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“You’re telling me you actually chloroformed yourself willingly? I thought you were joking when you told me that last week.” She arches an eyebrow.

“You were doing so well. And you looked so serious; I didn’t want to ruin your flow.”

She laughs, slapping my chest playfully. “You’re a real asshole, you know that, right? Like an idiot as well. What if I had killed you?”

“An angel of death, huh?” I tap my finger against mylip a couple of times. “Sounds hot. Let’s add it to the roleplay bucket list.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Ooh yes, Miss Librarian, use those big words for me.” I wink, faux fanning myself like a high-society lady in the height of summer.

Crimson flushes over her neck as she shakes her head, fighting a smile that's pulling at her lips.

“Go get ready, Killer. I’ll start working on that list. Smash it, okay?”

She heads over to the podium as the other talk finishes up. As the audience gets to their feet, I take the opportunity to get a front-row seat.

???

Olivia shines like nothing I’ve ever seen during the talk. She’s being interviewed by the editor of a well-known fitness magazine, and the questions largely revolve around social media and the use of influencers to promote products.

She is prepared for each question, reflecting on her experience of promoting and reviewing products honestly and authentically. Unfortunately, Millie Gilbert makes an appearance during the question section of the talk, but even then, she is graceful and fair with her answers.

When she asks what Olivia has to say about integrity in her branding and being honest with subscribers, the host holds up her hand, and I kid you not, says, “I think we’ve heard enough from you. Shall we try someone else?”Priceless.

Millie splutters into the microphone. Not only has she been shot down by Olivia, but she’s effectively been dismissed by one of the legends of fitness journalism.

The crowd chuckles and Olivia gives me an awkward face. I just wink and love seeing her blush up there, knowing I’m the one affecting her.

“Are you single, Olivia?” someone yells out from thecrowd as laughter breaks out from the audience. I jump to my feet, turn, and find the guy in question. His face falls instantly as I point my fingers to my eyes and then point them straight at him. He flinches like he took a bullet, sitting down immediately.

Motherfucker.

“I guess the gentleman in the front row has answered that question.” The host laughs.

Olivia hides her face for a moment, smiling, “Don’t mind him, that’s just my bodyguard.”

The crowd rumbles with more laughter.

“You’ll pay for that, Killer,”I mouth to her. She winks and turns back to the host.

After the talk, she is swarmed. For a moment, I think I might actually have to play bodyguard. But she handles the crowd like a pro, even if she is inching herself closer to me as she does so.

She takes a few selfies with some gym bunnies who claim they’ve never had such toned legs before doing her workouts. She says it’s a realLegally Blondemoment, which I pretend not to understand, butbend and fucking snapall you like, my love.

I hold the cards and merch she’s received as part of her introductions with brands. She has meetings booked in for later in the expo, and some online meetings next week, too. She’s even been offered to fly out to Aspen to do a winter clothing line shoot. She almost squeals when we leave the booth.

“You’ve got to control your face a bit more,” she says, taking a swig of water.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve got this look on your face that says you’re going to pummel anyone that gets too close to me.”

“Excellent. That was just the look I was going for.” I wink.

“If you’re bored, I can give you my room key. I’ll be donein an hour.”

“I’m not leaving you. Besides, this is fun, seeing you in action.”