The Ceo Daddy Next Door: A Single Dad Romance

Grace fished her phone from her purse and consulted it. “I have to go. Problem with the guest list. I’ll catch up with you later.” She patted Ashley on the shoulder. “You’re doing great. Just keep smiling.”

Grace disappeared into the crowd as Marcus brought their drinks.

“Ashley George, I want to know when exactly you got a boyfriend,” a woman said from behind them.

Ashley turned, only to come face-to-face with Maryann, editor for the online gossip site that had published the embarrassing pictures of Ashley buying ice cream on a Saturday night. Maryann was a near-perfect human specimen, long legs and a button nose, but her personality was of the rodent variety.

Ashley cupped her hand around Marcus’s ear. “Careful with this one. She’s mean.”

Marcus offered his hand. “Marcus Chambers. Pleased to meet you. You are?”

“Maryann Powell. Celebrity Chitchat. We’re the premier gossip website on the East Coast.”

Marcus nodded in his distinguished English manner. “Ah. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to see your website, but I’m sure it’s of the highest caliber.”

Ashley snickered and took another gulp of her drink.

“I keep close tabs on you, Ashley.” Maryann pointed right at her. “It’s my job to know if you have a boyfriend. There’s no way this got past me.”

Ashley fought the urge to roll her eyes. People like Maryann were exactly the reason she sometimes hated the business of being a so-called celebrity. “We’re neighbors, Maryann. That’s how we met, and that’s how we kept it quiet.”

“Right across the hall from each other, as fate would have it,” Marcus added.

Marcus had spoken so quickly that it was as if he was finishing her sentence. It came across as perfectly natural and seamless, nothing at all like the true nature of their relationship.

“And?” Maryann asked. “I want juicy details. This is your chance, you know. I could plaster you two all over our home page tomorrow morning. Our site is insanely good for business.”

Just then, a photographer popped up behind Maryann and snapped some pictures. The network had granted several news outlets unlimited access to the party. Including Maryann’s trashy website, apparently.

“It’s quite simple.” Marcus put his arm around Ashley. “We went on a date and sparks flew.”

Ashley would’ve beamed at the fact that he’d remembered he was supposed to mention sparks if she wasn’t so dumbstruck by having his solid arm draped across her shoulder. He tugged her closer, the way a real boyfriend would. He was even rubbing her upper arm with his fingertips in gentle, swirling circles. She had to make a conscious decision to remain standing. Either the gin was getting to her or that soft brush of his skin on hers was making her light-headed.

“I just think it’s weird that I haven’t seen you two out anywhere together. This isn’t some sort of publicity stunt, is it? We got a zillion comments on those pictures of you buying ice cream, and that wasn’t that long ago. The timing seems a little convenient. I know Grace. She’s a brilliant publicist. There’s no way she was going to let those pictures go unanswered.”

If Ashley could’ve chosen a superpower at that moment, it would’ve been the ability to make Maryann invisible. As in gone. They needed to get away from her, if only for her own sanity. She put her arm around Marcus’s waist and rested her head against his shoulder. She also kicked the side of his shoe as slyly as possible. “Sorry. No big conspiracy.” Just a little one.

Marcus cleared his throat and cast his sights at Ashley. Judging by the look in his eyes, he’d caught Ashley’s drift. “Shall we mingle a bit, love? I’m sure you have an awful lot of people you need to speak with tonight.” Marcus turned away, but Maryann grabbed Ashley’s arm.

“And a British gin magnate who’s a calendar model?” Maryann asked. “A little heavy-handed, don’t you think?”