“What a worthy cause.” Harley leans forward against the counter.
“It is. I always attend because Active Kids offers hope to kids who have it rough…” I pull at the collar of my long sleeve t-shirt.
She’s hanging on my every word.
“The evening is such a big deal, it always makes the front page of sports and celebrity publications. It brings out the biggest names in sports.”
“It’s no wonder the press will be out in full force,” she says. “When you step out like this, do you document it on your personal socials or on your business socials?”
I thought we’d wait until later to talk about her job, but her questions are pertinent ones. “I haven’t done much with my personal social media presence in a long while. When I was still in the NHL, my posts revolved around my workout routines, the fuel food I consumed to remain at the top of my game, the team’s wins, and highlights from my charity. I never posted anything personal… other than my last post which was in Nana’s memory.”
She brings a hand to her heart, her lips pulling down in a frown.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “As for the restaurant… I usually appoint an enthusiastic employee to take care of posting on social media, but what we’re doing could use some improvement.”
“And that’s where I come in.” She sits a little straighter in her chair. “You want me to hype the upcoming Active Kids charity event so the followers on your personal socials and the restaurant ones donate?” She claps. “That, I can do with my eyes closed.”
“I was envisioning you participating in a different way.”
“Sorry. I might’ve gotten carried away there. What did you have in mind?”
“I was planning on attending alone…”
“Since your ex-wife doesn’t have a filter, I can understand why. Is Devlyn going to be at the event?”
I nod. “Yes, she’s going to be there with the captain of the Boston Bandits.”
“Not good. The press is going to have a field day.”
“I intend on keeping my distance, but my ex-wife is a loose cannon.”
“That woman is off her rocker.” Harley pinches her lips together. “How are you going to deal with this? Her presence there shouldn’t prevent you from participating in such an incredible evening.”
“I won’t allow her to dictate my life,” I say. “There’s a way to distract the press and have them talk about something other than an imminent World War III.”
“What’s the plan?”
I open my mouth, but hesitate.
It was a solid plan when I thought about it when I woke up this morning and when I told Erik about it, but what if my request is so far out, she refuses?
“Kaz, let me know if there’s any way I can help.” Expectant eyes stare up at me.
“Will you accompany me as my fake girlfriend?”
Chapter 17
You won’t know what hits you
Harley
If I wasn’t sitting, I would’ve stumbled back and landed on my ass.
Kaz wants me to be his fake girlfriend?
In what parallel universe did I step into?
“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Kaz says. “My publicist has been pushing me to consider that as an option, but I’ve always turned her down because the idea of spending the evening with a model, actress, singer, socialite, or God forbid, an influencer is as attractive as swimming through a swamp infested with piranhas.”
