The Proposal

Chapter 4

He barely glanced up at you, offering you a hint of the famous smile that drove women crazy before dropping his gaze back down to his phone. Reminding you of what this was. Strictly business. You were a means to an end for him, and the money they were paying you would definitely help your plans.

With a deep breath, you sat down across from him, smoothing the silky material of your dress. He placed his phone beside his plate, glancing you up and down. "You look pretty," he spoke up just as a waiter came with a bottle of wine. Jensen nodded, and both of your glasses were instantly filled before the man left you alone once again.

You peered around the room. The place was packed, everyone dressed in their nicer clothes. A couple of women kept glancing over at Jensen, and you didn't blame them. He was stunning, and he didn't even have to work at it. He just seemed comfortable in his own skin, something that you had always wished for yourself.

"Thank you," you finally answered, picking up the heavy, leather-bound menu. "I've never eaten here before."

"It's one of my...traditions I guess you could call it," he chuckled. "It used to be Jared and I would head to the nearest bar after work on Fridays. But he flies right home to his family, while I spend about half of my weekends up here."

"And the other half?" You asked while trying to figure out what you were going to eat for dinner. Everything sounded amazing.

He shrugged. "I still head home to Texas. I have the brewery to take care of down there, and my families down there." He sat the menu off to the side. "And might I suggest the tuna? It's my favorite thing here."

"The tuna sounds delicious," you agreed. "And a brewery? That sounds like fun."

Jensen gave the waiter your order. "It was. At the beginning. Coming up with new beverages, and the whole design. Started it with my best friend. But then he died, and I don't know...I just,"

"I get it," you smiled at him, grateful that this wasn't as awkward yet as you had imagined it might have been. "But keeping the brewery going, what a wonderful memory to your friend."

"It is, isn't it?" He seemed shocked that he hadn't thought of it himself. "I'm actually planning on going down there tomorrow, and that's one of the reason's I wanted to have this meeting."

You nodded as the waiter carefully placed your food in front of you. It looked amazing. "I figured there would be some ground rules," you mumbled before taking a bite of the flaky tuna. "Oh, this is good."

His eyes twinkled as he watched you enjoy the meal. "I knew you would enjoy it. Now, on to the ground rules."

"Of course."

He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "Here's some information that you will need to know. It felt weird writing them down, but if you're going to be my fiancee, they are things you should know."

You quickly glanced over them. His favorite food, color, what he was allergic to. His parent's name, things like that. Tucking it in your purse, you turned your attention back to the conversation. "Of course. I'll read through it later."

"Thank you," he seemed slightly relieved. "It feels so stupid doing this, but it's what the studio wanted, and it seemed like the best bet at the time."

"I understand," you assured him. "Sometimes we make crazy choices just to make our lives better. Or easier."

He reached for his wine glass, downing what was left in one shot. "Thanks. And that's why I wanted to clear the air. To set some guidelines."

"I will do my best to follow them," you answered.

"Good," he took a deep breath. "First, we both need to remember this is strictly business. I know I said earlier that I was attracted to you. And while that will help our facade, I don't want you to get your hopes up."

You knew that it was going to be strictly business, but hearing it from his lips still stung. "Got it."

"Second, we need to come up with a cover story. Everyone will know that we work together. But we need some more information for this to work. And then, I was hoping, after all of this you would head down to Texas with me. Tomorrow. I know it's short notice, but I want to get this rolling."

You almost choked on a bite of perfectly steamed rice. "Tomorrow?"

He nodded. "I'll understand if you can't. But tomorrow we're supposed to have a family get together at the brewery. I thought it would be the perfect time to propose."

Propose? Through all of this, you had never considered the fact that Jensen would actually have to propose to you. In the back of your mind, you had thought maybe it would just happen. That they would mention it in the entertainment news or drop it on social media. "You really want to do that?" You blurted.

Your shock seemed to lighten the mood. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Not really. But I know my family. And if it isn't done in person, with witnesses, then they won't let me live it down."

Sure, you had agreed to all of this, but you thought that you would have a couple of days to adjust. To plan, and get ready for the onslaught of media and attention turned your way. But now, you would be heading to Texas in the morning, and getting proposed to be evening. It all seemed a little too much.

Realizing that you were trying to wrap your mind around everything, Jensen leaned forward, taking your hand in his. "Listen, I'll be by your side every step of the way. You're not in this alone. I'd tell you to pretend it was all just an act, but you're a PA, not an actress. Just promise me, you'll talk to me. I don't want any secrets between us while this is going on. Otherwise, I don't think it will work."