Page 357 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5

She shrugged. “Like I just said, I’ll do my best. But I’m not the one in charge right now. My uncle is.”

“Mr. Pruitt said he didn’t know what I was talking about when I brought up Scarlett.”

“And who do you believe more? Him or me?”

“Neither.” I’d never trust a thing either of them said.

She smiled. “So you don’t really have much of a choice to go along with this, Matthew. Speaking of which, I’m going to need something from you in return for keeping Scarlett safe.”

Of course she was going to ask for something in return. And I knew exactly what it was. She’d certainly mentioned my career enough times whenever I’d seen her.

The waiter dropped off our glasses of champagne and Poppy dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

“Perfect timing,” she said and lifted up her champagne flute.

“Poppy…”

“Just hear me out. If we start dating, I think Uncle Richard will be more likely to step down.”

Dating?!

“Honestly, it’s suffocating with him breathing down my neck. I’m ready to take over. And if he thinks we’re going steady, he’ll feel more comfortable, I know it. Like I said before, he respectsyou. And your business is in my weak spot. We’d be the perfect couple in his eyes.”

I laughed. “I’m not going to date you, Poppy.”

She put down her champagne flute. “But, Matthew…” She reached out and tried to put her hand on top of mine on the table, but I quickly pulled away. “You don’t have much of a choice,” she said. “Unless you don’t care about little Scarlett after all?”

I felt like I was holding my breath. Like I’d been holding it for years. And I had no idea if my lungs knew how to work anymore. Not in this shitty world where Brooklyn didn’t exist and Poppy held all the cards.

“What do you say?” she said with a smile and lifted her champagne flute again.

My phone buzzed. I looked down at a text from Kennedy: “Actually, if you do happen to want even more food, I have a craving for ice cream. I would be 100% okay if you wanted to bring some. Something chocolatey please and thank you.”

It would have made me laugh if it didn’t feel like I was being suffocated.

“Matthew?” Poppy said. “Do we have a deal?”

There was nothing I could say. Maybe being close to her would give me the dirt I needed on Mr. Pruitt. My mind swirled with maybes. But none of them mattered. They didn’t change what I had to do. I didn’t have a choice. Because I’d do anything to keepJames and Penny’s daughter safe. “You swear you’ll stay away from Scarlett? That no one will touch a hair on her head?”

“I promise. She’ll be perfectly safe.”

I lifted my glass. “Is there an end date to this charade?”

“Why? Are you seeing someone?”

I thought about Kennedy. The way it felt to wake up with her head on my chest and my arms wrapped around her. I wanted that again. It was wrong. I knew that. And yet…I wanted it again tonight. For the first time in 16 years, I felt like I was actually ready for another chance. I stared at Poppy. “No, I’m not seeing anyone.” What the hell else could I say?

“Good. That would complicate things. It’s all about the image, but obviously I’m hoping this becomes much more than a charade. Wouldn’t that be nice?” She clinked her glass against mine.

I felt like I was going to throw up. I downed my champagne.That did not help.

“Speaking of which, the photographers will be here shortly so we can get our picture taken for all the tabloids. By this time tomorrow the whole city will know we’re together. Let’s make sure our meal is placed so it looks like we’re having a romantic dinner. We have to set the scene. Where is that dreadful waiter?” She snapped her fingers. “And next time please wear something more presentable.”

Matchmaker - Chapter 31

Wednesday

I’d finished the bottle of champagne before the photographers had even shown up. I could tell Poppy was mad at me. But I really didn’t fucking care. I’d had a few scotches after she was done pretending to stare affectionately at me for the cameras. Anyone would have after that ordeal, especially after the awkward few seconds when Poppy had put her lips to mine while the cameras flashed. I was pretty sure I’d vomited a little in my mouth. This was a date from hell. And all that seemed to make it better was scotch. Lots and lots of scotch.