Page 22 of The Fake Husband Deal

Instead, I’d played it safe and let him go.

He was too young anyway.

What would I have done if I’d met him just a day later? I didn’t want to think about that. It was a ridiculous thought, but marrying a stranger like him right now seemed like a good-enough option.

Marry for love, son, not because there’s a timeline attached. I know I’m not making this easy on you, but I know you. Stop playing it safe. Life is an adventure, but it’s not half as fun if you don’t have someone beside you to share it.

My father, ever the romantic, had made legally binding stipulations that made it virtually impossible to fulfill his wishes.

I pushed those thoughts aside as we reached the conference hotel. It was time to put on my professional mask and make connections.

The last time I’d attended the Atlanta Business Symposium, Pierce had come along and worked his charm on everyone. This time, I was on my own.

I’d checked in before arriving at the hotel, so grabbing the room key was a painless process.

“Can my bags be taken up to my room, please?” I asked.

“Of course, Mr. Van Stern.”

The conference didn’t start until tomorrow morning, so I planned to grab a drink and then figure out where to have dinner before spending the evening working in my room.

The glamorous life of a CEO, I thought.

The bar was busy. Hoping I wouldn’t be recognized and pulled into a business conversation, I took the only seat at the bar that wasn’t next to someone in a suit.

The bartender put a coaster in front of me. “What can I get you, sir?”

“Scotch, please. Neat. Thank you.”

While he poured the drink, I looked at the mirror behind him to take in the room.

“We must stop meeting like this, Mr. Van Stern.”

I turned toward the voice and met those blue eyes I’d regretted not looking into long enough the first time. The soft lips. The neatly trimmed distinct jawline.

He was even more beautiful than I remembered.

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Mr.…”

“Spencer, Noah Spencer.”

He held out his hand, and I took it. His fingers wrapped slowly but intently around my hand. A sign of familiarity no one but us would ever see.

“Spencer, as in…”

“The PR and marketing agency you’re working with.”

I let out a breath. How fucked up was my life right now?

There was apprehension in the way he stared at me. He looked around before he lowered his voice.

“Disclaimer. I didn’t know who you were when we…”

I nodded, praying he wouldn’t finish the sentence. As it was, my dick was paying far too much attention to the way he dressed casually but still looked professional and how he smelled. Sandalwood and citrus.

“How did you find out?” I asked.

“Honestly? I should have recognized you then. After all, your company has been on my dream list since we started. But it wasn’t until I researched the museum that I found out. That’s why…I sent my brother to meet you. I didn’t want what happened between us to cloud your judgment about working with us.”