Page 34
Startled, Bennett glanced to his side, where a girl was grinning widely up at him. Young, long dark hair. Hazel eyes and flawless skin. “Hey,” he said with a small dip of his chin, hoping she’d go away.
“I’m Amelia.”
Okay, so they were doing this. Politely, he said, “Hi, Amelia. I’m Bennett and this is—” He turned to introduce Noah, but his friend was already walking away, the dick.
“I know who you are,” Amelia said. “Congrats on having such a great season. You guys are a lock for first place in the division.”
He nodded, even though they weren’t a lock exactly. They were still two points out of first with a few more weeks of the regular season to go. Anything could happen. “Are you a Reign fan?”
“I grew up in Ottawa, so no. Sorry.”
“They have a good team this year.”
She wrinkled her nose and made a face. “You’re being kind. Their power play has been abysmal and their top three centers can’t stay healthy. They’re probably out of the wild card race.”
No chance Ottawa would make playoffs, but he didn’t say it. “It’s a tough league.”
“Oh, come on.” She nudged his arm. “That sounds like a media sound bite. I want to hear what you really think.”
“Are you a reporter?”
“No. I’m studying to be a veterinarian.”
“Wow, cool. I love animals.”
“Me too.” Her smile grew wider and she moved a little closer. “Do you have any pets?”
“Nah. Seems cruel when I’m away so much.”
“Your girlfriend lives out of town, right?”
So she knew about his fake personal life. That saved him from having to bring it up himself—an awkward conversation that always felt wrong on his tongue. Sorry, I’m dating a woman who lives out of town. No, really. I am. Please believe me. I am definitely not gay. “Yeah, she does. The pets will need to wait, unfortunately.”
“She’s very lucky.”
Bennett knew this part. He’d repeated it often in all the years he and Lauren had been fake dating. “I’m the lucky one. She’s an amazing person.”
“I bet. The whole internet is obsessed with her.”
“They are?” He tried to stay off the internet as much as possible, preferring to let his management team handle his PR.
“Oh, my god, yes. She did a Get Ready With Me before a game once and all the skincare products she used sold out in a matter of hours.”
“Get ready with me?”
“It’s a video. You show yourself getting ready for an event or the day and talk to the camera the whole time.” When he didn’t respond, Amelia chuckled. “God, you’re so adorable for a boomer.”
“Hey,” he said, knowing that was an insult. “I’m only thirty-one.”
“I know.” Edging closer, Amelia sucked her drink through the tiny straw, drawing his attention to her lipstick-coated mouth. A waste of effort, he wanted to tell her. “Sooo,” she said carefully, drawing the word out. “I’m curious. Do the two of you have an open relationship or an arrangement . . . ?”
“Mr. Verreault?”
Like it was a lifeline, Bennett spun toward the stranger speaking his name. Standing there was one of the club bouncers, an earpiece jammed in his ear. “Yes?”
“Someone would like to speak with you. Follow me, sir.”
After he excused himself to Amelia, he trailed the bouncer downstairs and through a side door he hadn’t noticed before. Then they were in a quiet hallway and Bennett was confused. What the fuck was happening? Was this about the bill? “Where are we going?”
