Now I was really confused.I remembered that we had to sign an NDA saying that we wouldn’t take pictures of other guests without their express permission or post anything about them online, which I thought sounded OTT, but I understood that it was to respect everyone’s privacy.And obviously it didn’t bother me because I wasn’t interested in photos or social media.But what made her say that now, about my date?
My mind raced, then the most likely reason hit me.
If she’d told them not to take photos, that must mean that…
Oh, God.
No, no, no.
Please, no.
As the crowd dispersed and I saw who was in front of me, my stomach tensed and the blood drained from my face.
‘Halle, I’m so thrilled to introduce you to your date, the one and only Jake Myers, although I’m sure there’s not a woman on the earth who doesn’t know who he is and want him toBUTT-RRR them up. Am I right?’
She chuckled, obviously thinking it was hilarious to reference that stupid ad jingle he did, but I wasn’t laughing.
At all.
Dread and disappointment washed over me.
‘He’s…’ I wanted to say the word ‘famous’ but nothing came out.
I couldn’t believe they’d set me up withhim.
One of the main things I’d asked for on my questionnaire wasnotto be matched with anyone high profile.
That was a definite no-no.A deal breaker.The reddest of red flags.
After what I’d been through with my ex, the last thing I wanted was to date another singer.
And Jake wasn’t just any singer.He had a reputation for being a notorious womaniser.
My ex liked sleeping with groupies (as I found out the hard way), but Jake Myers made him look like a boy scout.
I was a good person.
I was kind to others.
I always gave my seat up on public transport to those who needed it more.So why was I being punished like this?
I didn’t know what the hell the hotel was thinking matching me with Jake, but I had no intention of sticking around to find out.
4
JAKE
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
Thiswas my match?
If I was looking for a real date, she’d definitely tick my boxes.She was tall, had a killer body, sparkly chocolate-brown eyes, brown skin and shoulder-length curly hair, which was a kind of cinnamon shade with flashes of golden highlights.
And her nails were fire.They matched that pretty orange dress that she was wearing which clung to her long, toned legs and every delicious curve.
Yep.The way she looked definitely wasn’t the problem.
But the deal was that I’d get matched with someone used to being in the public eye.
