Her insides squirmed at the connotation. That was what Cheryl had been saying. That Willow would be grateful just to spend time with her. But the idea of being so explicit about it freaked her out. “I’m not an actor.”

“That’s okay, I’m a great boyfriend. I’ll make it look legit.”

She bit the insides of her cheeks until she felt the familiar pinch of pain. “I don’t know… On one hand, it makes sense, but what would being your girlfriend even involve?”

“Going to events together. Me sending you nice stuff that you can post on Instagram. People love that.”

Eden didn’t want to ask how he knew that. “What events?”

“I’ve got a few things on. Claudia Meccano’s having a garden party in Sydney next weekend. That could be good.”

Eden stared at him. “You know Claudia Meccano?”

“Yeah.”

He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world. Eden gaped at him. Sure, Willow played football and was on TV, but Claudia Meccano had an Oscar. Even Francis couldn’t get a guernsey at one of her parties. “I can’t believe you know her. She’s like…”

“… a Hollywood A-lister that it would be useful for you to meet?” Willow tapped a crooked fingertip on the table. “Look, I know you don’t need my help. You’re crazy talented. You’re gonna be massive. But I have contacts and half a million followers on Instagram. If you want to be in a better position sooner, I can make it happen.”

Eden chewed her inner cheeks. “Okay, but what do you get out of that?”

“Time with you.”

Eden thought of Cheryl’s suggestion that Willow would cut off a hand to touch her and felt a rush of guilt. “I guess that makes sense.”

“So, what do you think?”

She looked away, unable to hold his clear, nice-guy gaze. “I don’t know… I think I need more time.”

“Okay, let’s get out of here.”

Her stomach fluttered. “Back to your place?”

He smiled. “No, you blonde goddess.”

“Because it would make your pitch weird?”

“Because I do have to show up to practise and if you come back to mine, I’ll miss the whole day.”

Heat slithered through Eden like a viper. She imagined Willow’s curly red hair between her thighs. She pictured his powerful body pumping above hers. “Oh.”

“‘Oh’ is right.” He fiddled around on his phone, then stood. “Let’s go.”

“Do we pay at the front?”

“I’ve got this.”