Lucas settled into one of the chairs across from my desk. Ina remained standing, looking uncertain.
“Sit,” I told her.
She sat down, looking very uncomfortable.
“It’s simple,” Lucas began. “You and Ina go out in public a few times over the next couple of weeks. Coffee shops, restaurants, maybe a walk through Central Park if the weather cooperates. Nothing formal, nothing that requires you to dressup or step into a literal spotlight. Just exist together in spaces where you might be photographed.”
“Photographed by your people or by actual paparazzi?”
“Both, ideally. My people will be there to make sure we get usable shots, but the goal is to create enough buzz that real paparazzi start paying attention. Then it becomes organic. Self-sustaining.”
“And the narrative?” I asked.
“You’re a private person trying to keep a relationship private.” Lucas nodded in my direction. “That’s already established in the public consciousness. We’re just showing glimpses—enough to confirm you’re seeing someone, not enough to invade the relationship. It makes it seem real and special.”
“Until Valentine’s Day,” I said.
“Until the commercial airs on Valentine’s Day, yes. At that point, the relationship is ‘confirmed’ by the ad itself. People will connect the dots. The mystery woman from the photos is the same woman from the commercial. Boom. Story complete.”
“And then what?” The question was blunt, but I operated in facts. Black and white.
Lucas paused. “Then you go back to being private. Neither of you has to make a formal announcement about breaking up or staying together. You’ve already established that you don’t talk about your personal life. After the commercial airs, all public access to Ina ceases. She’s not on social media under her real name, her Cupid’s Arrow profile is private, and there’s no reason for anyone to keep digging. The story arc is complete.”
Ina shifted in her chair, uncomfortable.
“Let me talk this over with my girlfriend,” I said to Lucas.
He glanced between us, then stood. “Sure. I’ll email you both the schedule for the next few appearances. Let me know what you think.”
When the door closed behind him, silence rolled into the office like fog.
“Did you receive the raise and bonus package from Norma?” I asked.
Ina nodded. “Yesterday. It’s generous. More than generous.”
“Is it enough?”
She looked at me and offered a hesitant smile. “I’m not worried about the money.”
“Then what’s the matter?”
“Doesn’t this look bad for you when it comes to actually dating people?”
“I don’t date,” I said simply, which was still true.
“Oh.” She looked down at her hands. “Right. You mentioned that.”
“Do you? Date?”
She shrugged, and I watched color rise in her cheeks. “I try. It’s hard in a new city, and I’ve been so focused on work.” She laughed slightly. “I’m not very good at it, honestly. I get too nervous and say the wrong things.”
“You were fine at dinner the other night.” The words came out before I could stop them.
“That was different,” she said quietly. “That was pretend.”
I gripped the edge of my desk, needing something solid to hold on to. “This won’t get in the way of you actually dating. After Valentine’s Day, you’ll have your Cupid’s Arrow profile, and you can find what you’re looking for.”
“It kind of sounds like you’re my boyfriend until after Valentine’s Day. Which makes you my Valentine.” She smiled, and for the first time, I recognized it for what it was—a defense mechanism. A way to lighten the mood when things got too heavy. “I’ve never had a Valentine before. Even a fake one.”
