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I examined them both. Cobb sounded better. Liam came over, his shirt now neatly tucked in, and grabbed the box of Caesar I held out for him.
For a few minutes, the only sound was us ripping into plastic containers and cracking into our water bottles. He, of course, drank his looking like he’d just walked out of a Gatorade commercial, while I sipped nervously at mine.
“I’m sorry I barged in on you.”
He smiled at me, silver eyes bright. “It’s not a big deal. We shared a bed last weekend. I don’t think seeing me with my shirt half off will change much now. Even if it’s just as colleagues.”
I coughed. At which he raised his brows, a deadly grin taking hold. “Unless, that is, it did change something.” His stare climbed my body, lingering on the smooth scoop neckline of my simple black tee.
“Um, no. Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, it didn’t change anything. I’m still here for business. And salads.” As if to emphasize the point, I held up my fork, a piece of romaine stuck to the end, and folded it into my mouth, chewing noisily.
He dropped his chin with a huff, digging back into his own lunch. After a few minutes, I’d calmed my body and stomach enough to start chatting about my idea.
“Are you okay if I start talking? You can stop me anytime.”
Liam held up a thumbs-up, motioning me onward.
“We’ve been talking a lot about how to make you more appealing, less risky to the shareholders who worry about your nighttime activities.”
He opened his mouth to defend himself.
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I’m just saying that men in committed relationships are generally better paid and respected than their peers.”
“I’m not following.”
“We’re going to get you a girlfriend.”
He chuckled. “Is this going to get me sent to HR?”
“Not if we do it correctly. I believe a short-term relationship, one that is friendly to the press and social outlets, will be vital to changing how the shareholders see you. After the shareholders’ meeting, you can utilize your new position to impress them professionally, and the girlfriend will become a thing of the past.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious.”
“Absolutely.”
“And where do you expect to get a media-friendly, short-term girlfriend who understands the assignment?”
“Well, that’s simple.” I cleared my throat loudly. “It’d be me.”
“You’re insane.” He leaned back, reclining against the back of the small sofa. I couldn’t help but follow the roll of his hips as he settled back.
I failed to keep the bite out of my words. “Why? Because someone like you doesn’t date someone like me?”
“Yes, exactly. We don’t.”
My heart sank through the floor.
Liam’s eyes widened, and he leaned back towards me, one hand extended as if he meant to touch me. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant it because people like you are smart enough to stay away from men like me.”
My shoulders drooped with relief.
Liam stood, pacing over the rug, his hands working through his still-damp hair. “You know what this would mean, right? The press would be all over us. Given it’s me, they are just as likely to think it’s just some crazy sex thing as they would assume we are in a nice, wholesome relationship.”
“That’s where I come in. Last week aside, I am a simple person. I don’t go out, I sometimes wear pajamas to the grocery store, and I haven’t had a serious relationship in years. I’m the perfect candidate to throw some ice on your game, as you said it before.”
Liam continued pacing.
“I’ve spent my entire career around the media, managing profiles and clients. I can present us as the happiest couple in the entire freaking world. You will be marked as a changed man, one with a nice, unexciting girl on his arm. All the more appealing to your shareholders, who are craving a converted family man.”
