“So if I knew someone like this…”
“Do whatever it takes to get them to agree to date you,” Walter said.
Maybe this wasn’t the worst idea Danny had ever had.
“I was thinking of paying him.”
Walter’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I like the way you think.” He sat up, leaning his elbows on the desk. “It’s common practice, but I didn’t think you’d go for it even if I suggested it.”
“It… is?” Danny raised an eyebrow. He knew it wasn’t the most honest thing in the world to do, but he wasn’t the only one who’d lose out if he couldn’t stay relevant with advertising and sponsorship deals for a while after he retired.
Walter would lose out too, and he’d been good to Danny over the years. The fact that his career was being cut short wasn’t something either of them could have predicted, and he felt like he owed it to Walter to make the most of the rest of his time in the spotlight.
“Sure!” Walter said. “Those vampire movie kids did it. I forget their names, but that was all for publicity. She’s a lesbian.”
“I think she said she was bi, actually,” Danny corrected, and then immediately regretted making it obvious that he knew exactly who Walter was talking about. He’d never hear the end of it now.
“I didnotpick you for a vampire fan,” Walter said, grinning the kind of grin that told Danny he was right to regret what he’d just said.
“I’m not gonna respond to that.” Danny cleared his throat. “But, uh. You think it’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s perfect. As long as you can get this guy to sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
Danny considered. Eliot had no real reason to trust him, but hedidhave reason to trust Eliot. He’d been true to his word and left out the stupid things Danny had said in front of him, even after warning him there was no such thing as off-the-record. Obviously, for whatever reason, he was on Danny’s side.
If having a boyfriend like Eliot could secure his future, then he at least needed to try.
“I’ll set something up. Get me a non-disclosure agreement for him to sign,” Danny said.
Eliot might say no, but if he never asked, he’d never know.
