“That won’t be a problem,” I whisper, upturning my lips into a smile, but inside, it feels like a frown. Deep and hollow to its core.
“I’m open to marriage without restrictions.”
There’s no way I heard that right. I swing my head to Austin, unable to control the repulsion in my glare. “Hartwell billionaire, say what?”
Nathaniel clears his throat beside me. “Cove.”
Austin doesn’t seem fazed by my outburst; in fact, he’s quite entertained. “An open marriage. Should I explain?” He grins.
“Save the energy, please.” I hold my hand up in disbelief. As much as I’m completely against the idea of an open marriage in any case, I’m here to play a role, and telling him that wouldn’t be doing my job.
So, I play along. “I guess it’ll be nice to have the option if, for some reason, you lack in performance.” I smile, feeling like I could vomit glass.
“No problems there. Isn’t that right, Father?” I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried. Austin just relied on his father to defend his sexual capabilities. I shake my head, no interest in knowing the sick games that happen behind closed doors at the Hartwell residence.
“Not the time, Austin.”
How old is thischildI’m supposed to date?
Nathaniel taps his glass on the table beside him before taking over the platform. “Now, onto the matter at hand. This week.”
“Ever been to Waterstone, princess?” Austin asks.
Call me princess again, and you won’t be alive to make it there.
I bite my cheek. “Can’t say I have.” My voice strains between perkiness and disgust. The pursuit of humor is simply a Band-Aid.
I really hope this gets easier.
“Cove.” Nathaniel directs his stone-cold attention at me. He’s such a bore. “You will be accompanying Austin and me to a week-long event celebrating the fiftieth birthday of my best friend. He will be hosting us in his home.”
That doesn’t sound horrible…
“You actually have friends?” I blurt, earning myself an eye roll. “Week-long, huh? Sounds like a party.”
Nathaniel shows the teeniest sign of laughter but locks it tight. “His family is physically unable to do things halfway.”
“That’s the only way to do it,” Austin chimes in.
“So, the three of us are staying there? And it’s a week-long party? What’s the catch?” I’m genuinely curious.
I understand going to his best friend’s birthday celebration. But the part that has my thoughts spinning is why this party in particular is where I need to fake it with Austin. I’d imagine the home of his best friend is the last place to finalize business.
Especially if they’re as close as he makes it seem.
Nathaniel sneers. “There is no catch. Seeing you together in a normal life setting is believable. We need real, authentic, and genuinely in love publicity. Picture theheadlines…Austin Hartwell, heir of Hartwell Enterprises, falls for the beautiful small-town flight attendant, Cove Davenport. Photos. Sleeping in close quarters. Bonding with her father’s best friend and family. No better time to fall in love than in Waterstone, Texas. It’s country living at its finest.”
“Practically kismet,” Harrison contributes.
Except, I’m from the city. Not a small town. And not one part of me wants to sleep anywhere close to Austin.
Leave it to my biological father to put his forgotten daughter in an uncomfortable position. Every part of this is so wrong.
“What makes you so sure people will see us there? I can’t say I’ve ever heard of paparazzi hanging out in corn fields,” I note, trying to put the pieces together.
“Trust me. It helps that he was just namedMost Eligible BachelorbyForbesMagazine. Paps will be lurking, whether they’re successful or not. In this case, any publicity is good publicity.”
It can’t be…
