Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“And he clearly likes you, so stop inventing problems,” she says. “We’re in the problem-solving business here. You could even say you guys were celebrating something special last night. Something that would explain why you both got carried away. The point is, you’re legitimate. You belong in his world. And as someone who belongs, you are granted a certain amount of protection from the worst of this. Not to mention the fact that more people will be inclined to stick up for you if you aren’t a one-night stand. Slut-shaming is real, Em. As much as we’d like to believe that we’ve left all that nonsense behind and a woman can get her bang on as freely as a man, we both know that’s not true. Women still face consequences for embracing their sexuality that men don’t.”
“I understand what you’re trying to do, but it’s too late for a reframe, Maya,” I say as I resume my pacing. “I’m already a meme.”
“Which is exactly why you need to act now, before it gets any worse. Change the narrative and you’ll stop the social media bleeding. Then, you spend a few weeks playing the boring, dutiful girlfriend. Go for lunch at a stuffy restaurant, buy a Christmas tree, do some holiday shopping for his—”
“I can’t, Maya. Even if I wanted to.” I bite my lip hard enough to send pain flashing through my jaw. “I completely shut him down. Hard. Gave him the Big Goodbye. Practically slammed the door in his face.”
“So? Men are forgiving when they’re horny, and he’s clearly horny for you.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I say, cheeks flushing hot as I imagine Oliver reading all the terrible things the internet’s had to say about me. He’s probably decided I’m repulsive by now. “And even if you’re right, I didn’t get his number.”
“What?!” she bleats loud enough to make me pull my cell away from my ear. “You didn’t get his number?”
“Nope. And I refused to give him mine. I was too busy being outraged that he’d lied about being famous. Or infamous. Or whatever it is that royal-adjacent people are.”
“Okay, fine, then we find another way,” Maya says, clearly not ready to let this go. “What about social media? Does he have any? You could slip into his DMs.”
“His Instagram has a blue check and two million followers. I’m not sliding into those DMs.”
“Then leave a message at his office. You said he owns an architecture—”
She’s interrupted by a sharp knock.
“Hold on, that’s my shoes,” I say, heading for the door. “The lady at Selfridges said they would be here by noon.”
“Your shoes?”
“I broke a heel during the nativity disaster.” I navigate around the room service cart, avoiding the judgmental gaze of my soggy eggs. “It’s probably one of the reasons I looked so weird in those pictures, one of my heels was…” I reach for the door, words trailing off as I swing it open.
My jaw drops and my eyes widen.
It’s my shoes all right, a sensible pair of nude pumps in a Selfridges box.
But that’s no delivery boy.
That’s Oliver Featherswallow, in a charcoal suit that’s giving major designer vibes and a sapphire tie that makes his eyes look even more dangerously blue-gray. His hair is perfectly styled, his shave is fresh, and he’s studying me with a determined expression.
So determined, it’s bordering on confrontational, in fact, but that doesn’t stop my stupid body from tingling at the sight of him.
“Hello, love,” he says with a brisk, but warm, familiarity, as if I didn’t give him the “big goodbye” just a few hours ago. “I have it all sorted. The answer to both our problems. It’s brilliant, so am I, and you’re welcome.” He lifts the shoe box between us. “Now, where do you want these?”
He pushes past me, summoning a startled huff from my lips.
Before I can speak, Olly adds, “And don’t even think of putting up a fuss, Darling. Pretending we’re an established couple to throw the bloody press off our scent is the perfect solution. I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. I simply won’t. You would be wasting your breath and my time. And considering I have to be at a luncheon in less than an hour, that would be ill-advised.”
“Did you hear all that?” I mutter into my cell.
“Sure did.” Maya’s laugh is loud and delighted. “What a clever man with fantastic ideas! I like him a lot.”
“I’m sure you do,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Who’s that?” Oliver nods toward my cell.
“Maya, my business partner,” I grit again.
He brightens as he sets my heels on the bureau. “Lovely! Hello, Maya, delighted to meet you. I’m Oliver, Emily’s new fake boyfriend. Though I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the fake part between us.”
“Will do,” Maya shouts, loud enough to make me wince. “Goodbye, Em. Sounds like you’re in excellent hands.”