He sighs. “Might not be a bad look for Decker to be seen with you a few times.”
I can see the gears in his head turning, eerily similar to the way my mother’s had.
“I think we both know it’s best to keep these matters private,” Antonia adds quickly. “But if it feels right, maybe you and I can discuss how to present the relationship to the public.”
Relationship?
A sly grin spreads across Jason’s now-dry face as he steps out of the pool. “I’ll be in touch soon to coordinate the details.”
My mom gives him a cheesy thumbs up, and then his screen goes black.
As soon as I’m certain I’m in the clear, my smile drops, and I whip to face my mother. “I’m not doing it.”
“You will,” she says, closing the laptop.
Antonia shifts from one scuffed ballet flat to the other. “It won’t be for long. Just until the headlines clear.”
“I’m not going to date Decker Trace.” The words scrape against my throat as they rush out.
My mother’s eyes widen, something lethal overtaking them. “Lena Claire Lukowski, you’re the one who?—”
“I can understand how this is a very emotionally charged circumstance for you both.” Antonia steps in, her voice steady as she turns to face me. “Lena, just think of it as something casual. We will have you start with drinks so you can feel out the situation. Just you and him, so it’s low pressure. That gives you potential for face time with the public if someone happens to spot you. It never hurts to get those rumors rumbling. Plus, you can see if he’s a creep and whatnot first.”
She raises a brow as the cogs in her head kick into overdrive. Her wry smile almost makes me grin, too. My mother huffs and rolls her eyes, but Antonia holds up a hand to keep her at bay.
“We don’t want you to do anything that’s uncomfortable for you, but the reality of the situation is we don’t have many options, and we need to work fast to cover your tracks. Who knows, maybe he’ll surprise you.” Antonia’s eyes are full of sympathy as she pats my shoulder, glancing at my mother. “Don’t you agree, Blythe?”
My mother’s phone buzzes across her desk, and she scoops it up. “I have to take this.” She exits without another word.
“Lena, please just trust me on this one. I know you’re not fond of him despite what your mom told Jason, but this might be the only way.”
I sigh, pressing the heels of my hands over my eyes. “I know. I know. It’s fine. Just schedule it.”
Even without looking, I know the weight that had been collapsing down on her has lifted. I’ve complied like I always do.
“Great. Okay. I’ll call Jason to schedule your meeting with Decker.” Papers shuffle as she collects her things and pads toward the door. “Just give it a chance, okay? It’ll be over before you know it.”
That’s the last thing I hear before she and Gustav exit, leaving me all alone, asking myself what I’ve just agreed to—or, more accurately, was coerced into doing.
But they’re right, I have no other choice.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DECKER
“No.”
“Decker, it’s just drinks.” Jason’s voice crackles across the line.
I run a hand through my wet hair. “Nothing isjustsomething. If someone sees?—”
“You act like I’m setting you up with some ogre. It’s Lena Lux. Half the world would kill to drink the sweat from her tour costumes.”
I grimace as I run a towel over my damp hair before swiping it across the foggy bathroom mirror. “She’s not really my type.”
He laughs. “Keep telling yourself that. I already set it up, so it’s a done deal, unless you want to back out.”
“I wanna back out.”
