“But what he did indicate was that he needed proof that Jase has settled down. That he’s changed and grown up and has no intention of repeating any of his past behavior moving forward,” Nathaniel continues.

“Oh, so he’s of the a good woman will change you crowd,” I joke and roll my eyes, but when I meet Nathaniel’s gaze, I realize I just hammered the right nail on the head. “Oh. Perfect. My favorite type.”

Jase chuckles like it’s an agreement. “The marriage wouldn’t be real but at the same time, would be real,” Jase says.

“That clarifies things exponentially,” I state sarcastically.

“I can see why you like her,” Nathaniel says.

“Like, you’re serious about this, aren’t you?” It’s rhetorical and terrifying that he is.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Jase says. Damn. “I can’t let my band or the fans down. I did it. I took the blame. My past mistakes shouldn’t ruin everything for everyone else.” The playfulness has been replaced by indisputable sincerity. “I assure you, marriage has never been in my plans, so this is just as shocking to me as it is to you. The only difference is I’ve had more time to process this.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. Jase Gizmodo of BENT is asking me—plain ol’ cookie cutter me—to marry him, the huge world-renowned star.

Pretend marry.

Marriage of convenience marry, but still marry, nonetheless.

“Miss Wright? Are you okay?” Nathaniel asks.

“How about no? To both me being okay and to the question. Just no. On the account of the fact that one, this is crazy-pants shit that actually goes on in Hollywood and two, like, what the fuck, Jase? I just met you.” Panic laced with some weird form of excited adrenaline spreads my lips into a smile that I don’t feel like I can control.

“True on all accounts,” Nathaniel says, “but at the same time, let’s remove all emotions from it and look at what it actually is. A contractual obligation. A business agreement.”

“With one of the biggest stars on the planet. No big deal.” My words drip with sarcasm as Nathaniel nods and Jase grins.

But as our stares hold, I realize that I need to look at this through a different lens. To step back and remember what Jase asked me in his opening greeting when he called me yesterday. At the end of the day, this is about money. “Okay.” I pause and I can see Nathaniel’s defensive posture relax slightly. Clearly, he’s noticed that mine has too. “So we’re talking about a business transaction, right? I pretend marry you and in exchange you pay me a fee for this . . . inconvenience?”

“Inconvenience. Yes,” Nathaniel says and smiles, his eyes flickering over to taunt his brother. Clearly, big brother is enjoying torturing little brother with my lack of a ringing endorsement.