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He looks at me, his eyes pleading. "Please, Marissa. I know it's a lot to ask, but I need your help. I need someone I can trust, someone who understands what I'm going through."
I heave a sigh, torn between my desire to help him and the knowledge that this may go south. Especially seeing as I can't seem to stop feeling this way for him.
"I just ... I don't know if I can do this. It's asking too much of me."
He reaches out, gently taking my hand in his. "I promise that if you help me out this once, I won't let any harm come to you even if the truth gets out, which I highly doubt it would."
“What about your family? Would you lie to them too? I'm Cindy’s best friend. I'm not sure how she will take this.”
At the mention of his family, Bryce's countenance changes, and I see his jaws clenching in disdain.
“I couldn't care less about what my family thinks of me. You, of all people, should know that. And as for Cindy, I’ll handle it.”
Whenever Cindy asks if I've got feelings for Bryce, I don't sense any form of animosity from her. It's usually just her showing her concern for me. But that doesn't mean I'm not on edge about all of this. The sheer idea of fake marrying a man I've longed for all my life and keeping my feelings separate is preposterous.
I searched his eyes, looking for any hint of deception. But all I found was earnestness. Against my better judgment, I felt my resolve softening.
I remember back in the day the way his eyes would light up when he talked about his dreams, his passion burning like a fire. I wanted to help him, as I always had, despite everything he'd done.
My heart won out over my head.
Chapter 14
Bryce
"I’ll do it."
The weight lifts from my shoulders as Marissa gives me a hesitant nod, though her furrowed brow betrays her doubts.
I know it's not an ideal request, but I had to try. I couldn't just stand there and watch those reporters come after me with some made-up stories.
Sheila and I met at a mutual friend’s party. We talked for a bit, but I wasn't particularly interested in her. Then, later that night, she got drunk and started making a scene. I didn’t want to deal with it, so I called her a cab.
A week later, my agent convinced me to attend a charity event to help improve my image. Sheila was there. She clung to methe entire night, acting like we were together. The next day, I was in the tabloids as having a new girlfriend. Sheila even gave interviews about our "relationship" and hinted at some juicy details.
The internet went wild with the information, even though it was all false. I've had enough of the nonsense that Sheila has been feeding them. I could have easily debunked the gossip, but I know that she would have still fabricated something and roped me into it.
This marriage thing would be the best way to stop the madness.
"Thank you, Marissa. You have no idea how much this means to me."
She nods, her expression serious. "But we need to lay down some ground rules. No feelings allowed, no unnecessary touching ..."
She hesitates as she says it, and I raise an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing her. "What exactly do you mean by unnecessary touching?"
She flushes slightly, shooting me a glare. But instead of taking it as a warning, I find it really cute.
"You know what I mean. No flirting, no physical contact unless absolutely necessary."
I chuckle, purposely pushing her buttons. "So, what kind of touching is necessary, then? I mean, a pat on the back is fine, right? Or maybe a high-five?"
Marissa rolls her eyes, her cheeks flushing pink as she swats my arm playfully. "Don’t act like you don't know what I'm referring to. No funny business."
"Why don't you show me what you mean? I mean, at the moment, I'm as lost as a needle in a haystack."
She rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of amusement in her voice. "Very funny, Bryce. But I'm serious. We need to keep this strictly professional."
I nod, trying to suppress the smile that threatens to spread across my face. "Of course. Strictly professional. Got it."