Sophie was plenty offended, but not by his language. “I’ll have you knowmyperfect match will be a cinnamon roll. While yes, I love reading about all the other types of heroes, when push comes to shove, give me a big teddy bear, and I’ll be superbly happy.”
He gave her a look of incredulity, glanced at her T-shirt, and then nodded as if his brain had suddenly been illuminated with blinding understanding. “Of course that’s what you would want in a man.”
She slapped her hands to her hips. “What does that mean?”
“It means…nothing. Forget I said anything. Please continue.”
Sophie clicked to the next screen with more force than necessary. Stone was getting on every one of her lifetime preserve of last nerves. By the time this meeting was over, she’d have no last nerves left for future frustrating situations. Which would leave her as one of those people who immediately overreacted with emotion instead of biting her tongue with patience. Like Frankie.
She took a breath.Don’t spiral.
“Anyone But The Billionairewill have me scrutinizing all the single billionaires in search of one who likes to have fun.Falling for My Enemywill require me to find that super-smart geek who will make the right woman a perfect boyfriend.Single Dad on Topwill have me searching out single dads.Made in Manhattanwill send me to the seedier side of town looking for a guy from the wrong side of the tracks in need of a makeover.The Magnolia Chroniclesrequires me to find a bachelor who has been recently dumped and is on the rebound. AndMost Eligible Billionairerequires me to take a look at the eligible billionaire list and find just the right grumpy one. Oh, andThe Bride’s Runaway Billionaire—”
Stone made a noise, and there went another of Sophie’s stock of last nerves. She waited for him to explain the context of the noise.
“What?” she finally snapped.
“I asked nothing,” he said looking at her likewho pissed in your Cheerios?
You did, you big idiot.“You scoffed at my mention of searching out a grumpy bachelor. Why?”
“I’m picking up on this whole theme of billionaires. It appears that for a guy to be book boyfriend material he must be at billionaire status.”
“Book Boyfriend Connoisseurs read for the fantasy and the escape. Thus, we like our men, for the most part, filthy rich. So, sue us. Don’t tell me the women you fantasize about aren’t stacked and curvy and willing.”
He gave her a wolfish grin. “I’ll concede your point.”
She straightened. “Things We Left Behindhighlights a hero with a shady past. AndLove Hackedhas a hero with a secret. A really big secret.”
“That one will be fun,” Ms. Birdie said, a twinkle in her eyes. “Sophie will ask for nominees of guys who have secrets that they believe make them non-boyfriend material but are willing to share it with the person who buys him at auction. Isn’t that right, dear?”
Sophie nodded. “It might be a little tricky to find a guy who meets the dimensions of that type of book boyfriend, but that’s not going to sway me from hunting.”
“If you don’t mind, let’s back up one,” Stone said. “What do you mean a hero with a shady past?”
“Just that. The hero hasn’t always followed the law. And his current dealings may still be landing on the line.” As had Sophie’s last boyfriend who she’d thought was past that part of his life. Turned out…not so much.
“And just exactly where do you plan to look for such a man?”
“Wherever the listeners of Isabella’s podcast point us,” she replied, syrupy sweet. If he was going to deprive her of all her last nerves, she was going to send him home with a toothache from all her sugar.
“First of all, it’s not Isabella’s podcast,” Frankie mused. “It’sNaked Runway’s. Second of all, Stone, we’ve hired you to protect Sophie, not question her assignment.”
“I haven’t signed a contract yet,” Stone drawled. “I’m here to see if the gig is one I want to pursue.”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “In my opinion, Sophie should start with the sketchy hero. It’s the most exciting and will kick off our new column with a bang.”
Stone winced. “I’m certain you didn’t mean that as a pun, but from where I’m standing, it’s not funny.”
Sophie laughed. “Look at you having a sense of humor. You might be salvageable as a fake boyfriend after all.” She did shooting fingers at him. “Pew. Pew.”
“Again, I’ve not signed a contract,” Stone said. “Tell me more about this fake boyfriend thing you keep harping about.”
“Rude,” Sophie said. “I most definitely was not harping.”
Ms. Birdie stood. “Sophie, darling, you’ve done a wonderful job in your presentation. I agree with Frankie, you should start with the sketchy hero.” She pivoted to look at Stone. “Shall we discuss what it will take to get you to sign the contract? Clarabelle said you have done a lot of undercover work in the past couple of years, and doing so as a boyfriend would present no problems for a man of your talent. Was she wrong?”
“Of course I can. It’s just—do I want to?” Stone gave Sophie a less-than-sweet look. “I can’t imagine your real boyfriend would be happy with this plan.”
