Professor Feelgood (Page 57)

Jake sighs. “Easier said than done.”

A waiter offers us a tray of cocktails, and we all take one. My limit is fast approaching, so I need to make this drink last.

“Guys! Over here!” Eden waves at someone behind us, and when I turn, I see Max and Derek walking toward us.

Oh, Lord.

As soon as Derek sees me, his eyes light up, but then he glances at Eden to make sure she didn’t notice. Keeping up our secret tonight is going to be so not-fun. Dealing with Jake is taking up all my energy. I’d almost forgotten about my other mission.

After Eden and I greet the boys, I gesture to Jake. “Uh, Max … this is Jacob Stone, our latest Whiplash author. Jake this is Eden’s boyfriend and CEO of Romance Central, Max Riley. He’s the one who’s organized this incredible event.”

“Well, I’ve had a lot of help.” Max holds out his hand, and Jake shakes it. “Hey, Jake. Good to finally meet you.”

“And this is Eden’s boss and … uh …. major sponsor for tonight, Derek Fife.” I don’t know why I’m so nervous introducing Jake to Derek. For some reason, it feels like a disaster waiting to happen.

The two men shake hands, and Derek gives Jake a solemn nod. “Congratulations on the book deal, Jake. Asha’s told me you’re really talented.”

Jake seems surprised I’ve mentioned him. “Uh … thanks. That’s nice to hear.”

While Max and Eden draw Jake into a conversation about his Instagram fame, Derek takes the opportunity to lean into me and whisper, “My God, you’re stunning. You take my breath away.”

I smile and whisper back, “You don’t look so bad yourself.” He really does fill out his tux beautifully.

He surreptitiously holds out his phone for me to bump. “Just for fun.”

I glance over to make sure the other three aren’t looking then pull out my phone and bump it against his. There’s a quiet ‘ping’, and I check the results.

“Ninety-one percent,” I say, my heart sinking. Some part of me had hoped that I was imagining how great we were together, because then, my body’s reaction could be rationalized. But no. We’re exactly as compatible as I thought. Dammit.

“Huh,” Derek says. “I actually thought it would be higher.” He slides his phone into his pocket. “Only an hour to go until we can sneak away. I can’t wait to stop pretending. Finally.”

I take a swig of champagne. “Same.” Now that we’re here, my nerves are kicking in, but I can’t chicken out now. Aversion therapy may be my only chance to obliterate this stupid quirk. I’ve seen arachnophobes submit to having tarantulas crawl all over them, or people with a fear of heights rappel down a building. I just have to get naked with an attractive man without losing my mind. Easy.

When I glance at Jake, he’s frowning and looking over at Derek. Then he raises his eyebrows at me.

Oh, shit.

I down the rest of my drink and sigh. In the immortal words of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, don’t panic. Maybe he’ll keep his mouth shut and not make trouble. And maybe I’ll grow that third arm I’ve always wanted.

“We’ll have to catch up with you guys later,” Eden says. “It’s almost time for Max to give his speech, and Derek, you have to limber up your atrophied smiling muscles for when he thanks you.”

Derek scowls at her. “Do I pay you extra for being an insufferable smartass?”

“No,” she says with a grin. “I’m happy to provide that for free.”

“Lucky me.”

After they all say goodbye, Derek lingers for a second. “See you later?”

I nod, aware Jake’s watching. “Uh huh. I’ll be around.”

When they’re gone, I can feel Jake’s mental gears ticking. I gesture toward the stage. “We should go support Max’s speech, and afterwards, we can talk.” Without waiting for his approval, I move through the crowd.

He falls into step beside me. “I take it your sister is unaware you’re banging her boss.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Because I have eyes in my head, and you have zero poker face.”

“Jake ––”

“You’ve been lying to Eden? Do you understand how pissed she’s going to be when she finds out?”

“Yes, so I’d appreciate you not saying anything. I’ll tell her when the time is right.”

“Which will be when? On your wedding day? Perhaps at the birth of your first child?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

The lights dim as a spotlight comes up on Max standing at a podium in the middle of the stage. Everyone applauds.

“Good evening, everyone,” Max says with a smile. “I want to thank you all for coming to the launch of Romance Central’s new matchmaking app, Happily Ever After, or HEA. At Romance Central, we believe that everyone deserves to be loved, and with HEA, we can help find your perfect partner.”

Jake and I stand at the edge of the dance floor and join in another round of applause. As Max talks, I see Eden at the side of the stage, beaming at him.

“If you haven’t yet tried the app, we invite you to come down to the tech station near the dance floor and allow one of our assistants to take you through the process. You never know. Your soulmate might be in this very room.”

Another round of applause, this one louder than the others.

Derek is standing next to Eden, and at the mention of soul mates, he looks at me and smiles.

I smile back, but it feels forced.

“A huge thanks to our resident tech genius responsible who developed the app, Toby Jenner, and give it up for our major sponsor, Derek Fife from Pulse magazine.” Derek gives the crowd a wave.

Max goes on to talk about some of the features of the app, but I can’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong tonight. I feel like I’m on a game show.

Continue lying to Eden about my boyfriend, OR come clean and have a huge argument with her at a high-profile event.

Manage to have an amazing orgasm with Derek, OR run screaming from his room and check myself into a nunnery.

Work out differences with Jake, OR lose him from my life, forever.

I rub my temple. Too many machetes in the air.

“The obstacles that prevent us from finding love are many,” Max says. “And a lot of them are within ourselves. If you’re having trouble maintaining a lasting relationship, it may be because of an event in your past. And it doesn’t even have to be a romantic issue. It could be something unresolved with a friend or family member.”

Without thinking, I look at Jake, only to find he’s looking back at me.

Yep. That makes sense.

“That’s why HEA comes equipped with a help line that will connect you with one of our qualified therapists. Several of them are here tonight, so if you think there’s something holding you back, seek them out.”

A dating app that offers professional help? That’s freaking brilliant.

Max steps out from behind his podium and comes to the front of the stage. “Now, to help me demonstrate some of the features of the HEA app, I’m going to impose on one of our special guests to join me onstage. He’s a man who’s been brave enough to share his relationship struggles with his three million Instagram followers, and he’ll soon be a published author. Please give it up for Professor Feelgood, Jacob Stone!”