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“Simple. Right.”
I fold my arms, pissed now. It looks like he’s still the Good Time Charlie he was in high school. God forbid he form a meaningful relationship with anyone. I just pity the girls who thought he could be anything different.
“So?” Charlie asks, looking just as annoyed as I feel. “Are you going to do it?”
I blink in surprise. “You’re still offering me the job?”
“I don’t see I have much choice,” Charlie replies. “The first wedding is this weekend.”
“Way to make a girl feel special.” I crack.
“I’m not wooing you,” Charlie rolls his eyes. “In fact, the whole point of this is that I don’t have to. Because it’s a job.”
A job. Right. That thing which I desperately need.
I pause, wavering. “Olivia mentioned dodging a few exes.”
He grimaces a little. “Well… Yes. There’s no intense bad blood or anything. Just awkwardness.”
“With women who didn’t appreciate the no-commitment thing.”
“Correct. Although I’m always upfront about it.”
Sure he is.
“I can pay.” Charlie continues.
“Ten thousand.”
I stare right into his beautiful eyes for what feels like a full minute. Is he one of these cryptocurrency guys? “Ten thousand what?”
“… Dollars.”
“Ten thousand US dollars?” I burst out. For going along to a few weddings? A high-pitched laughter rises from my throat like a song. “Are youkiddingme?”
He gives a crooked smile. “You know, your negotiation tactics could use some work. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to accept the first offer?”
I lean back in my chair, playing along with the ridiculous moment. “Good point. I don’t exactly have a dozen gowns in my closet, if that’s the expectation.”
“Fair point, actually.” Charlie Fox nods, like my joke is an earnest ask. “I’ll cover expenses for the events—sure.”
I narrow my eyes at him, disbelieving. Surely, he’s operating from guilt about costing me the job with the Bassingers. But ten thousand dollars’ worth of guilt?
I’ll take it.
All I have to do is witness some vows, make some small talk, and put in a few amateur dance moves…
And spend a dozen nights in close proximity to this handsomely infuriating playboy without killing him—or kissing him. Or both.
Simple indeed.
I bite my lip, studying him. “And there’s no…Happy ending… Except the married couple riding off into the sunset, right?”
“Oh, God no—no.” Charlie’s all but sputtering. “That’s not at all what this is. No.No.”
“I get it.” I stop him before he can find another hundred ways to express how horrifying the idea of having sex with me is. I pull myself up by the shoulders, trying to at least maintain the appearance of dignity.
“Anything else I’d need to know?”
