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Why am I telling her all of this? It’s not relevant. But I don’t like the way she appears to be panicking.
“You’ll pay me…just to assist you? In nonsexual ways.” She confirms the last part, and when I nod, she lets out a breath of relief.
The truth is tonight was quite easily the best sex I’ve ever had. I’d love nothing more than to fuck her again, but I can’t. She sees too much. I can’t let anyone get that close to me, and sleeping with her again would most certainly blur the lines.
“I’ll pay you well, Cassidy. All on the up-and-up.”
She bites her bottom lip, eyes narrowing into slits. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know if you wanna work for me?”
She lifts one eyebrow, chewing on her tongue. “No. I don’t know.”
I have to refrain from laughing. She’s a shit liar. The second I suggested paying her, her mouth dropped, and she was practically dancing in her seat. Sure, she was shocked, but there was something like relief that washed over her face. Which means she needs the money.
“Won’t it raise suspicions with anyone? If I’m on the books.” She uncrosses her legs and fidgets with her fingers. “If someone sees you’re paying me, then the whole you’re paying me to pretend to be your girlfriend will be hard to keep under wraps.”
“Then I won’t put you on the books. I’ll pay in cash.”
I can practically see her brain sorting through all of the details. Two sides of her warring over what to do. For a short time, I wonder if she’ll reject the offer. Maybe she doesn’t need the money. Maybe she’s fine having a roommate.
“I have to think about it,” she says.
That’s better than no. I stand, heading toward the NDA she filled out earlier. “I’ll need your answer after the game tomorrow. After that, the deal’s off the table.”
I pick up the paper and look at the name signed.
Cassidy Baker.
This will be either the best or worst idea I’ve ever had.
8
CASSIDY
“You’re what?”
Considering what I've just told her, Emma’s reaction is not surprising.
It’s not every day that a person accepts an under-the-table position to act as the girlfriend and life sorter to one of the NHL’s hottest hockey stars.
“Cassidy, have you lost your goddamn mind?” she squeals. “I sent you to that hotel to catch up with the guy. Not to agree to be whisked away for God knows how long.”
“It’s just a few months. Until the Cup. The pay will be worth it, Em. I need it.”
“You don’t. You have shelter and food right here.” Her arms cross over her chest, and she stares down at where I shove my few toiletries into a bag.
“I won’t take up your space anymore. I need to do something with my life.”
She pulls her top lip into her mouth. “Girl, you know there’s always room on my couch for you. You don’t have to go selling your soul for money.” Her hands lift into the air. “You think this is the way? What about your goals?”
I didn’t tell her about his quirks, just that for private reasons he needed me to play the part of his girlfriend, so her shock, of course, isn’t misplaced. I made her swear to keep my secret because if it gets out that I’m playing a role, that will look really bad for Aiden.
If I didn’t trust Emma with my life, I’d never have shared any of it with her. Being as I’ve been living under her roof, I had to give her a valid reason for leaving.
“You’re being dramatic. I’m not selling anything. And he made it clear that he wasn’t trying to have sex with me.” I look up at my friend.
“This isn’t like you. You don’t have to pretend to be someone’s girlfriend for money. You’re beautiful.”
