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“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you!” She squealed. “I bribed his secretary for his personal calendar, stalked him the moment he landed, and snuck into that private brunch to make my move.” She was officially the most unhinged person I’d ever met. “Impressive, huh?”
“Miss Dawson…” I tried to keep my voice firm. “Now is the perfect time for you to join Mr. Stuart in the hallway and tell him that everything you told him was a lie.”
“A lie?”
“Yes, as in something untrue and far-fetched, something that’ll never be real.”
“I’ve told you that I pride myself on complete and utter honesty.” She still looked excited. “Those words were one-hundred percent real, and I’m pretty sure that Mr. Truss really wants to meet you and your fiancée over dinner.”
“You can still save this moment with a punchline,” I said. “You’ve got ten seconds to tell me this is a joke.”
“There is no punchline,” she said. “As long as you bring your fiancée along to the dinner, I’m sure they’ll stay aboard as your sponsor. Are you having trouble understanding that?”
“How the hell can I bring along someone who doesn’t exist?”
“Oh, I…” Her face paled. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
“You’re not thinkingat all.” I was moments away from losing my shit. “Go out there and take back everything you said. Now.”
The door swung open before she could move, and Mr. Stuart returned.
“Mr. Truss is thrilled about this development!” He smiled. “He’ll be in touch with Miss Dawson soon, and he promises to keep your secret under wraps.”
“I don’t have a secret, Mr. Stuart,” I said. “The truth is—”
“We look forward to his call!” Madeline cut me off and walked toward him. “Can’t wait!”
I watched them exchange a few final pleasantries, and my blood boiled as she escorted him to the exit.
“You should get on your knees and thank me, Mr. Carter.” She returned. “I just ensured that you won’t lose out on millions of dollars from your top sponsor.”
“No, you justlied.” I corrected her. “What am I supposed to say when he mentions me and my nonexistent fiancé’s ghost baby?”
“Try to throw in how much you’re hoping for a son first, since I kind of already said that.”
Ralph shook his head, and I glared at her in disbelief.
“Um, so, on another note,” she said, “ your face is super red and there’s a huge vein bulging out of your neck. Would you like me to call an ambulance for you on my way out?”
“You’re not going anywhere.” I locked the door. “You’re going to take a seat and figure out how to reverse what you’ve done before anyone else finds out about this mess.”
“Don’t hate me, but I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.” She lowered her voice. “I may have called and told a few of your other sponsors the same story.”
“Define a few.”
“You don’t need to worry. They’ve all signed NDAs and they truly admire how well you’ve kept your personal life to yourself.”
“Define a few.” I repeated. “Now.”
“A little under forty…” She swallowed. “Are you sure you don’t want that ambulance?”
FIVE & A HALF
PRESENT DAY
TRAVIS
Several Hours Later
