Page 42 of The Plus One Pact

"We're talking about Ivy's work as a sex therapist," I say. "She's explaining what she'd do with a client who can't come."

"She's like Gillian Anderson on Sex Education," Sasha says.

Ivy laughs. "I get that a lot, yes."

"You have the same demeanor as her. The same sexy older woman vibe too," Sasha says. "Only younger. Like she did on the X-files. She projects authority."

"Are you hitting on my fake girlfriend?" I ask.

"She's your fake girlfriend," Sasha says. "Not your real girlfriend. And maybe." She smiles, the complete opposite of demure. She brings the mug to her mouth and blows away the hot air. "So, Ivy, I hate to get right to business, but I do have to protect my friend."

Ivy doesn't shrink from the change in tone.

"Does Daniel know you're a sex therapist?" she asks.

”I haven’t told him, but I’m sure he vetted Ivy thoroughly once we had her name.” He said he needed it for the wedding, but I’m sure spying was a relatively high priority too.

Sasha shoots me a please look. "He won't approve."

"But he'll understand it." And he'll believe I'm having great sex with her. And thus, not be interested in Cynthia. Not that I've ever been interested in Cynthia. It's ridiculous. But sometimes logic just doesn't work.

"And what would you do if one of your friends found out about Romeo's job?" she asks. "Would you tell them the truth? Or make up a lie?"

Chapter Ten

Romeo

"How would anyone find out?" I ask, before Ivy has a chance to reply. The truth is: I don't want to know how she'd react to her friends discovering my career.

It doesn't matter.

It's not a possibility.

"Everyone gets outed eventually, Rome," Sasha says. "We talked about this when we started—"

"Have you?" I ask.

Sasha folds her palms in her lap. "This isn't about me."

"If I can interrupt," Ivy says. "I'm not a good liar. If someone comes to me with evidence, I won't lie to them about it."

"You mean, you'll confess the relationship was fake?" Sasha asks.

"I won't bring it up. Or tell your family. Or answer any sort of direct question—though who would ask, 'are you really dating my brother'?"

"Daniel," Sasha and I say at the same time.

Ivy looks to me. "I'd be embarrassed, to have people know I paid for sex. That's true. But I wouldn't hide it."

"Woah, woah, woah. Hold the phone." Sasha throws her arm in the air. "Ivy is a client?" Sasha folds her arms. "You know our rules, Rome."

"We're not dating," I say. "And she’s not paying anymore. We have a business arrangement. Her pretend love for my—"

"Amazing dick?" Sasha rolls her eyes so hard I expect them to blast into space.

Ivy blushes. "I appreciate you trying to protect your friend, Sasha. That's what good friends do."

Sasha leans back, satisfied by her answer. " Daniel is going to see through this. How would you two have even met?"