But I'm tired.
And she's looking at me like she might actually care about the answer.
"It's weird," I admit finally. "Like, really weird. Because at work, he's still... CEO boss-man Victor Kade. You know? The Ice Prince. He barely looks at me in meetings."
"And at home?"
"At home, he’s…different. He makes me coffee in the morning. He remembers how I take it. He leaves me the crossword puzzle half-finished because he knows I like to complete it. He asks if I've eaten." I rub my temples. "Last week I was stress-testing pie crust recipes and made a complete disaster of his kitchen, and instead of being annoyed, he just... helped. Asked questions about technique like he genuinely wanted to know."
Rachel's mouth curves—not quite a smile, but close. "And this is a problem because?"
"Because it's confusing. Because I don't know which Victor is real. The one who forced me into this arrangement and tracks my movements through his driver? Or the one who keeps oat milk in his fridge because I mentioned liking it once?"
"What if they're both real?"
“Wait—what?"
Rachel picks up her coffee—black, no sugar, obviously—and takes a measured sip. "Victor Kade is complicated. He's been running StreamEats since he was twenty-eight. Built it from the ground up after abandoning the family business back in Chicago. He's had to be ruthless to survive in this industry." She pauses. "But he's also capable of caring about people. He just doesn't let many people see it."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're living with him for the next two months, and I'd rather you understand what you're dealing with than stumble through it blind." She sets down her coffee. "Also because I like you."
"You do?"
"Don't sound so shocked. I'm a publicist, not a monster. Well. I'm both. But I can still like people."
She heads toward the door, then pauses.
"One more thing."
I glance up. “Yeah?"
"The Grandview Hotel event on Saturday. It's important. First major public appearance as a couple. Photographers, influencers, the whole circus." Her expression turns serious. "I need you two to look convincing. Not just professional. Convincing."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I need you to look at him the way you look at him when you think no one's watching." She smiles. "Trust me. It won't be hard."
She leaves before I can respond, the studio door clicking shut behind her, and I stand there in the empty kitchen, surrounded by the lingering smell of tourtière and the weight of Rachel's words.
But then my phone buzzes, and I pull it out with shaking hands.
A text from Victor.
VICTOR KADE: Are you still at the studio?
Of course he would text right as Rachel leaves. I reply.
ME: Just finished. Why?
VICTOR KADE: Grandview Hotel opening Saturday, remember?
VICTOR KADE: Black tie
VICTOR KADE: Photographers.
VICTOR KADE: Our first official appearance as a married couple.
