Heart of Stone

Chapter Eight: Dinner with the Devil

"Ed?" Gabby fought with the zip at the back of my dress, almost catching my skin as she did so. Nervous, I swept a section of dark, wavy hair over my shoulder and out of harm's way. "I expected something more glamorous. Like Theodor."

"People aren't born glamorous rock stars, Gabs," Becca said. "It's probably why he has a stage name."

"Ed Sheeran's doing okay with his name," I said, tugging the material of my dress to straighten it.

The cream bodycon dress in a ruffled chiffon fabric had been my go-to outfit when needing sexy but classy attire at university. After sitting unused in my wardrobe for the last few years, I was relieved to find I could still squeeze into it. Something completely new would have been better, but until I made some money from this plan, I didn't have the luxury of a healthy bank balance.

"Anyway, you're missing the point. He trusted me enough to tell me. That's good progress, right?"

Gabby looked at me through the mirror's reflection. "No offense, Soph, but we need something a bit juicier than this."

I twisted to face them both. "Obviously. I said it's progress."

"Yes, and talking of progress, we need to discuss strategy for this date." Gabby joined Becca on the foot of my bed, and two pairs of eyes burned into me.

"It's not a date."

That was clearly the wrong answer, as they both rolled their eyes at me.

"That's why we need to discuss strategy, Soph," Becca said. "You can't keep shutting down romantic possibilities like this. You need to make him believe he's got a chance with you, otherwise he might lose interest and our plan is blown."

I'd assumed it would come to this. Teddy and I had known each other a week and we'd agreed to take it slow, but the girls recognised the risks that posed. The only reason for hanging out with Teddy was to expose him, and putting in all this effort would be pointless if he could drop me at the flick of a switch.

One thing was for sure—with all his security protection, I'd never get close to him again if he did decide to cut ties.

"Fine." I slipped my feet into my sexiest pair of heels and then stared at the girls with expectation. "Strategy."

*

Once again, a driver picked me up and drove me to the restaurant. He told me to say I had a reservation under Notes so that the staff knew where to direct me. That turned out to be a private room at the back, where Teddy sat waiting for me.

He stood as the waitress took my coat, his eyes skimming over my body. Upon realising I'd caught him doing it, he smiled.

"You look great, Soph."

"So do you."

With Becca's blessing, I shouldn't have felt guilty flirting, but part of me still hated myself because it wouldn't entirely be an act with someone as handsome and charming as him.