“That is definitely Frankie! Oh my God, Barrett! They’re making out. She’s cheating on Fred.” Chloe’s eyes widen, her nostrils flaring in outrage. “Can you believe this?”

I struggle to find the words. “It’s awful. I feel for the guy. He adores Frankie,” I say.

“You’re going to tell him, right?” Chloe asks.

“What?”

“That you saw Frankie kissing another guy. You have to tell Fred.”

I lean into the backrest of the booth. I’ve seen them doing way more than kissing.

Chloe shifts her gaze back to me. It’s clear the moment that she realizes I’m not as surprised by this discovery as she is.

“Wait. Did you already know this?” she asks.

While not telling Chloe that I saw Frankie and Vance together was an omission, I can’t outright lie to her face.

“Yes. I saw them together. At the club. A few weeks ago. He’s a tennis pro there.”

“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?”

I pause, wondering what the issue is. “Why would you need to know?”

That question doesn’t go over well.

“Um, because their relationship is the reason we’ve been fake dating.”

“That was before. We’re together now.”

“Are we? Because this seems like information that you would share with someone you’re dating.”

“It doesn’t affect you. Or us,” I argue.

“It doesn’t affect me? What if Frankie calls and wants to hang out? What if we see them out at an event? Am I supposed to pretend that I don’t know what is going on?” Chloe shakes her head. “You have to tell Fred.”

“No. I can’t tell Fred. There’s too much at stake.”

Chloe laughs humorously. “Your deal? That’s why you haven’t said anything?”

“I’ll tell him. After we’ve signed.”

Chloe gapes at me, the color in her cheeks darkening. “You’re going to let Fred sign away his company to you, a man he trusts, and then tell him you knew his girlfriend is cheating on him?”

I take a sip of coffee, trying to get a handle on the situation. I have to make Chloe understand how this could fuck up everything I’ve been working for. How important this deal is for me. Carl is right. The deal isn’t done until it’s signed. If I tell Fred about Frankie, there’s no telling how he will react.

Chloe thinks we would be doing him a favor, but Fred is content with Frankie. The whole thing could blow up in my face. Blow up the deal I’ve been working months to secure.

“I’ve been busting my ass to make this deal happen. I’m not going to throw it away because Fred’s girlfriend is using him. It’s not personal—”

“It’s business. Right. Of course, this makes perfect sense.”

“What do you mean by that?” My jaw clenches.