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Tallie let out a small sigh and looked at her watch. “Well, we should be at her place soon.” She leaned back against the leather, distractedly raking her fingers through her short hair.
Within a few minutes, we were in the parking garage. I hurried out of the limo to hold the door for Mia. My dad had taught me to always hold the door open for a woman.
The elevator doors opened, revealing Mia in a purple blouse with white linen trousers and dark brown loafers. Seeing her in Diamonds colors made me smile. “Gorgeous,” I told her.
Her long blond hair flared around her as she did a spin for me. I couldn’t help but grin as I took her in.
“Just like that,” Tallie said, poking her head out the door. “That’s how you look at her at the event.”
I turned to her. “What?”
“That look was on the sheet—you got it perfect.”
“Right.” I cleared my throat. “Uh, thanks.” I needed to get my head in the game and stepped aside so Mia could get in. As soon as we were in the car together, I wanted to ask her about the trip—about all she’d done while we were apart, but Mia got right to business.
“So Tallie prepped you?” Mia asked when Zeke had started driving away.
Before I could answer, Tallie said, “Everything except his lines for you. Ford, let’s try the first one on the list.” Tallie passed Mia a paper while I looked down at my own.
“I’m so lucky to have you.” Say it while squeezing her hand and looking into her eyes.
I looked up at Tallie desperately. Was I really supposed to do this? It felt so... intimate.
But she leveled her gaze at me like this was all business. Which embarrassed me, because my heart kept forgetting that was all this was meant to be.
“Okay.” I took a breath, scooting closer to Mia. I held out my hand, and she put hers in mine. I looked into her soft blue eyes and said, “I’m so lucky to have you.” But my eyes darted away. It felt too intimate, too vulnerable to say to her out loud. Especially with Tallie watching.
Tallie tsked at me. “That was not very convincing, Ford. You look like you were trying to swallow a lemon. Like a whole wedge.”
A hurt look flickered over Mia’s features, but she quickly schooled it. I realized she was far better trained at her poker face than I was. And I didn’t want to let her down. So I nodded, knowing I needed to do better. For her, but also for me.
This night could make or break my contract with the Diamonds.
I reached for Mia’s hand again, loving how soft her skin felt against mine. I had callouses from weightlifting and so many reps with a football, but her hands were silky smooth. And warm too. I looked up from her hand, meeting her gaze.
This time, I held it, let myself really see her. The starburst of all shades of blue in her eyes. The fullness of her pink lips. The dainty way her nose lifted at the tip. I thought of all she was doing for me, how easy it was to spend time with her instead of dating daddy’s little girl who only wanted me for my status, howmuch it would mean to be able to stay in town. And I said, “Mia, I’m so thankful I have you.”
The words came out earnest, heartfelt, because I meant them, not because I was putting on some kind of act.
She looked down shyly, then smiled back up at me. “Thank you, Ford. I think we both got lucky.”
I wondered if she’d practiced her lines. Her words were so much more convincing than my first try.
I almost forgot I was holding her hand until her fingertips slipped from mine. “How was that?” she asked Tallie.
“Good,” her employee replied. “Next.”
My jaw clenched as I looked down at the paper.
Kiss her softly when it seems like no one’s paying attention.
“Oh no,” I said. “Is this really necessary?”
Mia shifted in her seat. “Surely holding hands is enough. We can say Ford doesn’t like PDA.”
Tallie’s eyebrows drew together, silently scolding us both. “Look, couples in relationshipskissfrom time to time. You had to know that was part of the arrangement. And besides, you’re bothacting. Actors kiss all the time with it meaning nothing at all. And you both have far more on the line than a paycheck.”
Mia nodded slowly. “You’re right...”