“So, two thousand dollars a month? On top of what Griffin pays you here?”
She rolls her lips as her eyes narrow further. “Yes. And before you ask, Griffin knows about it now. But assuming it doesn’t affect The Songbird and my work here, he doesn’t interfere in what I do during my personal time. He isn’t as nosey as some people.”
The corners of my mouth twitch.
“You call it being nosey. I call it being a concerned friend.”
“We’re friends, are we?” She crosses her arms, and I’m pretty sure the corner of her perfect pink lips twitches too as her eyes flit over my face.
I blow out a deep breath, hiding my smile as I fuck with her. “I mean Griffin. The last thing he needs is some aggrieved guy coming in here to confront you when he finds out you’re working on behalf of an agency.”
She snorts, rolling her eyes at me. “That won’t happen.”
“It might.”
“It won’t.”
“Might.”
“Won’t.”
She sighs, her eyes still fixed on mine. “You’re going to miss speaking to him if you don’t catch him now.”
I put my hands on my hips as I stare back at her.
“Fine, your call—” she says as she turns back to her computer.
“Three thousand.”
“Sorry?”
Her attention is back on me again, and the words come out before I can stop them.
“Three thousand dollars a month to be my girlfriend.”
“What?”
I have her full attention now as her eyes widen and her mouth forms a perfect little ‘O’.
“My campaign manager says it will help the public view me in a better light and aid the campaign.”
“You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend in public, so you have a better chance of being elected mayor?” She raises her brows as she continues to stare at me.
He said to choose someone with a regular job who’s believable. Harley’s day job is regular, even if her evening one isn’t. And now I know she can play a part. She’s perfect. Plus, it’ll keep her away from the married creeps trying to get in her panties. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before.
“Yes, exactly.”
She looks at me as though I’ve just pulled my pants down and pissed all over the floor. “For three thousand dollars a month?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
I place my palms on her desk and lean closer. “What do you mean, no? It’s more than you earn trapping. And it’s a lot safer.”
“Really? Safer with you? Don’t forget, Maria is my friend, and she had a very interesting time being your neighbor.” She smirks.
I squeeze my eyes shut and hiss out a breath. It’s unfortunate that all those months ago, I didn’t know the apartment next to mine was no longer empty. Otherwise, I would have kept the noise down. Well… probably not, but I would have at least had more consideration about when I brought guests back. Luckily, I get on great with Griffin’s fiancée, Maria, now. She hasn’t held my past against me, unlike some people.