Page 24 of Fake it for Keeps

“It’s already started.” I pulled out my phone and opened the email Colt had sent earlier. “He sent me an itinerary. It’s bonkers.”

I turned the screen so they could see the color-coded calendar charting the next several weeks.

Fundraisers. Galas. Investor meetings. Public appearances. Lunch with his business partners. Dinner with his sister.

“When are you supposed to do all this?” Hallie scrolled through the dates. “You have like three events next week alone.”

“I quit my job today,” I said.

Mom coughed, clearly shocked. “You quit?”

I nodded. I had avoided telling her that part. I knew exactly what she was going to say when I told her. “It was in the contract. No wife of Colt Jesson clocks in for a nine-to-five.” I rolled my eyes. “His words, not mine. Apparently, it would look bad for his image.”

“Hallie.” Mom’s voice was thick with concern. “What if this doesn’t work out? What if something goes wrong?”

“Then I find another salon,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Or I rent my chair back. Laura said she’d hold it for me if she could. The risk is small, especially considering the money.”

“The money isn’t everything.”

“No, but it’s enough to restore the house. And the money is more than I would make in five years. Mom, I know this is scary. I know it’s risky. But I need to do this. Not just for the money, but for closure, I guess. Colt broke something in me ten years ago. Maybe this is my chance to fix it.”

“Or maybe he’ll break you again,” she said softly.

“He won’t. Because this time, I’m in control. This time, I know exactly what he is. And I won’t make the mistake of falling for him again.”

Even as I said the words, something uncomfortable shifted in my chest. But I ignored it.

“I’m sorry if you guys get a lot of media attention,” I said, looking around the table. “Apparently, I’m now a person of public interest. Which is wild. But if reporters start showing up, or if people start asking questions, just don’t answer. And I’ll give you money. For the inconvenience.”

“We don’t want your money,” Hallie said firmly. “We want you to be safe.”

“And happy,” April added. “Although I would love some money.”

“I’ll be safe,” I promised, grinning. “Just… you might not see much of me over the next couple months. This schedule is packed.”

Mom looked at me with an expression that said there was a lecture on the tip of her tongue. I could see her warring with herself on whether or not she should say it. The protective mother who wanted to lock me in my room and keep me safe versus the woman who’d raised me to be independent and make my own choices.

Finally, she sighed. “Just promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“If it gets to be too much. If he hurts you or if you feel like you’re in over your head. Promise you’ll walk away. Contract or no contract. Promise me.”

I thought about the hundred and fifty grand already sitting in my bank account. About the beach house and all the memories wrapped up in those weathered walls. About the look on Colt’s face when I would finally tell him who I really was and what he’d done to me.

“I promise,” I said.

We finished dinner talking about lighter things, like April’s new boyfriend, Hallie’s hope to get promoted, Mom’s book club drama. But underneath it all, I could feel the weight of what I’d agreed to. The clock was ticking. Valentine’s Day was less than two months away.

And somewhere across the city, Colt Jesson was probably planning our next public appearance, completely unaware that the woman he’d hired to fix his reputation was planning to destroy him instead.

My father would have loved the poetry of it.

Take his money. Break his heart. Get even.

I repeated the mantra silently.