Free Sophie's Playboy by Natalie J. Damschroder Page A

the night before about her no dating rule. Melina didn't think it stood a chance. Sophie feared her producer would do everything in her power to get her and Parker together.
    Stevie shuffled his papers and avoided her gaze.
    "Stevie. The ad?"
    He sighed and slapped his papers onto the table. "The anniversary of your first date."
    Sophie rolled her eyes. "If we just met, it can't be the anniversary of our first date."
    "Well, it wouldn't be the real Sophie and Parker, you'd be acting," Stevie argued.
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    Sophie's Playboy
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    Sophie finally agreed to do the ad—and there would be more, Parker was sure—as long as on the show she could counter the impression it would leave.
    "Sophie, the audience heard Parker courting you over the phone," Stevie argued. "They know he gave you a puppy.
    They'll expect it to continue."
    "But he's been quiet for two weeks!"
    "I was out of the country," Parker said. "I couldn't time things right to call."
    "The listeners won't notice it," Melina said. "They won't realize it's been two weeks."
    Sophie folded her arms. Then she realized something and turned to glare at her producer.
    "None of the callers asked me about Parker during those whole two weeks. I don't suppose my call screener had anything to do with that."
    Melina tried to look innocent. Stevie defended her. "We needed to find Parker."
    "Fine." Sophie slammed her coffee mug to the table, not bothering to ask how they'd found him, anyway. She suspected law-stretching and wanted to know nothing about it. "I'll let the listeners think we're dating. But I won't really date him. I refuse."
    Parker's tone was light when he said, "Ouch, Soph."
    She tried to hide her panic. Most people wouldn't understand why dating him was a bad thing. Most hadn't endured what she had at MMT, however, and a situation like that could spell the end of her show. "No offense, Parker, but I will not date someone I work with. This rule is unbreakable."
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    Stevie fought valiantly to the end. "Sophie, if restaurants want you to do promotions, you'll need to go together, and there will be live action broadcasts—"
    Sophie stood and started gathering her things. It was almost show time.
    "Those are work. Not dating. I'll do what I need to for work. But look at it this way, Stevie." Sophie leaned across the table and smiled. Her next words were enough to make Stevie go whiter than usual and start stammering promises.
    "If we start really dating, then break up, one of us might have to leave. Then what would happen to the ratings?"

    * * * *
    That afternoon's program went incredibly well given all the tensions stemming from their meeting. Stevie stayed away, and Parker's estimation of his intelligence rose. Melina had a calming presence, and the listeners seemed delighted with Sophie's new toy.
    And toy he was, Parker couldn't deny it. Sophie played with him through the entire show. It wasn't just contrariness, though if he said up, she said down and if he changed his mind, so did she. The woman was incredibly talented at tossing barbs that snared rather than tore.
    If he didn't know better, he'd think she was flirting with him.
    They'd wrapped the show and left the building before she spoke directly to him.
    "The show was good, wasn't it."
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    Though she'd made it a statement, he answered anyway.
    "It was great. Stevie couldn't wipe the smile off his face."
    Sophie chuckled. "You think he gets a bonus if ratings go up?"
    "Could be. It would be good business."
    "And you know all about good business, don't you?"
    Her derisive tone was back. Parker didn't know why she disliked him, but he wasn't going to let it be a deterrent. He put his hand on her shoulder as they reached the parking lot.
    "I know about fun, too. Want to go get a drink?"
    She hesitated, eyes narrowed, lips pursed just enough to make him want to tease them open. He waited, not pressing his advantage.