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Zoey says nothing, but she does slowly slide her arm up around my waist, holding me back. Kyle stares at us, his nostrils flaring like he’s annoyed that I burst his perfect little bubble. I’m pretty sure he wanted to rub his happiness in Zoey’s face, but instead, I’ve made it so Zoey is in a relationship and is completely fine without him.
The opposite of what he wanted.
Fucking prick.
As I glance down at Zoey, the bright smile plastered across her face lets me know I have done the right thing as she cuddles into me further.
Kyle grunts and says something under his breath I don’t quite catch. “Fine! I’ll see you both there. And Tamara will want to discuss dress options for Hailee.”
“You got it. We’re so happy for you. Hailee will be too.”
The asshole turns up his nose, not saying anything else as his eyes meet mine, a definite glare being shot my way as he spins on his steel-capped toes and heads for the elevator.
We wait until he’s firmly inside before Zoey finally lets me go, though I really wish she wouldn’t, and she spins to face me, her eyes wide as saucers. “Thank you! That was so nice of you, and I will be eternally grateful. But when the time comes, I will say I am sick and can’t attend the wedding. Again, thanks for putting him in his place. The guy thinks he can lord everything over me… his money, his relationship.” She lets out a heavy exhale, and I scoff.
“Oh no… we aregoingto that wedding.”
Zoey shakes her head. “No, you don’t understand. He will grill you if you’re dating me, which you’re not. He will want to know everything about you andusas a couple. It can’t possibly work, Mr. Branson. Plus, you’re my boss, so… there’sthat.”
Shrugging, I sigh. Yeah, this goes against everything I just discussed with Lucas, but Kyle fucking aggravates me, and honestly, I want to stick it to the asshole.
“Okay, so we rehearse. We have time. We learn everything we need about each other until the big day. I’ll come around tonight, and we can start practicing our spiel. Thiswillwork, Zoey. We will stick it to Kyle once and for all.”
She shakes her head. “What about Hailee?”
“We tell her the truth.”
Zoey tenses. “She won’t understand.”
“She will. That little cutie is smart. We tell her we are fake dating so her father doesn’t pick on you at the wedding. She can help us study.”
Zoey nervously laughs, her beautiful eyes meeting mine. “Are we really doing this?”
“I’ll bring the takeout. Is there anything you are both allergic to or won’t eat?”
Zoey seems shocked as Nash walks in. “Ahh… no. We eat everything.”
“Good! I’ll come by your house straight after work then.”
Nash raises his brow but walks past, signaling me to follow him.
I dip my head and smile at Zoey.
I better go explain to Nash.
Zoey seems completely numb as she slumps on her office chair while I turn and follow Nash into his office, closing the door behind me.
Nash sinks into his seat and huffs. “You’re going over to Zoey’s for dinner? Something I need to know about?”
“Okay, the first thing I need you to remember is that her ex, Kyle, is the biggest fucking dickhead this side of Baton Rouge.”
Nash smirks, tilting his head. “I won’t argue with you there, but go on.”
“He came into the office, talking shit and trying to manipulate Zoey. He was being a fucking jerk using their daughter as leverage to make Zoey feel bad.”
“What does this have to do with you going to her house for dinner?”
“Kyle’s getting married, and he asked Zoey to attend the wedding in two weeks. I could tell she was freaking out about it, so I stepped in to help her out so she wouldn’t feel so alone.”
