Page 62 of Pretend To Be Mine

He smiled, squeezing my hands. “You’re going to be perfect. Just follow my lead, play off whatever I say, and remember—we’re America’s sweethearts now. Everyone already loves us.”

The producer stuck her head in. “Two minutes! Places, please!”

Adrian kept holding my hand as we sat on the couch facing the camera.

“Here we go,” he murmured.

The Morning Manhattan logo appeared on the monitor, followed by the show’s hosts—a perky blonde woman named Jessica and her co-host Michael, who had the kind of smile that probably made him very popular with the over-fifty demographic.

Smarmy. That was my first thought.

But I didn’t have to like him. I just had to smile pretty and look like I was in love.

“And we’re back!” Jessica chirped. “Now, you’ve all seen the headlines. Fashion royalty Adrian Blackwell is engaged! And we have the happy couple here with us this morning to talk about tonight’s big event. Adrian, Elizabeth, welcome!”

“Thanks for having us,” Adrian said smoothly.

The interview flowed easily. They asked questions about how we met, about the ring, and about Fashion of Love Week. I barely said ten words. I didn’t have to. I played my part and let Adrian have the spotlight.

Then Jessica leaned forward with a conspiratorial smile. “Okay, we have a special segment we’d love to do with you two. As America’s newest ‘it couple,’ would you share your Top Three Fashion Tips for New Couples?”

Adrian gently touched my thigh in a silent show of support.

“We’d love to,” I said, surprised my voice came out steady.

Adrian pulled out a card someone had prepared. Did he know the question was coming?

“Number one,” Adrian started. “Match but don’t be twins. It’s fine to complement each other’s style, but you don’t want to be mistaken for coworkers at a corporate retreat.”

“Exactly,” I added. “Coordination, not duplication. If he’s wearing navy, maybe I’ll wear cream with navy accents. We’re a couple, not a uniform.”

I continued reading from the card. “Number two, dress for the same event. If she’s in an evening gown and he’s in sneakers, something went very wrong.”

“Make sure your formality levels match,” Adrian elaborated. “Nothing says ‘we don’t communicate’ like showing up to the same event dressed for completely different occasions. And number three, be comfortable. New couples do a lot of cuddling and snuggling⁠—”

“So much snuggling,” I interjected. Adrian’s smile turned genuine, not practiced. There was an actual sparkle in his eyes.

“If your outfit restricts you from being affectionate, it’s not the right outfit,” Adrian said. “If you can’t lift your arm to wrap around your girl, it’s not the one.”

“That’s wonderful advice!” Michael said. “Though I have to ask, do you two follow your own rules?”

“We try,” Adrian said, looking at me with an expression that made my stomach flip. “Though I’ll admit, I don’t always match properly. Elizabeth has to fix my ties constantly.”

“That’s not true,” I protested. “You always look perfect.”

“Only because you help me.”

The hosts ate it up. We wrapped the segment with some light banter about the show that night. By the time the camera light went off, I was buzzing with adrenaline.

“That was amazing!” Jessica gushed as soon as we were off air. “You two are absolutely adorable together. The chemistry is off the charts.”

If only she knew.

We made it back to Adrian’s office and both collapsed on his couch, the tension finally breaking.

“We did it,” I said, staring at the ceiling. “National television and I didn’t throw up or pass out or say something stupid.”

“You were perfect.” Adrian’s voice was warm. “Better than perfect. You’re a natural at this now.”