AllFreeNovel
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I take a deep breath and begin to skim through the pages, trying to absorb the details of the agreement. It's all laid out in black and white. They've thought of everything. There are terms about social media posts, interviews, and even a clause about a minimum number of times we need to engage in some sort of PDA per month.
I look up at Grayson, who is watching me with an intensity that makes me shift where I stand. Up until today, I'd always thought it was lame when people described feeling butterflies fluttering in their stomachs when their crush was around.
Now, it's like there's a whole swarm of them inside me, dancing and twirling, trying to escape.
"So, what do you think?" Grayson asks, breaking the silence.
"It all seems reasonable, I guess. I mean, when you overlook the fact that I'm signing an agreement to pretend to be someone's girlfriend."
Tate takes the contract and slides it back into his briefcase with a satisfied smile. "Well then, it's official. Welcome to Team Grayson, Tyley."
Oh, what did I just get myself into?
"This calls for a toast!" Grayson exclaims, clapping his hands together. He leads me out of his study and into the living room, where a massive bar stands. He walks behind it and begins to mix the alcohol expertly, his broad shoulders flexing with each practiced movement.
"Didn't know you were some sort of expert."
"I worked as a bartender before I made it big. It was a long time ago, but I still remember a thing or two."
He makes a point of throwing the bottle into the air and catching it with a flourish, making it clear he remembers far more.
"I thought you didn't like fake modesty," I tease him, leaning into the bar. He chuckles and begins pouring his concoction into two tall glasses. "So, what is it?"
"A special little something for my gorgeous new girlfriend."
He slides one of the glasses toward me and raises his own. I clink my drink with his and take a sip, half-expecting it to be too bitter or too sweet. Instead, I'm met with a burst of flavors dancing on my tongue. It's a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and tangy freshness, with just the right amount of kick from the alcohol. I raise an eyebrow at Grayson, impressed.
"Wow, I've got to say, this isn't half bad."
"I don't do anything halfway, Ty. So, now that we've toasted to our, well, let's call it a business agreement, it's time we discussed an important part of the PDA clause."
"Oh, God." I groan, flushing despite my better efforts not to. "Do we have to?"
"Have to? No. But I sure as hell enjoy seeing you blush that way," he winks at me, all smugness and charm, and I wish my knee-jerk reaction were to cringe. "Lucky for you, we already have some shared experience in that department, don't we?"
Memories of our impromptu make-out session in the bathroom the first night we met flood my head, making me feel a mix of embarrassment and excitement.
"I'm not going to be making out with you in public, just so you know. A kiss or two, a hug, maybe, and that's a big maybe, sitting on your lap and whispering in your ear. I'm your fake girlfriend, not your plaything."
Grayson smirks, taking a sip of his drink. "Oh, come on, where's the fun in that?"
I roll my eyes but can't help but smile. Even though I'm wary of this whole charade, there's something undeniably captivating about this man. He's confident and charming, and there's a lightness to him that's contagious.
"So, since we're past the 'I hate your guts' phase, I think I'll ask about that MMA amateur status again. Do you plan on competing?"
I finish the last of my drink, placing it back on the counter before answering. "Yeah, I'd like to. It's a big step, and I want to make sure I'm ready before making that leap, you know?"
"I could give you a few pointers if you like. And all of this publicity will open some doors for you when you're finally ready to go for it."
"Thanks for the offer, Grayson, but I think I'll continue training with my coach for now," I reply, trying to keep my tone polite but firm. "I appreciate your support."
He nods, shrugging as he begins preparing another round of drinks. "And what about that jackass of an ex-boyfriend that brought us together? What's the story there?"
At that, I sigh, reluctant to speak about Adam at all after everything he's been doing lately, but I suppose I owe Grayson an explanation.
"We were together for about six months. We were friends before that, and though he could be a bit high-strung back then, he was nice. I figured, what's the harm in giving him a chance?”
I wrinkle my nose, feeling stupid and vulnerable admitting to this, but I force myself to continue. I can’t keep bottling all of this up.
