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They exchange a look, but the bride-to-be answers. “Because sometimes an opportunity comes along that you’d regret turning down for the rest of yourlife.”
Instead of tenderness in their shared gaze, there’stension.
Interesting. But at least it’ssomething.
I spent last night getting lost online in the digital footprint of Aiden and Camila. Hers was mostly on the charitable side. His was more checkered. There were some questions about the legitimacy of his business dealings on behalf of his father’s company. Maybe that’s why he’s so tense— he’s concerned the magazine will raise his businessdealings.
“Aiden,” I say carefully, “I’ve told the interviewer specifically to focus on you two as a couple. But if they raise any questions aboutbusiness—”
“I’ll tell them there’s nothing todiscuss.”
“If there is anything to discuss,” I go on pointedly, “it’ll be easier if Iknow.”
“There’s nothing to know.” The finality rings through theroom.
I started to text Ben last night to see if he knew anything about Aiden personally, but second-guessed it because of the dynamics between us leaving the Met. I could still feel his presence down to mytoes.
So much so that when Lily came in, she stared me down with delight. “You’re doing it. You’re fake dating, I cantell.”
I’d groaned and sworn her to secrecy, saying, “I’ll have a check for your tuitionsoon.”
At which point she hugged me and vowed I was the best sisterever.
We circle back to the questions, and Aiden and Camila’s interactions improve, but it doesn’t feel light or warm or romantic. Unless the writer is a miracle worker, this might come off closer to a prisoner interview than a weddingone.
But this is what Richard will use to judge my ability to market the resorts. If it doesn’t get better fast, I’m screwed. I try to stay focused on the conversation, prodding them toward something that feels like connection, but I know I need a backupplan.
“If we’re done, I have another commitment,” Aiden says fifteen minuteslater.
“Of course. The interview is set for Thursday morning.” I try one more time before he leaves. “My firm has handled numerous campaigns with discretion. I assure you, anything you tell me that would help us do our jobs would be kept inconfidence.”
He leans in, the lines of his suit and face appearing even sharper up close. “I don’t care about your firm’s track record. I don’t know you. I’m not telling my life story toPeopleor toyou.”
He heads for the door and I swallow asigh.
Once it’s the two of us, Camila says, “I’m sorry about Aiden. He’s an acquired taste. But Richard is hell-bent on the right publicity for this. He wants us to be the face of the new resorts. Unofficially, of course. Honestly, I’m ready to get out of the spotlight during the bacheloretteweekend.”
I frown. “Where is it beingheld?”
“The Vineyard. The company has a property we’ve booked for the entire weekend, no other guests allowed. It’s a place torelax.”
The wheels of my mind turn as I search for a way to make something from their relationship that the public would view as romantic. “Would you be open to doing something there aimed at bolstering your profile? Small and time bound. Say, the first afternoon youarrive.”
Camila toys with the handle of her Prada bag, reluctant. “If it would help, I suppose so,” she decides at last. “I’ll have Aiden’s assistant book you aroom.”
“It’s no trouble. I’ll follow upmyself.”
Once she leaves, I call Aiden’s assistant who confirms that yes, in ten days, there’s a weekend trip to the Vineyard which includes a farm tour one afternoon, and a reception before the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Attire for the reception iscocktail.
That makes me feel calmer in one way, as though I’ve averted the crisis for now, but it raises anotherissue.
I make a call to Rena. “Are you free for lunch? I have an important thing I need your helpwith.”
“Rogueclient?”
“Kind of.” I fill her in on the Vineyard situation. “I have outfits I could wear, but I think I need something more like armor. Expensive armor. Could I borrow somethingdesigner?”
“No. For Aiden Vane’s pre-wedding event at the Vineyard, we’re goingshopping.”
