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“This whole thing has been orchestrated for your image and now you want to toss all that to spare her looking like the bad guy?”

“It’s not negotiable,” I repeat. “Find another spin. That’s your job.”

“Okay. Okay.” She sounds resigned, but not thrilled.

“Anyway,” I say. “Do we have to break up during the season … ?”

I search my brain for a reason why we’d stay together. We wouldn’t. The public believes we’re a couple. They love us. But we’re no longer the central focus of the news. The media has a short attention span for good news. For the most part, they’ve moved on.

“Um. What about Declan and Winona?” I say, pulling them from out of nowhere. A thought is forming. A reason to stay together.

“What about them?” Kate asks.

“They’re getting married.”

“Right?”

“Cass is the maid of honor and I’m a groomsman.”

“Right?”

“So, if we break up now, before the wedding, people will be focused on us during the wedding. They’ll be watching Cass and me. Are we friendly? Is there animosity? Do we dance with other people? I’d rather not shift the focus of their special day onto us.”

“You make a good point,” Kate says. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why the sudden interest in staying together? You were always trying to get me to set a deadline so we could end this sooner than later. What changed?”

Everything.

I started falling for my fake girlfriend.

I don’t tell Kate that, obviously.

“I’m just thinking of Declan and Winona. And the fans.”

“Of course you are, Marcus.”

She knows. Or at least she suspects. And that’s fine. I didn’t admit it. The first person I want to tell about my feelings for Cass isn’t our team PR rep.

I need to figure out whether I have a chance with Cass before this charade ends.

My only fear is that she won’t feel the same way. My mind rolls like I’m strategizing for a game where the defense is strong and I’m trying to avoid a blitz.

Winning Cass Carter’s heart might be the most important win of my life. I can’t afford to fumble.

I told Kate we’re going to keep the charade going.

My reason does make sense. We should let Declan and Winona have the spotlight at their wedding. Cass and I can figure ourselves out afterward. Now I just need to get her to agree.

I don’t waste any time, I dial Cass.

“Miss me already?” she asks when she answers.

“Always,” I answer honestly.

She thinks I’m joking.