“Wait!” Sherry rubbed a hand over her face. “Jake and I would have to move in with you?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“As soon as possible.” The sooner the show started, the sooner her grandmother could see it.

Sherry took another sip. “And…and what would I do there? I mean, other than living at your place.”

“For starters, I’d like you to come with me to events and pretend to be in love with me.”

“You mean like holding hands?”

“Sure, and kissing, of course.” Thinking about kissing Sherry made Madison feel giddy.

Sherry swallowed hard. “K-kissing?”

“Hey, I don’t have a contagious disease.” She inspected her fingernails. “A lot of women would give their right hand to kiss me.”

A noise between a cough and a snort escaped Sherry’s lips.

“Do you think that’s funny?” Madison spoke louder than intended. Nobody made fun of her, and certainly not this little waitress.

Sherry pressed her lips together and shook her head.

Maybe it hadn’t been the best idea to choose this woman, but now that she had placed a bet with Janice, she couldn’t back off. Maybe Sherry would give in if she pressed further. “Will you do it or not?”

“How exactly would I get my money? And you said Jake would be taken care of medically.”

At least she had listened. “You and your son will have everything you need. And when the job is done successfully, you’ll get a bonus. Let’s say ten grand.”

Sherry had been about to take another bite, but she stopped in her tracks. “How long would I have to play the role of your partner?”

It seemed there was no way but to tell Sherry the truth. “My grandmother intents to cut me out of her will. She thinks I’m irresponsible and…other things.” Madison let her hand slide over the leather-bound wheel. “She’s a very wealthy woman. Cutting me off… That’s not an option.” Madison looked at Sherry. “But she’s old. She’ll bite the dust…um, I mean she won’t live that much longer. However, for now she needs to be convinced that I’ve changed and that I’m the grandchild she wants me to be. So we have to pretend to be a couple at least until she thinks I’ve changed.”

Sherry hesitated but then continued to eat. After a few seconds, she asked in an almost casual tone, “Your grandmother would be happy to have a lesbian grandkid?”

Madison snorted. “Absolutely not. But she knows that I’m a lesbian. If I show up at her door with a guy, she would never buy it.” The leather seat under her squeaked when she shifted toward Sherry. “So, do we have a deal?”

Sherry finished the burger and took some fries. “Would we have a contract?”