Page 43 of The Exception

I frowned. “I can be romantic.”

“I sure hope so,” she said. “Because if people are going to buy this story, we’re going to have to really lean into it. Be a little…extra.”

I frowned at the idea of making a fool of myself. At faking intimacy. But this was important. I’d find a way to make it work. I had to.

“What will you tell your family?” she asked. “You mentioned that my blog might be an issue.”

“I’ll figure out how to spin it.”

It wasn’t like my family would be upset that I was in a relationship with the author ofGilded Lily. But I wished I hadn’t made such a big deal of finding out who the blogger was. It would affect the timeline of our story. It could affect my family’s acceptance of the lies we were about to tell them.

It would be suspicious if we had been dating and I didn’t know Lily was behindGilded Lily. So, a whirlwind romance really was our only option.

“What about your family? Are they going to be a problem?”

An expression passed over her face, but it quickly cleared. “I hope this won’t be a deal-breaker, but I’m not on speaking terms with my family.”

Oh.I hadn’t expected her to say that. I didn’t know the circumstances, but if Lily didn’t want to speak with her family, it must be serious. I wondered what had happened to fracture their relationship to the point that it was beyond repair, but I got the feeling she didn’t want to talk about it.

So I asked the only question that truly mattered. “Are you okay?”

She lifted a shoulder but wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Honestly, it was a long time coming, but it still hurts.”

“You’re not the first person who has cut ties with your family. I’m sorry that your relationship is strained, but it doesn’t change anything—at least not for me. In fact, it makes things easier because it’s fewer people we have to convince.” And fewer people who would be disappointed when this was over.

“I hadn’t thought of it like that. Honestly, I’m more concerned about how to sell this to Jo. She’s always been able to see right through me.” She considered it a moment then said, “Actually, no. You know what? That’s one of my conditions. I want to be able to tell Jo the truth.”

“No,” I blurted. “Absolutely not.”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “Tell me something, Graham. Does Pierce know?”

“Yes, but?—”

She shook her head. “He’s your best friend. Therefore, my best friend should get to know too. She would never tell anyone, and if anything, she’d be an asset to us.”

“Pierce is my attorney.”

“And Jo is my…” She seemed to debate the best word, finally settling on, “Adviser.”

I held her gaze; she didn’t blink.Fuck me.She wasn’t going to back down, was she? But perhaps she was right—having her best friend on our side could help us sell our story.

“She’d have to sign an NDA,” I said, even though I didn’t like it. More people meant more chances for someone to slip and reveal the truth.

“No problem.”

“And I want you to have a bodyguard,” I said, not wanting to dwell on her friend. I hadn’t agreed to anything—not yet. Lily scrunched up her face, so I added, “All my brothers’ wives have one. Sloan has one.”

“Do you have a bodyguard now? And don’t think we’re done talking about Jo.” She wagged her finger at me. “You didn’t agree to my condition.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets. “I don’t need one. I have a fifth-degree black belt.” And I was a hacker, but I didn’t tell her that. I could inflict a lot more destruction from behind my keyboard than she’d ever know.

“The bodyguard is nonnegotiable,” I continued. “If you’re vulnerable, I’m vulnerable. There are many people who would seek to harm you to get to me or my money.”

She blew out a breath and sank back against the sofa. “Jeez. Are you trying to talk me out of this?”

“No.” I picked up the cards and placed them back in the box. “I’m just trying to make sure you understand what it would mean to be married to me.” After what had happened with Sloan, I wasn’t taking any chances.

“Okay,” Lily finally said.