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“And my reputation as a brilliant businessman doesn’t help?”

“It helps to maintain our position, but not to enhance it.”

“Wait, Fitz. When I started this whole public persona shindig, you assured me it would lead to an increase in my net worth.”

“And it did.” He adjusted his glasses. “It did, and now I’m telling you that it’s plateaued.”

“And why is it plateauing? That would be my next question.”

“Well, sir…” he cleared his throat and adjusted his bow tie. “It would seem that you have a certain reputation.”

“What reputation would that be? For being rich?”

“Being rich is fine. Being rich is cool these days. Keeping up with the Kardashians and all of that jazz.” His lips formed an inverted U. “It’s not your reputation for being rich that’s the problem. It’s the fact that you’re known for being a ruthless master manipulator, and, um… what the press likes to dub as ‘billionaire playboy.’”

“Billionaire Playboy, huh?”

Jenna looked up from her computer for the briefest of moments.

“It’s a deserved reputation, sir.”

“I never said that it wasn’t, Jenna.” I turned back to Fritz. “Please, continue.”

He swallowed hard and looked rather uncomfortable.

“Well, sir… and I’m just reporting the results of our research, you understand, I’m not judging or even presenting my own personal opinion…”

“Just spit it out, Fritz. Stop trying to protect my feelings because I don’t have any.”

He closed his mouth, swallowed one more time, and continued.

“Quite frankly, we need to try and humanize you, sir. Your public persona is perceived as being icy, manipulative, and ruthless. Not to mention your blatant disregard for the conventions of marriage and relationships.”

“I don’t know why you were so afraid to tell me that, Fritz.”

“Sir?” he said anxiously.

“Since when have I ever gotten angry with you for telling me the truth? In fact, I demand that you tell me the truth. It’s one of the reasons you’re in the position you’re in.”

I let a rare smile blossom over my face.

“Everything you said was true, Fritz. I am cold-blooded and calculating. I don’t believe in traditional marriage or relationships in general. All of this is what has made me into the success that I am today, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

“You don’t have to pretend otherwise, sir.” Fritz sighed. “Well, okay, you are going to have to pretend otherwise on some of it. But you can continue to be a calculating and ruthless businessman so long as youshowsome sign of humanity.”

“And you think that my having a girlfriend is going to be a sign of humanity to the masses?”

He nodded.

“Yes, exactly. A fake public relationship is perfect for you. You won’t even have to pretend too much. Just show up with her on your arm, dine in fancy restaurants, take her on a shopping spree or two, and the press will do the rest of the work for us. Just theperceptionthat you are in a relationship is going to work wonders.”

“And when I take her out, what am I supposed to do if the paparazzi come up with a flashbulb and a microphone in myface?”

“Just let her do the talking. You stay you, the Iceman, Mr. Stoic. All the masses will think that you’re just cold on the outside, and that there must be a gooey center of humanity, some soft spot, on the inside.”

“So, I take her out once in a while, and let her do all the talking. I think I can get behind this plan. It sounds like a minimal disruption to my life.”

Jenna looked up from her computer, her eyes shining. I knew it had to be good.