“I wasn’t talking about me.” Decker drops his smile and leans closer. “I give her two hours tops before she paints the internet with our love story.”
I make a gagging sound. “Loveis a little bit strong of a word.”
He casually tosses a piece of calamari into his smug mouth. “Everyone loves me.”
“I’m glad you think someone does.”
“You will, too.” He shifts in his seat. “Like, platonically. Eventually.”
“Sure. Well, if you can love a business partner, then maybe you’re right.”
“Oh, we’re partners now?”
“Business partners,” I clarify.
He sticks his hand out. “You got it, partner.”
I hesitate, choking down the rest of my flute before gripping his hand and shaking.
“So what do you have planned this weekend?” he asks, leaning back like we didn’t just agree to sign our lives away for the next… however many months. Years? The thought makes my stomach churn.
“You’re eager, aren’t you?”
He frowns. “I’m making small talk. Besides, we should know at least a little bit about each other if we’re gonna pull this thing off.”
I shove a fry into my mouth, answering between chews. “I’m recording. Well, re-recording something. For a remix.”
“Remix?”
“It’s nothing major. We just wanted to give a more upbeat alternative version of the stuff from my first album for the ten-year anniversary.” I swallow down my bite and realize I’ve said too much. “But no one’s supposed to know yet, so please keep that to yourself.”
He pretends to lock his lips, then leans closer. “Your secret is safe with me,babe.”
I grimace. “Ugh. If you insist on having nicknames, I get to pick mine.”
“That’s not really how nicknames work.”
“Fine. Then I at least get to approve it.”
“Fine,” he agrees. “Any more demands?”
My eyes meet his over our plates as the waitress stops by to silently pour us both another glass of champagne before disappearing again.
”I suppose we should set some boundaries,” I say.
“Like what?”
My eyes trail to the table where both our hands rest, our fingertips mere inches from one another from when he grabbed my hand just moments ago. “Like no PDA.”
“How do we convince people that two grown adults are in a loving relationship without touching each other?”
I cock my head. “Do you want to kiss me or something?”
His eyes drop to my mouth before falling to the tabletop. “No, maybe not on the mouth. But like… Your forehead or cheek orsomething.”
“Fine. Just give me a warning before. And only in front of cameras or if other people are watching.” He lets out a low chuckle, and I watch as his big hand engulfs his champagne glass and lifts it to his lips. “We might as well add holding hands to the list since you kinda already forced me to do that.”
He groans. “I grabbed your hand for like five seconds to convince that kid. I was acting. And apparently, I’m pretty good at it cause she believed it.”
