Page 5 of The Boyfriend Experience

“Who?”

“Lawton,” I say.

“No, from who?” she clarifies. “From me?”

“Yes. See, he’s got this meeting with the Home TV people next week. He’s putting together some pitch for a real-estate show and he needs a partner.”

She blinks at me. Three times slowly. “What?”

So I explain. And I expect all kinds of reactions from Oaklee Ryan over this little snag, but she is surprisingly calm. In fact she’s almost thoughtful. Contemplative as I fill her in on his stupid idea. She doesn’t even ask about his long-term expectations—which, if you ask me, are also stupid. She only says, “Will this interview be taped?”

I shrug. Because I have no clue. But then I say, “Probably,” just to cover my bases.

She thinks about that. Poker face in place. Then she nods her head and says, “Agreed. I’ll throw in the Girlfriend Experience as a bonus.”

I smile, cautiously. Because there’s too many ways to interpret that little comment for it to be a comfortable smile.

But the deal is done, that money is mine, and that’s all I needed. So I just say, “Then let the game begin.”

CHAPTER TWO - LAWTON

“Yup,” I say into my phone.

“It’s on,” Jordan says. “She agreed to be your partner for the interview next week and you’ve agreed to give her a boyfriend experience. She’s expecting you tonight at seven. So just show up at the brewhouse and like… pretend you’re strangers and shit. Like stare at her, and introduce yourself—”

“I don’t need pointers on how to meet a girl, asshole. I know how to pick up a girl.”

“Yup,” he says. “Understood. Just… be careful.”

“Careful? Why?”

“I gotta go. But if you have any issues, call me, OK?”

I’m still wondering what careful means when I get the hang-up beeps. “Fucker,” I say, putting my phone down.

“Who was that?” Zack asks. I can see him through my open office door, leaning against the copy machine looking like a model on the cover of Le Mans magazine. Short dark hair, expensive suit, watch that costs as much as most people pay for a car catching the afternoon sun on his wrist.

“Jordan,” I say. “He found me a partner for the meeting next week.”

“Who?” Zack laughs, folding his arms across his chest.

“A woman,” I say. Which makes Zack snort. “Owns a local business, young, attractive, go-getter. She’s gonna make the perfect girlfriend.”

“Don’t do it, man. This is a very bad idea.”

“I want this show.”

“I get it,” Zack says, walking into my office and dropping into a chair on the other side of my desk. “I do. I mean, I’m looking for something more as well. But lying to get on TV?” He shakes his head. “It’s gonna blow up in your face. You have to know that.”

“I think I can pull it off. And besides, I’ve got a week to feel this girl out and see if she’s a good fit.”

“I can see the headlines now,” Zack says, making one of those sweeping headline pantomimes with his hands in front of his face. “‘Lawton Ayers lies to Home TV. Marriage is a sham.’”

“I’m not gonna marry her, for fuck’s sake. We’re just business partners. And hey, every tabloid wants a good breakup story. We’ll make ours spectacular.”

Zack laughs. “I can’t wait to see this all come apart. She’s gonna break you. Take you for everything you’ve got. Then stomp on your face with a three-inch heel and—”

“So dramatic,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I’ve got a contract all ready for her. Gonna pick her up tonight. In fact,” I say, getting up from my desk, “I’m taking off early so I can go home and shower. Gotta make a good impression.”