Chapter 52
631words
Since the necklace incident, neither of us had spoken much. My tendency to overanalyze in silence was usual, but for Nicholas, who lacked an 'off' switch, this was uncharacteristic. The only times I recalled him being quiet were when he slept.
He glanced at me several times, then at the Dior bag beside us on the ground, before finally speaking.
'So," he began softly, 'do you have a list of names for me?"
Rarely had I been at a loss for words in my professional life.
'I'm sorry," I replied, sitting up straighter, trying to catch up. 'Names?"
His expression tightened momentarily before smoothing out.
'Names of girls. Girls the company would approve of. Girls you think I should date."
It was all I had wanted to hear that morning—to hear him ask that question. But now?
For some reason, it sent a chill down my spine.
'Oh. Right." I glanced down at my lap before meeting his eyes again. 'Yeah, we should discuss that."
The hotdog wrappers were discarded, the Dior bag discreetly moved aside.
'We have two options," I began slowly, attempting to clear the haze of alcohol to think clearly. 'Either we find someone you already know and like—someone who would reassure the board, or..." I hesitated, unable to complete the sentence.
Nicholas tilted his head, curious.
'Or?"
I apologized with my gaze, already anticipating the aftermath.
'Or... we find a complete stranger. Someone who could benefit from the exposure and who would use you as much as you use them. It happens often in PR."
He remained silent, and I hurriedly backtracked, dismissing the idea almost as soon as I had proposed it.
'But that's probably not the best idea. While it keeps things strictly professional, it could become awkward. You'd be feigning every kiss, every intimate moment captured on camera. With someone you already know, there would at least be a personal connection, and you wouldn't have to pretend—"
'Let's go with a stranger."
I came up suddenly short, glancing up in surprise. My tablet—which I'd pulled out the second we started ‘talking shop' paused on a list of Nicholas's ex-girlfriends, freezing them in place.
'I'm sorry?" I had to clarify. It was absolutely not what I expected him to say. 'You said you wanted to go with a stranger? Did you not hear what I just—"
'You just said that a stranger would be awkward, but professional," he summarized briskly. 'A mutually beneficial arrangement. One with no real emotion, everything would be staged. Am I understanding that correctly?"
I cringed a bit at the curt way he was talking—already feeling sorry to help facilitate putting him in such a position—but I nodded as well. Yes, that was entirely correct.
'Good." He pushed to his feet without another word, dusting off his pants. 'In that case, why don't you come up with a list of names, and we'll go through them tomorrow. Or better yet," he suddenly reconsidered, 'why don't you just pick someone for me. You're better at that sort of thing..."
He fell suddenly silent, waiting expectantly, and I hurried to push to my feet as well.
'Uh—yes, of course. I can have someone ready by the end of the day."
He nodded once, then started walking away.
'Excellent. Thank you, Avery."
My jaw fell open as I watched him leave. Watched until he disappeared around the corner at the end of the street. He'd left the Dior bag behind. As well as an untouched cup of coffee.
...Avery?
