“Right. I was giving you an idea of what the stakes are first.”
“Got it.”
He turns and goes back to the armchair to sit down, and I silently thank the universe for the opportunity to check out his butt again. “Merrick is interested in this start-up, but he doesn’tneedthe CTO job. He’s very happy living in the Cotswolds with his family and tending to his traditional English garden. There are other VCs who’ve been courting him. I’ve already made him a generous offer, but he doesn’t care about money. He cares about the ethics of the company, that the technology won’t be weaponized against traditional farmers, and he needs to be ableto trust that someone will keep his vision alive.” John sighs. “I’mthat guy. I want this to be my legacy as much as he does, but he’s evaluatingme. As a person. And so far, I’m failing.”
That was literally the most vulnerable thing I have ever heard Johnny Brandt say. I want to give him a life-affirming hug. I kind of want to crawl to him on my hands and knees, unzip his pants with my teeth, and give him a confidence-boosting blow job. But I’m not going to do that.
“I’m sure you’re not failing, John” is what I say instead of straddling him and cradling his head between my boobs. “So…you need me to vouch for you? As a person?”
He exhales a little laugh. “I need you to make me seem like a whole person, not just an investor who only values profit margins, yes. But also…I recently found out that George Merrick has a young granddaughter who’s very important to him. And guess what’s really important to her right now.”
Ah. Now I get it. “Ballet.”
“Ballet. I was on a Zoom call with him several days ago, and this sweet little girl came into his study asking him to watch her do a pirouette. He ended our meeting early and mentioned that she had auditioned for a local production ofThe Nutcrackerlast year and didn’t get in. This year she’s determined, but she’s not exactly…graceful. I thought maybe while I’m meeting with the professor at his home in the Cotswolds, you could maybe give his granddaughter a tutorial. Unpaid, of course, so you don’t need a work visa.”
I am so in, but I maintain my poker face. “I’m listening. The problem is I’ve never been interested in having a boyfriend. What makes you think I’d make a good fake girlfriend?”
“I think you’re good at whatever you set your mind to, Olivia,” he says. As if he’s picturing me crawling across the floor on my hands and knees to unzip his pants with my teeth.
My mouth has gone totally dry. This is unacceptable. Clearing my throat, I say, “You’re right about that. How do you plan to make it worth my while?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I can pay your monthly bills to cover the time you’ll have to take off from work while we’re traveling.”
Wow. He’s lowballing me. Interesting. “Would I have to actually spend time withyou?”
“Yes. A lot of time. With a smile on your face. But only when we’re in public. I enjoy making you scowl in private.”
I’m frowning at him now.
“Yes, like that.” He squints and holds up his hands like he’s framing a shot. “That’s perfect.”
Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I say, “Covering my bills ain’t gonna cut it.”
“Understood. Since it will require you taking time off from your restaurant job while we’re out of town, I’d be happy to compensate you for missed tips and wages. You make what—twenty dollars an hour?”
“I make around five thousand a month in tips alone when I get brunch and weekend dinner shifts. And yes, twenty an hour. Six-to-eight-hour shifts, five shifts a week. But I’m also doing some modeling.”
“Right. I thought you weren’t going to do that anymore.”
“I have a regular gig that I like.”
“Really? For whom?”
“For a local lingerie boutique.”
He raises one spectacular eyebrow and jerks his head back.
“Don’t judge me. The pictures are for Instagram, so they’re very pretty and tasteful. Plus, I’ve been doing odd jobs here and there, so it’s hard to estimate…”
He appears to be enjoying this, now that it’s becoming a negotiation. He rolls up his sleeves, very pointedly, watching mestare at his forearms. “Okay. Obviously your time and company are priceless, and despite what you may think, I am aware that you consider my personality to be somewhat rough around the edges.”
“Pffft! Understatement.”
“I would also like to help you pay off your student loan.”
“What do you mean?”
“I meanI want to provide you with the funds to pay it off. Fully.”
