“Why does being single have to be so complicated?” Boone muses before sipping his drink again.
“Tell me about it,” I say with a snort. “Don’t people get that not everyone is actively looking for a relationship? Fans are always asking when I’m going to find a boyfriend, but running the G&G channel is more than a full-time job. It’s practically my existence.”
Boone grins. He rests his head against the back of the couch as the music swells and changes.
“Sometimes, I think about hiring someone to come with me to these parties,” he chuckles. “I know that sounds insane, but it’d keep the girls from flocking all over me. I can’t even enjoy myself at these parties most of the time because so many women keep trying to get my attention.” He lifts his head again and turns toward me with a faint frown. “I have to be honest, Sutton, that was part of the reason I scooped you up tonight. I would’ve helped anyone who was being tormented by that gross guy, but I was hoping you would hang out with me for a bit so I had a chance at having a good time tonight. I mean, look, we haven’t had a single person come bug us since we sat down.”
Frankly, Boone’s right. I hadn’t even considered that until now. Nothing else dramatic had happened since we buddied up. It’s a miracle.
Suddenly, I shoot upward on the couch and twist toward him.
“Boone,” I whisper, barely able to talk through my earnest excitement, “I think you might be a genius.”
“Think?” he teases, but his brow slowly creases with confusion. “But seriously, what are you talking about?”
I grin at him, rubbing my palms together like the mastermind that I am. I’ve got just the plan to make both of our lives a thousand times easier.
All Boone has to do is say yes.
CHAPTER FOUR
Even choking on his drink, Boone still looks unbelievably handsome. It almost isn’t fair.
He gapes at me, blue eyes wide with shock.
I keep grinning at him. Any second now, he’ll realize that what I’ve just suggested is the best darn idea he’s ever heard in his entire life.
Any...second...now.
Right?
Finally, the southern sweetheart manages to gulp down his mouthful of Jack and Coke, then immediately follows it with another deep drink.
“You think what now?” he sputters before setting down the now-empty glass. He slams it down so hard that half-melted ice cubes inside leap over the rim and dance across the table.
“Oh, you heard me,” I answer with a smirk. I’m so proud of this idea that I’ve come up with that I’m practically preening. The reflection of my eager face in Boone’s clear eyes beams from ear to ear, and the sight only makes me smile wider. “You. Me. Power couple of the year. Or at least the next few months.”
Boone’s long lashes flutter against the top of his high cheekbones as he blinks rapidly. “You really think we should date?”
I smack a hand on the table and nod. “Absolutely! I mean, we shouldpretendto date. It’ll be all the benefit and absolutely none of the drama.”
Boone leans forward so that he can rest his forearms on his knees. “Relationships always have drama, Sutton,” he states doubtfully.
I wave a finger in front of his handsome face. “Nu-uh! Not fake ones. That’ll be rule number one once we figure all his out. No drama. Not even a teensy bit.”
Still, Boone doesn’t look entirely convinced. A frown shadows his face. He taps his foot on the ground, the gears of his mind visibly spinning as he contemplates what a fake relationship would entail.
Either I drive this whole thing home, or he’s bailing before he’s even truly seen the promise of what I’m offering.
“Come on, Boone! Have you already forgotten what you were talking about a minute ago? You said you’d go as far as to hire someone to go with you to these parties, but with me on your arm, you wouldn’t have to pay a cent. A relationship would be mutually beneficial. The sleazeballs will steer clear and so will the Coyotes’ groupies. Plus, my followers will finally stop hounding me about getting a boyfriend. I’ll even cheer you on at your games.”
Boone tilts his head back and forth like he’s mentally volleying a pros and cons list between his ears. I hold my breath and mentally cross my fingers, desperate for him to agree.
Flaunting a man like Boone on the G&G socials would be a goldmine of content. I mean, I love Kali and Grayson, and they’re totally a stunning couple, but with my superstar aura and Boone’s southern drawl, we’d be the new hit couple. Glammers everywhere would be in a tizzy. I can already imagine the excited comments we’d get on every video he and I post together. There will be no worry of fading from the social media spotlight if I have a man like him on my arm. He’s just what I need to give my online reputation that extra bit ofoomphI’ve been lacking lately. Later on, once we break up, I can play the sympathy card to keep my followers invested in me until I manage to snag another guy—that time for real. By then, I’m sure I’ll have figured out how to make room in my busy schedule for a true boyfriend. Right now, I simply have too much going on for a real-life romance.
Besides, it isn’t like no one in Hollywood hasn’t done this very same thing.
Boone eventually drags in a shallow breath and eyes his empty glass as if he was wishing it’d refill itself. Just as he opens his mouth to declare his choice, however, the door leading to the terrace swings open and crashes hard against the wall behind it.
