Page 96 of Dream On

“My flight is at noon. The airport isn’t far.” I’m pretty sure I still have an hour or two to kill, and I was looking forward to popping by the local café for a coffee and scones.

“Well, you’re not going to the airport, Nicks. You’re coming with me.” He avoids my eyes, talking like his words aren’t entirely nonsensical. “To my place.”

I blink at him as he slides his hands into his pockets. “Excuse me? English is my native language, thank you.”

Sighing, Lex finally looks over at me and pops his shoulders. A shrug. A measly shrug. “We have a story to tell now, thanks to you.”

“What? No. There is no story. There is no going to your place.” My heart kicks up speed. “What are you even talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that we’re dating and madly in love.”

“We are not either of those things.”

“According to the entire world, we are.”

“Oh my God. No. We’re notactuallydoing this. That was just…”

A mistake. A horrible, messy, counterintuitive mistake. And I set it all in motion. All I had to do was smile for the cameras and hold Lex’s hand, but I failed. I just had to prove to Lex and his mother that I’m worthy, talented,and capable, and now I’m stuck picking up the pieces of this catastrophic explosion.

Because I’m not. I’m not any of those things.

I’m a dumbass.

I peer down at the shiny wood flooring, attempting to bulldoze through the ebbing catatonia.

“Listen,” Lex states, steepling his hands at his chin. “We’ll break up. People break up all the time. But we have to wait it out.”

“For how long?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead,” he says. “A couple of months. Maybe three.”

My eyebrows launch skyward. “You want me to live with you for three months? I have a job, Lex. An apartment.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

“What does that mean?”

“I talked to Hamlin this morning. Your job will be waiting for you when you get back.”

“And my portion of the rent?”

“It’s covered, Stevie.”

“No.” I stab both hands through my hair, whipping my head back and forth. “No, I can’t. I can’t do this. I won’t let you pay my bills like I’m some kind of charity case.”

“It’s not charity. It’s business.”

“But what about when I get back? I can’t afford to be out of work for months. I’ll be destitute—”

“You won’t.” Lex moves in closer, waiting for my wide eyes to lock on his. “You won’t be destitute. I’m going to pay you. Ten thousand dollars a week until this is over. You’re looking at a six-figure paycheck, which I assume will more than cover your rent and bills.”

My heart stops.

My breath catches in a web of shock.

I feel my legs shaking, my right knee panging like his words melted the metal inside to liquid goop. He can’t be serious. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m dead serious. Like I said, this is a business arrangement. You’ll have your own room, so we won’t be sleeping together.” His eyes flare, throat clearing. “In any capacity.”