Chapter 6 The Deal

Lucia's POV

I contort my face in mock confusion, feigning ignorance. "Wait, what? What the hell do you mean? What are you guys talking about?"

"You haven't seen the news?" Laura asks, smiling. Meanwhile, Noah doesn't say a word he just leans against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, giving my living room a slow once-over like that's what deserves his attention.

"What news?"

Noah's head snaps toward me like I just asked the most ridiculous, obvious question ever.

"I'm pretty sure you know the entire world thinks we're dating," he says, strolling into the room like he owns the place.

He drops onto the couch, legs crossed, his expression practically ordering me and Laura to shut the door and sit down.

This man has got some nerve. Does he think he owns the place? That he can just walk in and start giving orders?

I shut my eyes, resisting the urge to march over and slap that smug look off his face.

With a long sigh, I shut the door and sink into the couch across from him.

"So what if the entire world thinks we're dating?" I hiss with a shrug. "The whole thing was taken out of context. We can just clear up the misunderstanding."

I try to sound like I don't care. Like what his PR agent just said doesn't matter to me.

(Not like it does. Not at all.)

"Hm." He smirks, the kind of smirk that says he already knows I'm bluffing and it unsettles me.

"I like her," Laura says, smiling like I'm the perfect piece to whatever puzzle she's putting together. "Lucia, dear," she says sweetly. "We're not going to clear any misunderstanding. Here's what we are going to do."

She glances at Noah, who's sitting there completely unfazed, then looks back at me.

"The thing is... many people, if not half the world, think Noah is gay and secretly dating a man. And it's made things pretty ugly for him."

I pinch my brows in confusion and surprise. How the heck is a man like this gay?

I glance over at him. He's staring right at me.

Fuck.

I hate those eyes. The way they bore into me like he already knows what I'm thinking. I absolutely do not like that.

"There are a number of endorsement deals Noah could secure in a flash if the world believes he's dating a woman," Laura says smoothly. "And... his image needs some spicing up. Especially now that he's with a new team, in a new place. We need publicity."

"Alright, I get all that," I mutter. "But why the heck would anyone think he's gay?"

"Because I've never had a girlfriend," he growls.

My jaw drops.

"That's right, Lucia," Laura chimes in, grinning. "Noah has never had a girlfriend. Never been publicly seen with a woman."

"What the fuck! Does that mean he's a virgin?"

The words shoot out of my mouth before I can stop them. I didn't mean to say that. I'm just... shocked.

There's no way he's not gay. I mean, okay, I'm not judging, but... what the hell?

Laura chuckles. Noah growls again, clearly offended.

"Are you indirectly trying to find out about my sex life?" he asks, eyes narrowing.

"Not like I care," I roll my eyes. "I'm just curious."

Then it hits me.

"Wait... so that's why you're so angry and grumpy all the time? Walking around like you've got a stick up your ass, blasting loud music to piss me off?" I scoff. "Well, I'd probably look like that too if the whole world thought I was gay."

He grunts in response. I like that I'm getting on his nerves.

"You two are going to make a great couple," Laura laughs. "I love the chemistry between you."

"What do you mean? What chemistry?" I ask, playing dumb, like I don't know she's suggesting we fake date.

"To spice up Noah's image and shift the negativity, you both need to run with the story. The world needs to keep believing you're dating, for a while."

My heart does a stupid little jump.

"You're saying we should fake date?"

Laura nods. "Yes, dear. Just for a few months, until we get everything in place."

"Hmm." I lean back, settling into the couch. "What's in it for me?"

"What?" Noah asks, surprised. He looks at me like he knew I'd say yes, but not this fast. Not this easily.

"Why not?" I shrug. "As long as I'm getting something huge out of it. I need publicity too."

"I'm not going to let you paint me naked," he snaps.

"Who says I'm even interested in doing that?" I roll my eyes.

He's so annoying.

(Not that I wouldn't want to. I mean... a lot of people are asking for it.)

He shakes his head, clearly not buying my act.

Honestly, I haven't been in the public eye for a while, and people have stopped talking about my art. This might be an opportunity to bring it back. I don't really like this man, for a lot of reasons, but maybe this fake-dating thing could wake up that dead part of me. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

"So?" I ask again.

"How much do you want, dear?" Laura asks, pulling out her tablet and getting ready to take notes.

"I don't want money," I say confidently. "I don't need that."

"Then what do you want?" Laura asks, clearly impressed.

Noah looks at me, surprised, like he definitely thought I'd ask for money. Wow. What does he think I am?

"Noah is going to accompany me to my cousin's wedding."

He shoots me a glare.

"Is that too much to ask?" I narrow my eyes.

Laura smiles at him, and his expression softens a little. Like he'd rather hand over a million dollars than attend a wedding with me. Wow. Great.

"What else?" she asks.

"Umm..." I try to think, but my mind goes blank.

Honestly, I want to ask for a lot more, but there's nothing else they can give.

"That's all for now," I say, smiling.

"That's all?" Laura grins. "You're very simple."

Yes, I am. But Noah's expression doesn't agree. Well, we went from blasting music at each other to fake dating, so I don't expect anything to make sense.

"Do you have any rules?" Laura asks.

I shrug. "Um, I'll agree to whatever y'all want."

"Perfect!" She beams. "You and Noah will go out a lot and be seen together. The only rule Noah has is no feelings, no physical contact, unless it's for publicity."

Who does this man think he is? No feelings? Like he seriously believes I'd fall for him?

I don't say anything, but I will clap back. Laura gets on her feet. "Alright, guys, so it's done. I'll send the contract and have both of you sign it. From now on, you two are dating."