Xavier shoots me a grin that if I didn't know better, could be described as devilish. "Did I hear someone say something about getting married? Is your friend going to be our witness this afternoon?"
That shuts Marley up fast. Her color drains, and I'm afraid she's going to pass out. I grab her arm and drag her toward the couch as fast as I can. She's not going down on my watch.
Marley looks blankly from me to Xavier and back again. "I … am I … is this an alternate universe?" she finally stutters out.
"Can I speak with you for a moment?" Xavier jerks his head toward my bedroom.
"You, sit," I tell my friend. "We'll be right back."
Once behind the closed door, I raise my eyebrow and wait for Xavier to speak. He runs his hand through his damp hair, and I swear to God, I could watch him do that forever. Maybe I'll record him and make it into a GIF.
It would go viral.
Focus, Ophelia.
"I don't think you should tell your friend. Not yet."
"Um, Marley's my best friend. My ride-or-die. She knows everything about me. She's totally trustworthy."
"I don't disbelieve you, but there are legalities that we're still working out. Tony is drafting the NDAs, and until she signs one, I don't think we're allowed to tell her."
It feels wrong, like socks with the elastic broken or Pete Davidson dating Ariana Grande. Or Kate Beckinsale. Or Kim Kardashian. Seriously, how does someone likehimland women like that? Of course, the same could be said for Xavier and me. "I don't like to keep things this big from her."
"I understand that, but I want to make sure everything is on the up and up. The very last thing I want is a scandal or something negative making the news. I cannot afford that for my career." His voice is light but there's a look in his eyes that's unsettling.
"But isn't all publicity good publicity? This seems minor, should it leak, compared to what a lot of athletes do. You're not deflating balls or stealing plays or anything like that."
"Ophelia, no bad publicity. None. I cannot afford it." His voice is grave. "We'll talk about it later, but know, for right now, this cannot blow up. It cannot end badly. My careercannothave another black mark."
Another? Interesting. I make a mental note to Google him, which I'm sure to promptly forget. "Right. Understood. Got it." His request should be easy, though. I'm like the least controversial person ever. I barely leave my house. I'm an accountant for Pete's sake. "But, if I can't tell Marley yet, then we have to convince her." I raise my eyebrow.
"Convince her?"
Is he going to make me spell it out for him?
"You know, convince her." I gesture between the two of us. "She knows me too well, and she knows how I act when I'm in a relationship."
"And how's that exactly?" Xavier folds his arms over his chest, which, thanks to the towel incident, I now know is chiseled and belongs on a calendar. I'm guessing there's not much on his body that's not.
I feel the heat rush my face. I can't believe I have to say this out loud. It's easier to stare at my feet than look him right in the eye when I say this. "I, um, tend to be, well, maybe, perhaps a little demonstrative." I raise my gaze slightly.
"Un-huh."
"Okay, hear me out. I'm not saying anything crazy or anything, but there'll have to be some … touching. Maybe a hug or an innocent kiss. You know, so she believes that we're, like, together."
He's going to run. Or vomit. He's going to leave me here, high and dry, and I'll spontaneously combust from embarrassment.
A girl can only stand so much.
"You're right. Not a proper snog, but we should kiss." Xavier nods. "Right then, let's go talk to Marley." He takes my hand and leads me out of the bedroom.
Chapter 24: Xavier
As my hand takes hers, the thought that runs through my brain is:
Not a proper snog?
What the hell do I even mean by that? I said it so she wouldn't think I was forcing myself on her or trying to take advantage of the situation.
