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“Good. Just remember, whatever you’re comfortable with, I’ll make sure it works.”

A smile teased the corner of her lips. “For the story.”

He could only nod his head. With her so close, the scent of her winding around him, he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. He needed a plan to cope with the way she stirred him up. But right now he had a job to do and a schedule to keep.

He smiled into her deep brown eyes and gave her hand the softest of squeezes. “Let’s get this wedding planned.”

Chapter Nine

HoldingRhett’s hand was a big step. Amazingly, it brought Trina great comfort. She never would’ve expected the patience and compassion he’d shown her. And if she occasionally imagined a flare of heat in his gaze, no one could blame her for a fleeting fantasy.

Because it was all fantasy.

She was about to walk in and plan a real wedding for a pretend romance. And she was remarkably okay with it. Anything to escape the relentless push toward Luca. She tugged her thoughts away from that dangerous precipice.

An eager bride shouldn’t meet the best consultant in the business with a shadow of grief lurking in her eyes.

“We’re doing great, right?” she queried as they strolled down the hallway. Her goal was finding the sweet spot between clingy and aloof.

“We’re the picture of happiness.”

His assurance meant more than he would probably ever realize. If he’d needed to smooth anything over, he had done it so flawlessly she hadn’t noticed.

“You’re the best ally,” she murmured. “I appreciateit.”

“After this meeting, word will spread pretty quickly about our wedding,” Rhett warned. He’d paused just outside Ilsa’s office.

Startled, she shot him a questioning look.

“Oh no,” he understood her concern immediately. “Ilsa isn’t a gossip. I prepped an all-staff email to send as soon as the details are decided. I just want you to be ready.”

“I will be.” She would not let his extraordinary effort be in vain. Nervous as she was, she was committed to this path as the best way out of an unbearable union.

Near the door, Trina heard a woman speaking. “I need you to take a breath and sit down.”

Trina glanced again at Rhett, caught him smiling.

“That’s it,” the woman continued. “I’m counting on you to be a good girl.”

Rhett leaned close and Trina felt a little shiver. Not fear, anticipation. She was becoming way too infatuated with her fake groom.

“Are you afraid of dogs?” he whispered.

She shook her head. Someday she hoped to have a dog of her own. “The wedding planner has a dog?”

“The best dog,” he said with such an endearing smile, her heart fluttered.

Excited about meeting Ilsa’s dog, Trina edged closer to the doorway. Rhett rapped his knuckles on the open door and a pitiful whiny wail was the response.

Trina couldn’t see the dog yet, just the wedding planner’s eye roll. “Yes, Annie. Your buddy is here,” Ilsa said. “Please, come in.”

Rhett released Trina, going straight for the dog who was wiggling like mad behind the desk. He dropped to a knee and an immediate mutual love fest commenced as the two friends greeted each other.

The woman stood, reaching across the desk to shake Trina’s hand. “Welcome. Trina, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Ilsa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The wedding planner was about the same height as Trina and just as curvy. With blue eyes and straight brown hair swept back into a sleek tail, she put Trina in mind of the typical American girl next door—just a bit more mature.