“Hmph.” She wrinkled her nose. Without her makeup, she looked ridiculously young. It was hard to believe she’d wrapped me around her little finger like this, practically begging her not to throw me under the bus. No wonder they put women like her into sales roles—your average doctor wouldn’t stand a chance. Thank God for this watertight NDA. The sooner it was signed, the better.
“I think some sort of plan would probably be best,” she said. “I don’t want you getting your knickers in a twist next time I try to cover for you and don’t get it exactly the way you want it.”
Myknickers? I wasn’t rising to it.
“Your comment is valid. Wewillneed to spend some time preparing. Both for the wedding, and for our… protocol… outside of that.” It didn’t help that Andrea and I worked together. How I was going to navigate a relationship with a colleague—counterfeit or otherwise—was beyond me. But Bonnie had been adamant this was the best path—and at this stage, what choice did we have? Bonnie would have to sort that out for me. Set something up with HR.
“And what to tell our friends and family? I suppose you have a plan for that, too?” she asked.
I didn’t.
“Of course.”
“So you haven’t told your brother about this? That it’s not real?”
“No.”Did she think I was a fool?The last thing we needed was Ben dropping us in it over pillow talk with hisbabe du jour. “We should keep this… operation… as covert as possible. Or, that is, the fact that it’s not entirely legitimate. The only person who knows is my strategic adviser, Bonnie.”
“Of course. I’m sure she has an opinion.” An almost imperceptible roll of the eyes.
“Bonnie and I are aligned.”
She leaned back in the soft cushions and folded her arms. “Well. I’m sorry, but Eliza knows.”
Dammit. Of course she did. They’d seemed very close. Well, close enough to break into an art exhibition together, anyway.
“She’ll have to sign an NDA.”
“My sister will sign nothing.” Her eyes flashed with irritation. “This is between you and me.”
“I see.” Our plan was already leaking at the seams. But wecould hardly go around demanding nondisclosure agreements from everyone in Andrea’s social circle.
“And does anyone else know?”
She paused and took a deep breath, picking at the fabric of the couch. “No.”
That was something. Okay. I needed to back off. I had to have her agreement, and right now, she had the advantage.
“Andrea. I appreciate your…” What did I say?Helpseemed inadequate.Compliancewould definitely strike the wrong nerve. “Your… cooperation. I’m sure you’ll find this worth your while.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she said coldly. “Send me the paperwork, and if we can make this work, let’s talk again. But you won’t impress me with your big-shot connections and…access.” She curved her fingers into air quotes with visible disdain. “Believe it or not, not everyone views people as stepping stones in their careers.”
My ears grew hot. Whatever I said to her was wrong. She was intent on despising me, no matter what I said.
“Understood.”
I stood and held out a hand.
“Pleasure doing business,Liam.”
How did she manage to make my name sound like a disease they warned you about on long-haulflights?
“Likewise,Andrea.”
“I supposeyour peoplewill callmy peoplethen?”
“Something like that.”
I’d have Bonnie send her the paperwork on Monday. Although if this was how the deal started, I hated to think what phase two would look like.
