4. Hadley
four
Hadley
“ I told you last night when you texted me, and I’m not saying it again.
You and Hollander are a team now, whether you like it or not.
Whatever conflict you two are having, figure it out and move on.
” Vance stomps to his office, leaving me standing in the middle of the main area with all the bodyguards that are in today staring at me.
I knew the day would come when I’d have to reveal myself to my co-workers and stop hiding in my apartment.
I’m just thankful Hollander isn’t here yet to see how much of a hot mess I really am.
With my wild, curly brown hair, I can never seem to calm down, and my baggy pants and sweatshirt.
At least I took the time to put in my contacts today.
My plan to show up at headquarters to speak with Vance in person has turned into a total disaster. Not only did he reprimand me in front of my coworkers, but he’s also refusing to give me a new partner.
With a sigh of defeat, I hoist my purse on my shoulder and head for the exit. “Hadley, wait a minute.” Spinning around to nearly crash into Evie as she rushes towards me. “I’m so glad you’re here. Senator Stinson called and requested a male and a female bodyguard to go undercover.”
“What does that have to do with me? I’m not a bodyguard,” I say, not following the conversation.
When Evie hesitates, my anxiety gets the best of me, and I try to fill the silence with my odd sense of humor, speaking in my best Irish accent, which isn’t very good.
“What I do have are a very particular set of skills.” When she continues to hesitate, I mumble, “Not a Liam Neeson fan, I take it.”
“Oh, I’m a Liam Neeson fan, but that’s the worst impersonation of him I’ve ever heard.” She laughs. “But enough of that. I need you to go undercover with Hollander, acting as the Senator’s girlfriend while Hollander plays the Senator’s stepsister’s boyfriend.”
“What?” My brain freezes as I try to follow the relationship.
It reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Spaceballs— I am your father’s, brother’s, nephew’s, cousin’s, former roommate.
I giggle, thinking of the line in the movie, which is as ridiculous as me being a bodyguard and going undercover.
When Evie raises an eyebrow at me, I cough, trying to cover my laughter. “Sorry. You were saying.”
With a roll of her eyes that looks suspiciously like my cats’, she continues. “You’ll have to sign the standard NDA forms, but I know I can trust you. It seems that since the Senator is young, handsome, and single, he’s become the target of a lot of unwanted attention.”
“He is hot. But why does he need a fake girlfriend?”
“Well, Hadley, it seems the Senator and his stepsister are madly in love with each other but want to wait until after next month’s election to go public. They don’t want to risk a scandal this close to the votes being cast.”
This is almost better than all those old soap operas I used to watch with my grandmother when I was growing up. “Go on. I’m listening.” I turn my full attention to her, getting completely invested in the love story and completely forgetting about the role she wants me to play.
“That’s where you and Hollander come in. You will be seen as their dates at all the official and unofficial events they have to attend until the election.”
“It sounds like a good plan, but you are forgetting one thing.” I glance down at my baggy clothes.
“I’m hardly pretty enough that people would believe the Senator would be interested in me.
” The truth slaps me in the face as I plan my escape out of the headquarters and back to my apartment, where I can shut the world out.
I should probably stop by the animal shelter and adopt another cat.
Evie breaks through my thoughts with a snort of laughter. “Oh, honey. Have you taken a good look at yourself? You’re gorgeous. Any woman would kill for your thick curls and flawless skin. And don’t even get me started on the curves I know you’re hiding under those baggy clothes.”
My mouth drops open. Evie thinks I’m gorgeous. “I’m not. They don’t.” I stammer.
“Hush up. If you channeled your inner Goddess, you would have every man falling at your feet.” At her words, a vision of Hollander pops into my head—what I wouldn’t give to have him fall at my feet.
“Luckily, I convinced Vance that you need a little makeover and some new clothes for the job. He reluctantly agreed and gave me his work credit card.” She holds up the piece of plastic with a devious smile.
“Since you like movie quotes so much, how about this one—Let’s go shopping! ”
Maybe she’s right. If I change my hair and clothes and start acting like Hollander’s Baby Girl, could I really have him fall at my feet? “Shopping!” I say in my best impression of the movie White Chicks.