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He stared at her for a few extra seconds as he digested that infor “So, the relationship wasn’t real?”

“No” She shook her head “It was fake And all for show”

“For three years?” he asked incredulously, even more bewildered by the situation

She nodded, her fingers playing with the he ers in the music industry, and my mother and his publicist saw an opportunity to proether But eren’t together in that sort of way”

“You never kissed him?”

A shtly amused smile appeared on her lips “Only in public, and hout the year when there were cameras around to capture the moment It was usually a chaste kiss on the cheek or lips and hand-holding That was the extent of our physical affection”

“And you never slept with him?” He wasn’t sure why he needed that affirmation, but he did

She laughed, the sound tinged with humor “No Not even close Part of the reason for the publicity stunt was because Zane Bishop is gay and his publicist didn’t want that to get out It was a cover-up I was his beard”

Collin’s jaw dropped in shock, and he pulled it shut again “Holy shit”

She waggled a finger at hi “NDA,” she reminded him

He wouldn’t say a word, but her sexual inexperience now uy she was linked to for three years wasn’t interested in girls He was floored by the realization And ridiculously relieved “So, why did the two of you break it off?”

“It was actually Zane anted to end things about eight o He just didn’t feel the situation was fair toanyone So, we h his fe his heart,” she added wryly “He’s still a great friend that I keep in touch with, and I really hope he eventually goes public with the truth He deserves to be happy”

“Why did you agree to do it?” he asked quietly

She thought for a moment “Three reasons, actually My reat career move,” she said, and rolled her eyes at that “I really liked Zane and I wanted to help him But mostly, I wasn’t over you when the whole fake relationship scenario was proposed to s overall easier”

“How so?”