“There’s a gala tied to the pitch,” he continues. “It would be the perfect place for you to make an appearance. I’ll strategically leak stories to the press so that every headline about your relationship points right back to the summit and the business.”
“Wow. You really have thought of everything.”
He laughs, rubbing his chin. “I mean. That little lie of yours about you being his girlfriend just made this plan ten times better.”
I blink at him. Drake smiles wider.
I wasn’t plotting anything strategic when I said Eli was my boyfriend. I just wanted to verbally slap that hoe without actually catching an assault charge in a country that hates me.
“Problem,” I say, crossing my arms. “I packed for a romance conference. Not a ‘take down your fake boyfriend’s evil ex-partner’ gala.”
Drake grins. “Don’t worry,” he says, waving a hand. “Eli will take care of you.”
Even after just one night, I know that much about Eli. But it’s in the way Drake says it, that makes me realize Eli taking care of me isn't a special favor. It's simply who he is.
Still, I arch a skeptical brow. “You sure he’s going to be ok with all this? Because right now, I’m not even convinced he’s coming back.”
And with the way my so-called fake boyfriend has been brooding like he’s paid by the scowl, I’m only half-joking.
You’d think after everything we just started in his kitchen, he’d be a little moreeagerto have me around.
But no.
Instead, I’m standing here wondering if I imagined it all.
“He'll be fine,” Drake says, casually pushing his empty plate away. “He just needs time to let the idea settle. I’ll email him, lay it out like I did for you.”
“If you say so.”
Drake sticks out his hand, that same mischievous grin tugging at his mouth. “Thanks for doing this. I think it’s gonna be good for the team.”
“Happy to help,” I reply automatically, though my eyes flick back toward the trail Eli disappeared down.
“You think he’ll be back soon?”
“I'm sure. Probably off doing something in his greenhouse. It’s what he does when he’s stressed.”
I cough. Baffled. “He gardens. In a greenhouse?”
“Anything outdoors brings him peace,” Drake says with a shrug. “It’s what brought him here.”
“I see.”
Drake points toward the trail leading away from the house. “Follow the path and the yellow rope. It’ll take you straight to his greenhouse.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
“No, thank you. It’s silly, but it means a lot.”
“Speak for yourself. Not so sure about your buddy out there.”
Drake just laughs and hops in his truck. Once he disappears down the driveway, I stare at the trail like it's the gateway to another dimension.
Then, taking a deep breath and gathering every ounce of courage I have left, I start down the path toward my very sexy, very fake boyfriend.
But first? Instant regret.
The cold hits my face so hard it feels like Canada just bitch-slapped me for showing up unprepared.
