The corners of my lips turn up, thinking about them. “Yeah. They live in South Carolina. We’re not as close as your family. With my crazy travel schedule, I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like, but we still text and call as much as we can. Our family group text gets a little unhinged at times.”
Hannah’s laugh is boisterous and full of understanding. “Oh God. Our family group text would probably have you running for the hills! We love each other, but I swear our love language is giving each other shit every moment of every day. And you’ll never guess who the biggest shit-giver is.”
I grin, feeling relieved to finally hear a believable characteristic about him. “I would expect nothing less.”
“Family is everything to us, so I love to hear you get along well with yours. And while you’re in this relationship, you’re my family too. JJ is my client and my family, but he’s also one of my best friends. Anything I’d do for him, I’d do for you as well.”
My heart warms, the kindness easing the twisting in my gut.Is this some sort of weird fever dream?I figured Jordan’s PR cousin would be a total hard-ass bitch who shamed me for even suggesting we fake date. I swallow back the thought as I realize I’m doing to herexactlywhat people do to me as a female pilot. Making me feel like I have to fit into a certain mold or act acertain way when in reality we’re just two women with cool-ass jobs.
“Thanks, Hannah. I appreciate that.” I’m shocked to realize I truly mean that. “So, tell me what to expect with all the attention that comes with being Jordan Boucher’s latest fling.”
A wince crosses her face, her nose crinkling as if she’s upset by the description of him. She said he’s her best friend. She knows how he acts. What the hell am I missing here?
She leans forward, placing her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her hands. “I’ve done this with celebrity couples before. Now that it’s out in the open, if they see you out a few times, they’ll usually back off. In my experience, seeing you leave a restaurant together after a nice dinner will squash any rumors of you two doing this for publicity.”
I snort. “That is exactly what we’re doing.”
“Precisely,” she laughs, “and they’ll get their precious photos, then move onto the next ‘it’ couple, assigning them their precious ship name.”
My jaw drops. A ‘ship’ name?Fuck.“Do we…do we have a ship name?”
She nods. “They’re calling you Jennedy.”
My head shakes like I’m watching the world’s slowest tennis match.How thehellam I part of a celebrity couple called Jennedy?I sit at home. I read my books. I work, go on a vacation or two. I’mnota celebrity couple with a ship name.
“I guess it could be worse,” I mumble.
She purses her lips, her brows narrowing slightly. “Kennedy…are you sure you’re okay with this? If not, I can talk to JJ, and we can come up with something?—”
“It’s fine,” I spit, not wanting her pity. “Fake dating was my idea. I’m all in. It’s just…it’s hard to wrap my mind around all this.”
“I can imagine this is quite the upheaval in your life.”
“Just a bit,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm asanothernews alert pops up. “My poor phone hasn’t had a break all day.”
She smiles and sighs in understanding. “I promise it will calm down. Turn it on do not disturb and make sure all your favorites are set to ring through. That will help until the media dies down.”
“Will do.” I pick at the edge of my nail with my thumb. “What exactly do I need to wear for this date?”
“Oh!” She bounces in her chair as her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “I almost forgot!” She reaches into her houndstooth bag and passes across an envelope. “This is for you. It’s a black card, no limit, so get whatever you need!”
I straighten in my chair and raise a hand to stop her. “Hannah. I do well for myself. I don’t need a credit card. I am quite capable of buying my own clothes.”
“I know, I know. I appreciate that, really, but listen. JJ wants to make sure you have everything you need; that’s all. You don’t have to use it. But…” She grins mischievously. “If it were me? I would be running to the hotel spa and getting a massage and a stiff drink.”
The warmth and humor in her words loosen something tight inside me. I suppose I could capitalize on this.Just this once.
“You know what? That’s not a bad idea. I think we’ll get along just fine. And…hey. Thanks for just chatting with me like a real person and not just a client.”
“Anytime. Like I said, I’m here if you need me at all. If you need someone to talk to about all of this, or need a fit check, I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks.” I flash her a warm smile.
She checks her watch, a small frown marring her features. “I should get going. I’m going to meet with another client while I’m in town,” she says as she goes back into full business mode, packing up her bag. “Also, Kennedy? One more thing.”
“Sure, what’s that?” I ask, my voice wavering like a jet hitting a pocket of turbulence.
She twists her lips. “I know this is just an arrangement, but JJ’s been through the wringer. Even though this is fake, just keep in mind you both have real hearts.”
