert chin rose. “I don’t want money.”
Panic clawed at my insides. “Lots of zeroes.”
“Want to know where you can stick those zeroes?” Same old Olivia. Arrogant and stubborn to her own detriment. “But out of morbid curiosity,” she said, “let’s hear more about this ‘plan.’ Do share the details.”
“I hear that sarcasm and bitterness,” I told her. “See, my wife is more of a gentle, soft-spoken woman.” It was everything I could do not to laugh at Olivia’s outraged face. “My sweet wife would move in with me, and we’d spend the worst fall and winter of our lives convincing everyone that we’re married. In exchange for a large sum, you’d attend events with me and occasionally hold my hand in public, and we’d both look like stable, drama-free people.”
Olivia crossed her arms over the strapless bodice of her dress.
“Fine.” My volume kicked up a notch. “Do you have a better idea?”
“You’re the one who benefits here,” Olivia countered just as loudly. “Iwill lose my job. What’s happened this weekend is still chaos and negative press for Flair. I’m no better than my stupid co-worker who got caught in the hot tub.”
“This isn’t blowing over, Olivia. I’d say the buzz is just getting started. You’ve married Silicon’s Valley’s current golden child, and whether either of us likes it or not, the world is watching.”
Slamming coffee pods and mugs, Olivia set about making herself another cup of mediocre coffee. Her back to me, she mumbled to herself while she worked.
“You don’t have to make your decision today.” It might’ve been as foolhardy as walking into a bear’s den, but I approached her anyway. “But please think about what will happen when you leave this hotel. I can promise you there’s a vulturous group of paparazzi out there. You won’t be able to take one step outside without being swarmed by their cameras and questions. Your face will continue to be on TV and all over the internet. Get ready to be the latest meme.”
Leaving her coffee gurgling as it brewed, Olivia stomped to the dresser and began throwing clothes into a suitcase.
Olivia was even beautiful when she was mad, but that had always been the case. “Or,” I said, watching her pause mid-toss of a dress, “we can walk out of this hotel hand in hand, a couple who’s ecstatic that they’ve gotten married. We take charge of the narrative and spin it in our favor. We don’t have to be victims of our circumstances.” I shrugged as she zipped her carry-on. “Otherwise we both lose our credibility—and a lot more. You only have to live with me three months. Think about it.”
She whirled back around, her carry-on swinging from the hand that now wore a wedding ring. “I don’t want to think about it. I am not marrying you, Lachlan. My dignity’s worth more than money, and that’s final.”
* * *
Two hours later,we exited the hotel.
I’d secured a waiting ride at a service entrance, and when Olivia and I wheeled our luggage outside, the bright Vegas sun greeted us. As did a dozen reporters.
Lights flashed as photographers surrounded us. Reporters lobbed questions like grenades. I threw my arm around Olivia and tucked her to my side.
“Mr. Hayes, tell us about your new bride!”
“Lachlan, why the quickie marriage? Do you have more than one big announcement this winter?”
“How does it feel to be a victim of another drunken Vegas wedding?”
“Will your wife join you at the movie premiere?”
“Mrs. Hayes, how will this news be received back home in your small town?”
Olivia dug her heels into the pavement and came to a decisive stop. “Give Flair the account,” she hissed toward my ear.
“Lachlan,” a reporter shouted, “are you resurrecting your old party-boy ways? How does it feel knowing Wall Street is watching?”
I looked at Olivia and nodded my head. “Done,” I whispered. “Whatever you want.”
