I shake my head. Patrick hands me a pen, watching me like a hawk. I read through the NDA; it’s the normal jargon. It’s still intimidating, though.
Signing it, I push it towards Patrick, and he switches it out with the contract that Royce is currently reading through. I flick to the terms.No sex. No kissing. Blah blah blah.Rolling myeyes, I sign and date. It lasts for the entirety of the season, and once the season is finished and I have turned in the first draft of my book, the contract is done.
“Why do you need my book?’
Nora sighs, and Patrick eyes her. “Just so we can make sure that there’s nothing in there that shouldn’t be.”
“Right.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Mmmhmm,” I hum, pushing the contract towards Patrick.
Royce is finishing up and I watch as he signs on the dotted line. Patrick then hands me Royce’s and vice versa, and we sign and date once more.
“Done.” Royce claps his hands together as if dusting them off.
“I’ll get this filed.” Patrick places them in his briefcase and then sees himself out.
“Well, congratulations, happy fake relationship.” Nora smirks then gains the attention of the waiter.
The food was amazing, the vibe was cosy, and the drinks were delicious. I definitely had more than I should have. Nora, Royce, and I walk towards his car, the warm summer breeze dancing across my skin.
“God, I never knew how much I needed to get away.” I sigh as we reach the car.
“I think we all get so wrapped up in life that we forget to take a break,” Nora says softly as Royce opens the door for us.
Nora slides in the back and I go to follow but his large hand curls around my waist as he pulls me towards him, shaking his head before he opens the passenger door. My doe eyes lock on his, confusion lacing my face.
“You’re my girlfriend, you ride up front.” He winks and places a kiss on my temple.
Sitting in, he leans over and straps me in before closing the door. I slowly turn my face around to look at Nora, who gives mea baffled shrug just as he climbs in next to me. Facing forward, I focus on the road ahead as he pulls out onto the evening stream of traffic.
“Thank you for dinner,” I say softly asGreenlightby Tate McRaeplays in the car.
“No problem.” He flashes his teeth at me in a dazzling smile, and I hear Nora clear her throat.
“Oh God.” My cheeks turn pink. “Thank you, Nora, for dinner.” I want the ground to swallow me whole.
“I wasn’t referring to you, my love,” she sings in the back, her fingers dancing across her screen as she types. “I was referring to the man child next to you who didn’t pay a bean towards dinner."
He snorts a laugh, his finger tapping on the steering wheel. “I’ll thank daddykins once I stop driving.”
She rolls her eyes.
Pulling outside the hotel, the valet greets Royce and I see a crowd forming before we get out the car. Panic spreads at the base of my neck. Royce catches me, eyes volleying.
“It’s nearly race week, this happens,” he reassures me, scooping my hand into his as his thumb rubs back and forth.
“Okay.” I roll my lips. “And how do we act?”
“Like you’re a couple,” Nora pipes up from the back of the car. “Public outings, anywhere you could be seen… you’re a couple. The only time you are not is when you’re in your rooms or sleeping.”
I swallow down the thickness. “Right.” Nerves cause my voice to tremble, and I catch Nora’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Not good with crowds?” Her brow raises.
“Just not used to being watched in public, that’s all.”
