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“We have weekly coffee dates at the star-sighting Queen Bean in Tuxedo Park. Then we have a standing Saturday morning grocery shopping date at the Farmer’s Market on Peachtree.”
“Solid plan,” “There’s a bigger problem.” Eva shakes her head. “You’re going to fall for him.”
“Pfft. Never.”
Eva points at me. “You say that now, but promise me you won’t. He’s a heart breaker.”
“Promise.” I lift my chin.
“Look, Riley. I’m with Eva. I don’t think you two are going to have any trouble convincing people you’re a couple. But you’re gonna struggle not falling for each other.” Sophie waggles her brows. “And you’re gonna end up drilling each other into a mattress.”
I shake my head furiously. “That’s not even close to being true. He’d have to look at me first.”
“That’s just him trying not to have a perma-boner at work.” Sophie smiles proudly.
Eva claps, but I cock my head. “Super helpful, Soph.”
“Revenge is a cold bitch, isn’t she?” She rubs her belly. “It’s why I’m here. And I’ll be here. On this couch. Basically forever.”
5
The Paper Charade
When Maddox’s driver pulls the tinted-windowed Escalade up to Billy’s Moroccan-inspired ivory castle in Buckhead, my jaw drops.
“Dad’s house isn’t too shabby, eh?” Maddox’s lip ticks up as he shoots me a glance.
I shrug. “Eh.”
After we drive over the bridge and through the gates, Maddox quirks a brow. “How about now?”
With a full view of the mansion, I blink. It’s wall-to-wall French doors and patios. Palm trees, greenery, and flower gardens cover the grounds, and a three-tiered fountain adorns the entrance. This all seems to contradict Billy’s minimalism, but I keep that to myself. “Not bad.”
Growing up, my parents had money, but nothing close to this. Now that they’ve lost it all, seeing this makes me nostalgic for days long gone. It also makes me beyond grateful to have opportunities like this because I know it can all disappear in an instant.
After the driver parks, Maddox looks at me and says, “Ready?”
“Sort of.”
He clasps his hands. “We got this. We did our homework.”
“Pop quiz.” I lift my chin. “What’s my favorite Taylor Swift era?”
He points at me. “Red.” He sucks air through his teeth. “No. Reputation.”
“You almost got it wrong.”
“But I didn’t.” He juts his chin. “We’re gonna nail this.”
When Maddox steps out of the SUV, his bodyguard gets out of the front seat, too. He stands watch while Maddox helps me out of the tall vehicle. I don’t know if it’s for show, and I’m not usually big on chivalry, but right now, Ireallyneed the assistance. If I thought wearing a normal gown was uncomfortable, this is next-level. I’m afraid if I inhale too deeply, I’ll crack my paper-mâché bodice. If I spill something on myself, a common occurrence for me, unfortunately, I’ll dissolve my dress. So, yeah, I feel like a delicate paper doll.
All that said, it’s pretty cool I’m donning the most gorgeous gown ever, and it’s made of toilet paper. I’m amazed at my best friend, even though I already know how gifted she is. The dress’s silhouette is a waterfall of pink toilet paper-crafted flower petals. A thin layer of white toilet paper, like ripples of tulle, veils the top. Tiny embroidered-looking buttons line the back of my corset, and they’re just balls of paper.
After Maddox helps me out, he eyes me up and down, not bothering to hide the fact that he’s gawking. He scrubs a hand over his face. “I can’t get over how exquisite you look.”
Okay, Maddox Winter just called me exquisite, and my insides launch into a gymnastics routine. I show exactly none of this when I say, “Thank you.”
And it’s not just me. Tonight, Maddox looks like he’s been ripped straight off the cover ofGQ. His black tuxedo accents his fit body. His sapphire bow tie and lapels make his eyes look impossibly blue, and his dark hair spikes in all the right places. My mouth curves. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
