Not Daddy Material (Billionaire's Contract Duet 2)

“You mean, we don’t tell an

yone I just did that?”

He nodded while leaning down to nibble on my ear. “And definitely don’t tell them I did that.”

I laughed. “Ok. Deal. We keep the fake dating going.”

“Awesome. This project just got a whole lot better.” Beau growled into my neck. “Now, let’s get out of here before my friend finds out we almost burned down the planetarium.”

8

“Tell me what you think about this.” Beau cleared his throat and read from the screen on his open laptop.

“Valentine’s Night: Re-creation of Victoria and Seth’s candlelit barn date in Barcelona

Show Myth to debunk: Lavish romantic settings will forge romantic feelings

Love Match wants you to believe that by giving girls roses, filling them with champagne, and lighting everything within two feet with a candle, she’s going to fall for you. Guys, it’s just not true. Take Saturday night. There were more roses than I could count, a starry sky, a little bubbly, and no sparks—nothing. Sure, it was a nice night to spend with a friend from class, but probably not how I would normally choose to spend my Saturday night. Don’t let reality shows fool you. You can’t make feelings out of candlelight. I posted pictures so everyone can see just how closely the setting looked like one of the Love Match dates. Until next week’s dating report.—B.A.”

“Ouch. No sparks?” I wrinkled my nose. “It’s great. Can’t wait to read the comments you’ll receive.”

“Your turn. What are you going to post?”

“Are you sure you’re ready to read it? Can you handle it?” I taunted him.

“Hit me. I can take it.”

“Every time I watch Love Match, I become more and more disillusioned with love. The show exhibits no limits in perpetuating the stereotype that all a guy needs to do to win a girl’s heart is buy into the commercialism that is copycat romance. Saturday night, my Comm partner followed the show’s lead to a T, sparing no detail. Girls, you should have seen it. There were candles everywhere, champagne, and even rose petals. Most of you reading this blog probably think that we had the perfect date. Champagne and roses don’t create love. Real human connections and understanding do. As much as Love Match wants you to believe that people can be forced into falling in love, I want you to know it isn’t reality.—L.J.”

“No one can accuse you of holding back, movie star.”

“Is it too harsh? Do you think people will read right through it?” I worried every girl on campus was going to scan it and know deep down all I wanted was a million nights with Beau, champagne, and a bed of rose petals.

“No. I think it’s fine. We need to get this posted. The next episode comes on in fifteen minutes.” He looked around my room. “Too bad you don’t have a TV in here.”

“The three of us share the one in the living room. It’s called roughing it. But we should be alone. Candace is over at Pearce’s tonight and I’m pretty sure Nina is somewhere with Derek.”

Beau stopped typing. “You know, that Derek guy is a jerk.”

It had only been two days since the opening of Spoiled Hearts. Other than seeing him on the side of the stage yesterday during our two shows, I hadn’t had any contact with the moody director. The incident with my ass and his strange behavior in the dressing room had to be from preshow stress.

“He’s really not that bad. I think you met him at a high stress time. He’s a great writer and director.”

“I don’t know about that side of him, but you should be careful around him.”

“Careful? Nina has totally been crushing on him for years. He is harmless.” A nagging thought in the back of my head suggested otherwise.

“I don’t know why a fun girl like Nina would be after him.”

“Because she’s a hopeless romantic. She can’t help herself. Come on; get that thing posted so we can watch Love Match.”

This was the first time Beau and I had seen each other since our Saturday night pact, which we sealed with a kiss. The theater was closed Monday nights, so I had the night off. It was perfect timing for us to watch Love Match together. When we texted back and forth about getting together, everything seemed the same—as if the kissing never happened. But when I heard the roar of his motorcycle rumble in the driveway, I realized seeing him again was going to be anything but normal.

“Posted.” He smiled.

“Ok, I’ll start the popcorn; you start the show. Want a beer?”

“Yeah, I’ll take one.”