Hayley looked at her watch, not bothering to be discrete about it. Nearly nine o'clock. She'd sent the landlady a text earlier saying she was running late because she had to deal with a work-related emergency. Which she was, kind of. After all, Jenna was working to get Reinheart to pay her rent. And Hayley was here because he asked Jenna to bring her along. Although why he did was still a mystery to Hayley.

Was it because Gabriel was there? Was she his date? That didn't make sense, as she hadn't gotten a sense that the man was interested in her in the slightest. After giving her his car key, he all but ignored her. His attention had all been focused on Suzy, and when they'd left together, he didn't even bother to get his key back. Which was why, she supposed, Reinheart gave them a ride home. Even if he hadn't shown particular interest in Hayley — or any other woman at the party — as he happily chatted with all the women who introduced themselves to him and hung out at his table.

His dinner invitation was completely baffling. Maybe he did like Jenna, after all. The pair chatted like old friends, and he regaled her with stories of his wild college years at MIT. Jenna was too captivated by Reinheart's charm that Hayley was sure her friend had forgotten she was there.

Hayley didn't say much, and neither did Gabriel. As they ate, he would occasionally regard her with a neutral expression that was neither curious nor interested. It was disconcerting, really, because the man was, well, utterly hot.

She'd seem photos of him online, but, unlike Jenna, Hayley never paid much attention to people who were famous for being rich. Her focus was on what celebrities wore, but only celebrities whom she found interesting. Who made statements not just with their clothes but with their work, their advocacies. Gabriel always dressed well and wore his clothes like a dream, but if his outfits made a statement, it was simply to remind people he had money. Even his ex-girlfriend Tallah Spencer, with whom he was seen with most often, always played it safe with her fashion choices.

But seeing him tonight, up close and unmasked, she felt the familiar nervousness that came with being in close quarters with a man so gorgeous he seemed an entirely different species. He had ridiculously pretty lips, the lower one full and sensual. He sported the exquisite jawline so many Asian men seemed to be blessed with. His dark eyes smoldered even with his most casual of glances. Right now, his gaze was making her skin grow warm with awareness.

"This is a really nice restaurant," she said, finally, trying to alleviate the awkward silence between them. She was hoping she wasn't blushing under his gaze. She hardly ever blushed, but then it wasn't every day she came under the scrutiny of someone like him.

"I'm glad you like it," he said. "Jenna said you've never been here before."

"No, I haven't. Do you come here often?" Great, apparently all she could think of to say was cliches.

"A couple of times. Mostly with friends. I prefer a more intimate place for dates."

"But this isn't a date. I mean..." She glanced at Jenna and Reinheart. "Are we here to chaperone them or something?"

The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. "No."

"Good." She nodded. "I can't really stay, you see. I have an appointment, and I'm already kind of late."

"A date?"

"No, no. I just have to go sign the lease for an apartment and drop off the security deposit."

"And you need to do it tonight?"

"Well, yeah. The landlady won't hold it for us after today."

To her surprise, he got up. "I'll take you."

"What?"

He nodded at her plate. "That is, if you're finished."

She glanced down at the remains of her salmon. She'd rushed through the meal so she could leave early. "Yeah, but..." Come to think about it, it would be best if she left now. "But you really don't have to take me."

Gabriel had walked over to stand behind her. Lowering his head, he whispered close to her ear, "You wouldn't abandon me to be their third wheel, would you?"

He was so close, she caught a whiff of the light, spicy scent of his cologne. A thrill raced up her spine, and for a moment she was tempted to close her eyes and inhale long and deep. But she forced her voice to remain steady as she replied, "I guess not."

He pulled out the chair as she rose, an act of old-fashioned chivalry she realized she'd never experienced before. He's probably just in a hurry to leave, she told herself.

They said their goodbyes. Jenna gave Hayley a not-too-indiscrete wink before she and Gabriel turned to leave.

When the valet pulled up in front of the steps to the restaurant in Gabriel's car, Hayley was suddenly unsure about leaving with him.

"Maybe I should just take a bus," she said.

"Still don't trust me?"

"No."

He didn't seem offended. Taking the key from the valet, he grinned before handing it to her. "You drive, then."

"What?"

"Can you drive a stick?" He tipped the valet with a couple of bills.

"Well, yeah."

"Come on, then." He laid a hand gently on her lower back to guide her around the car to the driver's seat.

She pulled out into the main street carefully, giving all her focus on the road. It had been a while since she was behind the wheel of a car, and she didn't want to do anything stupid like crash Gabriel's Porsche. There was no way she could afford to pay for a even the tiniest scratch.

He turned on the stereo. "Is this okay?" he said.

It was a jazz album. Hayley recognized the artist immediately. "The Lee Pan-Geun Project!"

"You like them?"

"Yeah."

"Good." His voice was low. Sexy. If Hayley didn't know any better, she would suspect he was trying to...

She shot him a brief glance. Their eyes met, and she hurriedly turned her gaze back to the road. "How old are you?"

