"You want me to what?" Aiden asked his boss doubtfully over the phone.

"Your neighbor's an actress, right? I need her services tonight for an event. Smile, nod, look pretty on my arm—$5,000," Aaron said loftily.

"Do you know which neighbor I was talking about? She's Keeley's roommate! What if she finds out?"

"I'll have her sign a nondisclosure agreement and threaten to sue. Simple."

Aiden ran a hand through his copper hair in exasperation.

"You're seriously paying someone to be your date? Why not just ask Keeley?"

Aaron's voice was cold. "She has a paper to write; she'd say no."

He sighed. There was no reasoning with this man. He was sure Jennica would jump at a paid acting gig, but still… this was risky.

"I'll ask her and call you back."

Aiden crossed the hall and hesitated before knocking three times. Jennica answered.

She smiled. "What's up?"

"Can I come in? I have a…kind of weird request," he said awkwardly.

She invited him in and gestured toward the couch. Keeley's cat rubbed against his ankles, making him sneeze.

Jennica sat down and looked at him expectantly.

"Okay, so my boss called…he needs a date for a fancy cocktail party tonight. His dad threatened to set him up if he didn't bring one, so he asked me to find someone to play his fake date. You're the first person I thought of."

Skepticism clouded her face. "What's wrong with him that he can't find a date himself?"

Aiden wished Aaron could see this; it would humble him! He burst out laughing, unable to control himself for several minutes. Wiping his eyes, he grinned. "Nothing. He's probably the most eligible bachelor in the city, and doesn't want to be linked with someone who'll take advantage of the exposure."

Jennica's eyes widened. "The most eligible bachelor…are you talking about Graydon Meyer or Aaron Hale?"

"Shh!"

Aiden glanced toward the bedrooms. Keeley's door was shut; study music spilled from under the crack. She probably couldn't hear, but still…

He whispered, "Aaron Hale. He's paying $5,000 for a few hours. Wear the outfit he provides, show up, smile, and nod. Please? You'd be saving my life."

Jennica caught on. "I didn't know you worked at Hale Investments."

"I'm in IT, but that's irrelevant. You'll also sign an NDA; Aaron's paranoid his love interest might find out."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "…why does he need a fake date if he has a girlfriend?"

"She's not his girlfriend yet; he's working on it," Aiden explained.

And Keeley was right there! If she found out, she'd be even less likely to give Aaron a chance. He decided honesty might help. Jennica seemed sympathetic—a sob story might work.

"Truthfully, he knows his parents won't approve of the woman he loves, so he hasn't told them. They keep setting him up, and he's dodging them, but he's cornered tonight and needs help."

Jennica's expression softened. Success!

"I didn't realize things were so complicated for rich people. Alright, I'll do it. It'll cover five months' rent, so I can't say no."

She stood, smiling mischievously. "Take me to your leader."

When Aiden and Jennica arrived at Aaron's place, a stylist was waiting to glamorize Jennica in the upstairs guest bathroom.

She was whisked away, and Aiden gawked at Aaron's insanely fancy apartment. The rich truly lived differently.

He lived in a two-bedroom unit (one room held his computer equipment), with one bathroom and a tiny kitchen. His entire apartment was probably a fraction of a single floor in Aaron's building.

"Dude, your house is sick," he said in awe.

Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Sick?"

"Slang. It's awesome." Was this guy serious?

"Oh." Aaron glanced around. "I suppose it is."

He supposed?! Aiden would never understand this guy. His job was IT, monitoring the company and fulfilling Aaron's reasonable requests outside of work hours.

This was a bit unusual, but Aaron paid well, and Aiden had a mother and sister to support. Plus, he got access to the latest electronics. There were pros and cons to an eccentric boss.

"My mission's accomplished. I have an RPG calling my name, so I'll use your driver while she gets ready."

Aaron stopped him. "Wait! Did you…see Keeley?"

Aiden smirked. Of course that's what he cared about.

"Nope. She was in her room, working on her paper. I met her cat, though."

"That's more than I have," Aaron grumbled, his coldness intensifying.

Aiden wasn't afraid of Aaron, but he disliked his glacier mode.

"Hey man, you're the one who wanted me to be her neighbor. I've never been in her house before today—on your orders."

This appeased him, and he let Aiden go. What a weird guy.