Catie nodded slowly. “I see the problem, hotshot. By going solo most of the time, you’ve now set yourself up so you can’t take anyone without it being a major deal.”

“Exactly.” He pointed at her. “Which leads me to the solution to our mutual problems.”

“I’m listening.”

“I promised Leon I’d show up to the premiere of his play. He’s wrangled a theater outside the city for it.” He paused, frowned. “You ever met him? He came to a couple of barbeques at Mum and Dad’s, but I think it might’ve been while you were training out of the country.”

Catie shook her head. “I definitely don’t remember a friend of yours who’s involved with plays. You said he booked the theater—do you mean he’s actually putting on the play? Producing the whole thing?”

“Yeah, he’s fucking talented. Wrote the script, too.” Pure, generous warmth. “Anyway, his premiere deal’s meant to be tomorrow—if it manages to go ahead.” He nodded at the falling snow. “But if it does”—he lifted crossed fingers—“you could come with me to that. And later to a couple of other things, and I’ll be your fake boyfriend for whatever length of time is enough to protect you from any backlash.”

Catie chewed on that. “I have to pretend to adore you?” she asked dubiously.

Throwing back his head, Danny laughed so hard that she tried to kick him. “You’re not that good an actress, princess,” he said, catching her foot with a careful hand, his eyes dancing. “Just be your usual annoying self—according to everyone, that’s a sign of twuuu wuuuv anyway.”

Catie snorted out a laugh. “The fam won’t go for it.” They knew the two of them too well. Even Jacqueline. “Veni either. She’s already suspicious.”

“We’ll bring them in on the act. I do not want to try lying to my mother—or yours. And I have no problem with Veni knowing—when we were kids, I tried to bribe her with chocolate to play a prank on you. She dumped a glass of ice water on my head.”

Catie felt zero surprise at the latter. As for their parents… Alison just knew when you were bullshitting. It was like a superpower. And Jacqueline was relentless. “They’ll think it’s weird.”

“Nah. They’ve seen all the media crap with Gabe and Jake. They’ll get it.”

“Hmm.” Catie considered his idea, thought of all the money she could make for the organizations that relied heavily on her support. “You up for doing a few couple-type sponsorships?”

“Yeah, if you want. You want to bulk up the funding to the camp?”