“You want to fake date me to get our ratings up?” I ask.
“No.” He grins. “I want to date you for real to prove that yourone-size-fits-allapproach to relationships doesn’t work.”
I’m vaguely aware of Francine reacting in the sound booth, and my phone lighting up like a Christmas tree. But I’manchored in place, heart racing, and staring into the eyes of … my new boyfriend?
I’ve done much, much crazier things in the past with much, much lesser men than Drake.
Which is kind of his point, but I won’t admit that.
“Okay,” I say, wrapping my head around his proposition. “You want to date me. For real. For six weeks. All to prove that I need to expand my dating horizons so I can be a better podcaster?”
“Yeah. I mean, it won’t hurt that you’ll get to spend time with a nice guy for once. Hell, you might even like it.”
I laugh, and the sound is much more maniacal than I intend or expect. For some reason, this makes him smirk.
“You don’t think I’ll fall for you or anything, right?” I ask, smirking right back. “Because I won’t. You’re not my type.”
He snorts. “From what I’ve heard, I’m happy about that. I’d hate to be lumped in with that group.”
“Very funny.”
“I’m basically a public servant, trying to stop the destruction of dreams and futures. I’m just doing this as a public service. I’m not trying to make you fall in love with me.”
“Good. Because no man can make that happen.”
“You can’t make love happen, Gianna. It just does.”
Yeah, right.
The heat between us builds, clouding my head and making it hard to think clearly. I don’t know what this will entail or why he’s doing this, but it will help my podcast. I bet my viewership is setting new records today.And dating in this year of our lord comes with sex, doesn’t it?
As if he can read my mind, he winks at me.
Fuck it. What do I have to lose?
“Deal,” I say, smugly. “You have six weeks to broaden my horizons. We’ll update my followers each week on how it’s going. Cool?”
“Cool. And, if at the end of the six weeks, you realize that I’m right …”
“I won’t.”
Francine’s celebration from the sound booth reminds me that we’re live.Shit. I glance at the clock.We’re nearly done with this episode anyway.
“We’re going to wrap up today’s show a little early, friends. After all, I don’t know how much more excitement I can pack into one episode. So I will see you next week with hot takes and cold truths about …. my new boyfriend.”That sounds so weird.“See you guys later.”
“Goodbye,” Drake says as he gets to his feet.
The outro music begins to play, and I slide off my headphones. Drake follows suit. I have no idea what we do now, or if he was joking, or if this is some skit he wants to keep up for views. There are so many unanswered questions on the tip of my tongue.
“I’ll text you tonight,” he says, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair.
“Okay …”
He gives me one final lingering smile. “This is going to be fun.”
“I …”
He’s out the door before my voice catches up with him.