He chuckled. "Twenty-eight. Why?"

"I'm just wondering if you're always this impulsive."

"Hardly." There was an odd note in his tone. "I'm not, really."

"So you always just hand over your car key to women you've just met?"

"Believe it or not, I do think through my actions before I do them."

"Okay."

"You're not convinced."

"No. Sorry."

"You're very straightforward. I like that."

"Why did Reinheart ask Jenna to bring me tonight?" She gave him a pointed look. "I hardly think you need him to find you dates."

"Normally, no. But I wanted to speak to you. And I didn't have your number."

His answer took her by surprise. "What? Why? You know I gave your car key back to Reinheart."

"You did, thank you. It's not about that."

"Okay. What then?"

"I need a girlfriend. A fake one."

She laughed. "Why the hell would you need a fake girlfriend?" A glance at him, and she realized he was serious.

"I want to hire you for the job."

The car screeched to a stop when Hayley jammed her foot on the brake.

.

"What?" Hayley said.

She looked confused, and Gabriel couldn't blame her. He'd spent the better part of the afternoon thinking of the best way to bring up the subject, and he decided a straightforward approach was best. Although maybe speaking to her about it while she was driving his car was not the best idea.

A car horn blared behind them.

"Maybe you should..." he said, gesturing at the road.

She looked at the rearview mirror. "Oh, sorry. I just..." The car started forward and soon they were moving again. "What do you mean— hire me?"

He sighed. After he broke the "news" to his mother that he had a girlfriend, he wasn't entirely sure what to do. He held on to the rather small hope that he wouldn't have to actually present his nonexistent girlfriend to his family, but of course he should have known better. The next day, his cousin Edward Lam called to say he would be in L.A. for his birthday.

His mother had been behind it, he was sure. After all, Edward spent half the year between Manhattan and Singapore. There was no way his decision to spend his birthday in L.A. was a coincidence. It was this weekend and of course Gabriel was expected to be there. As was his girlfriend.

"I mean I want us to pretend we're seeing each other. It's a job, and I'll pay you for your time."

"Why me?"

"I like you." At her raised eyebrows, he smiled. "Not that way. But I think you and I can get along. I don't want someone with romantic ideas, and you seem the sensible kind. Most important of all, I don't think I'm your type." And you're not mine, he didn't add. There was no sense in offending her feelings.

"I guess I'll be cheaper than hiring an escort, huh?"

"Dating an escort would look suspicious. I want this to look real." He tried to get a sense of her thoughts, but he could tell she was still trying to process what he was proposing. He kept his tone even, persuasive. If he was going to convince her to this ridiculous plan, he was going to have to use logic and reason. He didn't know if the money alone would convince her.

"We're here," she said.

They were parked on the side of an apartment building. "Is this your new place?"

"No." The sigh she made spoke volumes. Hopelessness, maybe. Definitely weariness. "The landlady lives here, but the apartment is... somewhere else."

"You don't seem to be too excited to move."

"The new place isn't ideal. But our apartment got sold to a developer, and we have to move." She smiled. "Well, thank you for..." A pause. "For letting me take your car. It was a lot faster than the bus."

"One million dollars."

Her eyes grew wide. "What?"

"For the job."

She swallowed. "And how long do I..."

"Three months. It might be less. But I'll pay you the same, either way."

She stared at him in wonder for a long moment, then glanced at the apartment building. When she turned back to face him, she said, softly, "Will I have to... you know..."

"No sex. This is purely for show."

She was visibly relieved, and Gabriel didn't know whether to be amused or insulted. But he smiled encouragingly, and added, "I'll give you part of the payment up front, of course. It will be more than enough to get you and Jenna a place you like."

He should feel guilty. After all, he was practically taking advantage of her circumstances. And although she didn't tell him exactly what her problems were, it was more than likely an issue of money. It almost always was. She was desperate, he could tell.

But then, so was he.

"You don't really want that apartment, do you?" he said. "The one you're signing the lease for tonight?"

"No."

He nodded. "Your call."

He may have imagined it, but it looked like her hands were trembling as she pulled her phone out of her purse and dialed a number.

She held the phone to her ear. "Hello, Mrs. Anderson? Yes. Thank you so much for your time. But... " She took a deep breath. "It looks like we won't be taking the apartment." A pause. "Thank you. Good night."

"I can't believe I just did that," she said after she hung up. "I hardly know you."

"Thank you."

She looked shaken. He wanted to take her hand in his to give her some reassurance that everything was going to be all right, but he knew better than to try to touch her. "You'll need to move in by tomorrow," he added. "You won't need to pack much. I'll get you new things. You can get the rest of your stuff later."

A frown creased her forehead. "But I haven't found a new place yet. We have our apartment until the end of the month."

"Hayley." He probably should have been clearer about what he needed from her, but it was a moot point now. "I'll help you get a new place before the end of the month, but you won't be moving there until the job is done."

"I don't understand."

"You'll be living with me."

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