FOUR

Justine

I blush when Mr. Kernos asks me how I take my coffee. It's an unexpectedly thoughtful gesture. It also feels like an intimate detail to know about someone.

I suppose I know how he takes his, though. It was one of the first things Asha impressed upon me when I started the job. Black. No sugar.

"Weak latte with two sugars, please."

The look he gives me suggests he's embarrassed to even order coffee like that, but he does it anyway and hands me the warm cup as he gets back into the car. "Now, where are the files showing our monthly revenue since December?"

I fumble with the printed papers, dropping some on the floor in my hurry. I find the right file, but now I don't know which order they go in. With a huff, I get my phone from my pocket. "I don't know how you deal with all this paper!"

Mr. Kernos shakes his head, but holds out his hand for the file. By the time he has the papers sorted, I've already got the information in front of me on my screen. "Got it!" I glance sideways at him to see how mad he is I'm not using the printouts, but honestly, if he wants me ready for this meeting, I'm better off on my phone.

He lifts a brow, but he doesn't reprimand me. "What are the figures for January?"

I read them off to him and he nods. "Fine. Use your screen. I'll keep the printouts."

We both fall silent. I'm on edge, waiting for him to ask another question and getting ready to find the answer.

He surprises me. "I will admit you seem to do better using your phone. You're full of suggestions, aren't you?"

I squirm in my seat. I can't tell if he's pleased or annoyed. I'm going to go with annoyed.

"Got any more?"

Stupid me. I open my mouth to tell him.

I snap it shut just in time! I don't need to dig my own grave here. I shake my head.

"Really? Doesn't look like it. Go on. Tell me. You're supposed to be impressing me this week. Might as well tell me if you've got some ideas about how we can improve things around here. Lord knows they can't get much worse."

I look sideways at him. This might be a really bad idea. "Well..." I hesitate.

"Go on. We've got another twenty minutes before we arrive. Might as well entertain me."

"I actually do have an idea. What you said the other day made me think."

His brow quirks at this and his smile grows wider. "Tell me more."

I clear my throat. This is probably stupid, but ever since I thought of it, it's like the idea is trying to climb out of my chest. "Well, I'm a big fan of Married for a Day. It's such a good premise. In fact I've always wanted to work on that program."

He snorts. "Let me guess. You'd like me to find you a position on Married for a Day? I applaud your drive in asking, but I'm hardly going to promote you from junior assistant into production."

I flush. "No. Nothing like that. It's actually got more to do with you."

His brows shoot up.

"I think you should go on the show yourself. Imagine the ratings if you were on it!"

He's frowning, but I still have his attention. I forge on, aware it's going over about as well as a lead balloon flies across a valley. "Minotaurs are hot right now. I mean every girl in Heartstone is fantasizing about sleeping with a minotaur ever since Jarradek Tarvost ran for mayor. But it's not just Heartstone. You can check dating websites and chat forums and well..." My color deepens. "Other media..." I cough to cover my reference to the minotaur thirst traps that have gone viral on social media lately.

Ronan chuckles. "Every girl, huh?"

I take a big sip of coffee to dull the warm glow in my cheeks. It doesn't help, of course. When I look up, he's still looking back at me with that sardonic teasing smile. I squirm. "Yeah. Well. Most girls..." I falter because I don't want to insult him. I also don't want to admit I'm currently sitting here remembering every dirty rumor I ever read about minotaur tongues and the size of minotaur equipment.

I cough. "Anyway I think it could really work. Like you said, we have to try new things. Tap into promotional opportunities on other forms of media, make the most of our highest-grossing programs to do even more for us. Plus, you know, Heartstone Times' Bachelor of the year..."

He rolls his eyes at this, but he's nodding.

My heart pounds faster in my chest.

"Well, you can listen, I'll give you that. How would it work? Would it just be for show? Like a charity stunt or something?"

"No. I think it would have to be for real."

He frowns.

"At least, you'd let people think that. You're single right?"

"Yes."

"That's great!" I cough. "I mean for the show. We could make out like you're lonely. And let people think you're serious about finding your match."

Ronan scoffs. "I'm not lonely. And if I was, I'd never go on reality TV to find someone."

That annoys me. I should have expected it. People always make fun of Married for a Day. I mean I know it's TV. I know it's set up. But there's still a part of me that believes the premise, even if I know the reality. "Well you could act, couldn't you?"

He shakes his head. "It's a clever idea. But it won't work."

"But I really think—"

"I said no."

We spend the rest of the ride in silence. I resist the urge to message Courtney and tell her I think I've just lost my job for real, in case he sees me.

I wish I'd just kept my big mouth shut.