I took the open seat beside Anton Alistair, who looked like he belonged on the cover ofMen’s Healthmagazine with his tight tee shirt straining over his bulky chest and biceps. When I trailed my fingers across said bicep—all part of the plan—he raised an eyebrow.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh?” His eyebrow shot even higher, an inviting glint in his eye.
“Not that kind of favor. Well, not exactly. I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines.”
With a throaty chuckle, Anton said, “Babe, from the amount of eyeballs on us right now, everyone in thisroomhas seen the headlines. So that begs the question—if you’re with Nolan, why are you feeling me up in public?”
My throat constricted, but I ignored it.It’s fine. It’s all fine. I can fix this.“Because I’m not with Nolan. The picture of me from that night looking like, um—”
“Like you were thoroughly fucked by someone who knows what he’s doing?”
“Yes,thatpicture, is actually from after you and I hooked up at the gala. And we’re going to prove it.”
Anton rubbed his short trim beard, assessing me. “Okay. Color me intrigued. What exactly are you proposing?”
“You and I will pretend to have a public relationship to spin the story our way. No doubt there are pictures of us dancing that night, and probably some idiot with a cell phone is getting some of us right now. We’ll convince the world that I’m just another one of your hot-and-fast romances. It’s the only way to save all of our reputations.”And maybe it will be enough to save their engagement and keep Cressida’s father from releasing his blackmail.
“An interesting idea. Does Nolan approve?”
“I haven’t told him yet.”
Anton’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I like it even better now. Just imagining the look on his face when the first pictures of us go public...”
“Don’t be mean. I’ll tell Daphne on you.” I meant it as a joke, but at the mention of Daphne, Anton’s eyes darkened. As much as Daphne denied it, I knew there was something between them, which is why I’d run my idea by her first.Maybe she’ll tell me about it one day.
“I’ll play nice, I promise,” said Anton. “I fucking hateThe Daily Gab—wouldn’t even use the damn thing as toilet paper because it’s so toxic—so I’d love nothing more than to watch it burn.”
“Oh. Great.” I’d expected to have to work harder to convince him, so his easy agreement threw me off.Seems like I made the right choice in an ally.
“But are you ready for this, Val?” Anton asked, covering my hand with his massive one. “The media is vicious, and you’ll be putting your entire life on display. So be sure you can handle it, because once we put this out there, there’s no taking it back.”
At his words, my stomach churned. I was in so far over my head, but the only way out was through. Opening myself up to public scrutiny was our only option to re-spin the narrative in our favor—or else I’d be labeled a home-wrecker hussy, Nolan would lose his job and inheritance, and Cressida’s dirty laundry would be aired for all to see. Erica had made sure I was going to be dragged into the public eye—but I had the power to choose how I was seen. And I was taking it.
Squaring my shoulders, I said, “I’m sure.”
He nodded, looking at me as if I was a formidable opponent.Almost as if he…respects me.“I’ll want something in return.”
“I’m not getting you a date with Daphne.”
His jaw muscle ticked. “I am not interested in dating Daphne.”
Liar.But no point in antagonizing my newfound fake boyfriend. “So what do you want?”
“I want to break away from the Alistair family business of tabloids and scummy real estate deals and start my own brokerage. Then I’ll use the capital to launch a contracting company for luxury renovation services.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“You’re going to help me secure my first client—Hale’s Peak. Convince Nolan to sell it to me instead of Bridgeport Rock Quarry. I’ll partner with him to renovate the place top to bottom, and if we entice the right buyers, we can sell it at a major profit…”
He regaled me with details of his proposal, but my brain had stopped working after the wordsrock quarry.The room spun and I slapped my palms atop the bar to steady myself. “Nolan is selling Hale’s Peak?”
Anton let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his forehead. “Goddamn it, Keller. Keeping shit from his woman. Sounds like you two need to have a discussion.”
“Oh yes. We willabsolutelybe discussing this.”
“You’re selling Hale’s Peak to a fuckingrock quarry?”
