The next day, Emily did not have to wait long for a call from her friend and soon to be fake boyfriend.

She meant to call him as soon as she finished breakfast, but her phone rang at 9 am.

“Have you forgiven me yet?” Byron’s smooth voice caressed her ear.

“Yes,” she replied, “and I want to do the fake dating.”

“You do?” his voice suddenly lost some of its professional lustre, and he sounded vulnerable for a moment. ...