Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“I will once you finally put me out of my misery and leave…” She was whispering. “Or do I have to pay for that, too?”
“You two don’t have to act awkward or hold back on the PDA because I’m here,” Mr. Dillinger said. “Just be natural, and over time it’ll feel like me and my camera crew aren’t here.”
He looked between us. “You do kiss each other goodbye, right?”
“We do.” I planted a kiss on Tatiana’s neck, and she sucked in a breath. “See you later, Mrs. Carter.”
“See you later.”
I walked to the elevator and slammed the down button.
The doors glided open instantly, and Madeline stepped out.
“Heads up,” she said. “I just hired an acclaimed documentary director, and he’s coming to see you at some point today.”
“He’s already here.” I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the advance notice.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Is this how you typically handle your high-profile clients?”
“I mean, you’re my first one, so I guess so.”
What the fuck? “What do you mean I’m your first client?”
“Huhhh?” Her cheeks reddened. “I didn’t—I didn’t say that.”
“Yes, you did.” I stepped closer. “I’m your first client?”
“First client this year.” She was lying like hell. “That’s what I meant.”
She tried to walk past me, but I blocked her.
“You told Ralph that you studied under the best publicist in Los Angeles,” I said, “and that you graduated from a special marketing program with honors.”
“Okay. I said that, but—”
“But what?”
“I wanted to make myself seem like a big deal, to say whatever it took to get this job.” She shrugged. “Everyone exaggerates.”
“No, they don’t,” I said. “Did you really go to Cornell University, or is that an exaggeration, too?”
She looked at the ceiling, as if the answer was up there .
“Yes or no, Madeline? Did you go to Cornell?”
“I took a few tours of the campus and bought a really expensive sweatshirt from their gift shop.”
I shook my head.
There was no point in firing her at this point. Operation Fake Fiancee was too far gone.
“Do you have any more surprises up your sleeve for me?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t predict the future.”
“Just say no, Madeline.”
“Oh, sorry.” She smiled. “There are no more surprises.”
“Thank God.”
“That I know of at this time…”
TWENTY-FIVE
TATIANA
Las Vegas, Nevada
Operation: Fake Fiancee
Week 3
Day 15-16:
Mrs. Carter accompanies Mr. Carter to sponsorship meetings with Tom Ford, Versace, and Audemars Piguet.
Day 17:
Mr. Carter shares an authentic video apology to his fans.
(Please just read it as we rehearsed and don’t add anything else)
Day 18-20:
Mrs. Carter attends an MMA Wives & Girlfriend Weekend Event in Phoenix, Arizona. She will SAY NICE THINGS about Mr. Carter.
Mr. Carter WILL NOT BOTHER Mrs. Carter during this time.
Day 21:
Mr. & Mrs. Carter will fly to Manhattan *together* for an event hosted by Mr. Truss. Details TBD.
*Remember: Week 4 will be a rest week, but I’ll be sure to schedule a dinner for press purposes at least.*
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY ONE DAYS AFTER SAYING “I DO”
TRAVIS
Manhattan, New York
“Congratulations to Mrs. & Mrs. Travis Carter!”
—Your second family at Nike
I stared at the banner that hung from the ceiling in Mr. Truss’s penthouse.
He’d insisted on throwing us a wedding reception since he still “felt some type of way” about us not having a formal ceremony that he could attend.
His wife, the top wedding planner on the east coast, decorated the entire home with red and white roses. She’d also handcrafted a three-tiered cake that featured our likenesses for the cake topper. Tatiana’s clay figure wore a red skating costume, while I wore a bow tie and black fighting shorts.
A part of me thought this was creepy as fuck and completely unnecessary, but there was another part of me—a small, microscopic one—that found it slightly endearing.
He better finally agree to renew my sponsorship contract after all this…
I picked up a glass of champagne and sipped it slow, stealing the umpteenth glance of my wife. Today was the first time I’d seen her in three long days, and I’d sorely missed the view.
Somehow, every dress she wore was more alluring than the last, and today’s short one-shoulder pink number accentuated her every curve, stamping itself into my memories for months to come.
“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d totally buy this entire relationship,” Penelope whispered. “The way you and Tatiana keep gazing at each other every few minutes is top notch acting. I’m actually giddy watching it.”
“Good to know, Crown.”
“Seeing that I’m in on the truth, though—” She looked over her shoulder, making sure no one was within earshot. “Have me and Hayden done enough by showing up and giving a toast, or do you think this Truss guy expects us to stay a little longer?”
“If you leave early, I’m not saving any cake for you. It’s your favorite flavor.”
“His wife made me a separate small one.” She smiled. “She figured I’d be eating for two.”
I glanced at her baby bump. “Everything still going well?”