I hadn’t even thought about giving the press details at all. Sure, I played pro hockey, but I wasn’t one of the superstar players. Hockey fans in Houston know my name, but that’s about it. Living with the limelight Libby’s been in her whole life will be entirely new to me.
“We’ll plan an intimate, family-only ceremony—or should we run off somewhere and elope on a beach? Probably that. Super romantic, fewer lies to our family…” She’s thinking out loud at this point, but she stops again and turns to me. “Is your mom going to kill you if you run off and elope?”
Probably, but Libby doesn’t need to hear that right now. Especially since I agree that running off to elope is the better choice. I can’t stand up in front of my mom and make marriage vows to a woman I don’t love, to a woman I barely know. “It will be fine. I agree we should elope.”
Libby stops in front of me and puts her hands on her hips. “And we will have to make some strict rules.”
Unfortunately, she looks very hot as she says this. She’s eyeing me with fierce hazel eyes and a determined expression.
“Of course,” I manage to say.
“All physical affection isonlywhen we’re in public.”
“Obviously.”
“And we will make a plan for the level of physical affection as per the event.”
I am completely unsurprised that this woman has been running a private investigations firm successfully. Planning our PDA based on the event is an attention to detail I can only dream about.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees and looking up at her. “Exactly what type of event would require, say … a kiss?” I ask, my tone playful.
She narrows her eyes. “No flirting in private, Jordan. Remember?”
I straighten, holding my hands up in surrender. “That was not flirting. I was simply trying to … clarify. Make sure I’m fully briefed on the details.”
She drags a hand down her face. “This is probably a big mistake.”
I stand and put my hands on her shoulders gently. “If we start out the relationship by saying how we kept everything a secret to keep it out of the press, it’s going to be fine when we’re not very affectionate in public. Plenty of celebrity couples keep things chill in front of the cameras, right?”
She lets out a breath and nods. “Yeah. You’re right.”
I tilt her chin up to look at me. “Everything’s going to be fine, Libby Bennet. What are you afraid of?”
She says it so quietly I can’t be sure, but I think she says, “You.”
CHAPTER 7
LIBBY
Over the next couple weeks, we set up our con.
We spend a lot of time together. We go on dates to purposefully get spotted, but we act like just friends. Speculation shows up, but only with my biggest fans, the ones that pay attention to my every move.
We post one picture together of us at lunch. I choregraph the pose to a T. We look friendly but like there could be more. Our shoulders are touching as we lean toward each other. The caption is innocent:Lunch with Jordan Atkinson from @The.Redhaven.Foundation. Please donate to this amazing cause.
The comments fill with conjecture. Jordan reports with awe that they collect five thousand dollars in small donations just that day. They also fill up with well-meaning fans asking questions and subtly reminding me exactly why we’re doing this.
Are they dating? So happy she has someone to look out for her. *heart-eyes emoji*
After everything Grayson Hollis did, we want to see Libby happy. Be good to her, Jordan!
I bet @Ellie.Bennet.IRL and @janellejbbaldwin are keeping a close eye on him!
TheBeing Libby Bennetcrew comes to a fundraising dinner for Redhaven Foundation and records every interaction Jordan and I have—the way we stand close but don’t touch, how I guide him around the room and introduce him to big donors, the way he lays a hand lightly on my back as we move forward before he quickly drops it.
Spending this much time with Jordan definitely makes me second-guess every decision I’ve made since telling Mr. Stevens I was engaged to him. Do I really need a hockey team? And if Victoria and the other producers get to choose the direction of the show, is it that big of a deal?
Yes. Everything in me revolts at someone else choosing the narrative for me. The hockey team is my biggest trump card, one that I can play over and over again. I’m not willing to give it up.
