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“It has to look real, which means kissing might be involved. Can you handle it?”

“I have no choice. I understand you need to convince your father.”

“He’s already suspicious because I’ve never mentioned you. We need to make this a performance of a lifetime.”

“I know what it is like to have a boyfriend. I’ll just channel my past experiences.”

“Will you invite your family?”

“I would. Zane is still not too keen on you.”

“Perhaps I should explain my reasons for not investing in his company.”

“I’m not sure he would care to hear the explanation.”

“I’m sure he thinks I did it to be an asshole. Nothing could be further from the truth. I saw potential in Eltech, but I was spread too thin financially at the time. My liquid assets were devoted elsewhere.”

“I’m not the one you should be telling that to.”

“But, I want your family to be comfortable with me.”

“I’m sure it will all turn out fine. I’ll need a new dress for the party. I can go after work.”

Foster pushes back from his desk and pulls a white envelope out from his top desk drawer, then slides it across to me.

I eye it. “What’s this?”

“Credit cards. I put you on my account. Use them for whatever you need.”

I withdraw my hand as if burned. “I have my own money.”

Foster sighs. “This is part of being married.”

“How would you know? Have you ever been?”

“No, but I see how my father is with my mother. He’s very generous, and I want to be, too.”

“Be generous with your time. Make it seem like we’re a real couple.”

“Take the cards, and I’ll try my best. Next Saturday will be a test for us.”

“I can do my part if you can.”

“I’ll have no problem. I want my company to remain in one piece.”

“Then, we’re set.”

Mark interrupts us, letting Foster know he has a call holding.

“I need to take this.”

“What should I do?” I ask.

“You’re still an employee of Black Industries. Don’t you have work to do?”

I sigh, saying, “You’ll need to stop speaking to me in that tone.”

“Paige, I don’t have time for this right now. We can talk later.”