Page 10 of Fake It For Glory

“I talk to you,” I said.

“That’s not the same thing,” she said. “I’m your sister. I’m not a friend.”

“I have Christian. He’s my friend.”

“True,” she said, nodding. “But that’s not quite what I’m getting at.”

I rolled my eyes. “A woman.”

She nodded. “Yes. A woman. Someone to soften you. A woman that makes you look a little more human.”

“A woman.” I mused over the idea. “You think that’s the magic bullet?”

“Yes.”

“Hattie, you know how women are. They see my face and my money. They don’t see me. I’m just a means to an end. I don’t like women.”

“Fine, we’ll get you a man.”

“Oh no.” I shook my head. “I don’t want a man. I’m saying women don’t like me.”

“I beg to differ,” she said, laughing. “I’ve seen plenty of women fall all over themselves to get to you.”

“No, you’ve seen them try to get to my money. I don’t know how to dumb down my vocabulary or give a shit about who’s fucking who in Hollywood. I’ll admit, I’m not the most popular guy and that’s cool. I’ve never been popular.”

“But we can fix that,” she said.

“I’m just being honest. I’m not popular but that’s because I’m different. I’m not a follower. I’m not a sheep.”

“You’re a wolf,” she said. “You’re a lone wolf.”

“I’m an asshole,” I said, laughing. “That’s why I’m not popular.”

“Whatever,” she said. “You’re an amazing guy who’s changing the world. You’re creative. You’re smart. You’re tolerant and open-minded. You’re so giving. You’re kind.”

“You have to say that because you’re my sister,” I said, laughing.

“Maybe, but I have an idea.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I am not letting you set me up on a blind date. We did that already and it was a fucking nightmare.”

“No, this is different. Have you ever heard of the Faux Agency?”

“No.”

Her face lit up and I knew I was in trouble.