“For the record, you’re an attractive woman, but that’s not why I’m suggesting this.” Her cheeks blush from the compliment. She’s more than just attractive. She’s stunning with her light blue eyes and sultry body. And call me crazy, but I like the ornery side of her. It makes her that much more interesting. But she’s also been an amazing friend to Mika, especially through his darker moments, when he wasn’t opening up to his family, so I’ll do whatever she needs. “I’m saying that you prove to Sanders that his camp worked so he feels good about himself, you can report back to your boss that her husband is a miracle worker and that you and your husband are better than ever, and then in a few months, when you’re ready, you can move on to a new job. In the meantime, if there’s an event or something you need from me to prove that we’re still a married couple, I have no problem filling in.”

“What do you mean, filling in?” she says, looking skeptical but also interested in my idea.

“I mean if, let’s say, you have a company Christmas party and spouses are invited, I’ll go with you.”

“Why…why would you do that?”

“Because you’re Mika’s best friend, and I’d do anything for him.” And because she’s right. I didn’t really follow the script with Sanders. She did not want to go to a marriage camp. “And, well, because I feel like I sort of failed you today even though I thought we excelled on the spot.”

“What if you fall in love in that time?”

“I won’t,” I say on a chuckle.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m not interested in love at the moment.”

“What if you are three months down the road?”

I level with her and say, “It’s not easy dating when people find out who I am.”

“What do you mean? Who are you?” Scottie asks skeptically.

“I mean, it’s just not something you need to worry about. Okay?”

Her lips quirk to the side as she mulls over my idea. After a few seconds of silence, she asks, “What if they ask about you at work and inquire why you never come to pick me up at the office?”

“Is that a thing?”

She slowly nods, her eyes wide. “You don’t know these people. They’re obsessed with their spouses. This is a commitment. This isn’t just something you haphazardly do. If you’re going to pretend to be my husband, then you’re going to have to go all in.”

I tug on my lip ring, a little unsure about what I just offered. “How long do you think it would take you to find a new job?”