“Of course not,” Hunter said.
“Avery is on board. We are going to win that contract. You can’t do better for a perfect fiancée than someone who isn’t going to become emotional if I don’t call her, who will act lovingly in front of the client and change herself to act like an appealing girlfriend. Between Avery’s image of the wholesome small-town girl and the fact that we’re moving our company to help revitalize a historic Rust Belt small town, we’ll win this contract and stick it to the Holbrooks. You can’t deny it’s a brilliant plan.”
Greg’s eyes were narrowed; his hands steepled in front of him on the desk. “I do see the appeal. And she’s one hundred percent on board?”
“She’s totally committed,” I assured them.
Greg nodded. “I think this could work. We have to really sell it. Does she have an Instagram? She needs to make sure she’s posting examples of spontaneous loving action.”
“The story has to be watertight,” Hunter added. “If anyone finds out about the lie, we’re ruined.”
“No one will find out,” I promised.
“And you’ve already bought the huge ring,” Greg said.
I nodded. “Six carats.”
“I suppose that’s adequate. Proposal? What do you have planned?”
“I was going to do it in that nice little park near the office and have a picnic.”
Hunter snorted.
“Wrong answer,” Greg said.
“We’re trying to make it seem like we’re in love and that we just couldn’t wait, so everything is supposed to be small and intimate.”
“No. It needs to be flash and in your face. We’ll rent out Cameli’s, invite the family, and tell them we’re pretending it’s for someone’s birthday.”
“That’s random.”
“We just need a good story.”
“Whose birthday is it?”
“I’ll find someone,” Greg snapped. “The important part is the proposal. You have to act sincere, but we need a nice video. Make sure Avery arrives in a presentable outfit.”
“We should invite the clients, depending on how the dinner goes,” Hunter said.
“Good call.”
“We need a live band, lots of flowers,” Hunter added.
“I’ll have my assistant order them,” Greg said.
My head was spinning. “Is this really necessary?”
Hunter nodded. “It’s smoke and mirrors. If everyone is excited about an over-the-top wedding, they’re less likely to print stories about the fact that a cult kid is marrying a home-wrecking drug addict’s daughter.” He pulled out his phone, swiped, and handed it to me. I cringed when I saw the headlines.
“I’ll have my assistant, Marnie, coordinate with Penny on the proposal. All you need to do is show up,” Greg informed me.
“I want to help plan it. You know, make it special for her,” I protested.
“No. This is too important,” Greg said, waving me away. “Now go get ready for that dinner. This all hinges on you and Avery making a good impression.”
Hunter was watching me like a lion eyeing a dying hyena as I put on my coat.
“Blade,” Hunter said as my hand rested on the door handle. “I am warning you—do not fall in love with this woman.”
