Page 29 of Texting My Secret CEO
“I’m sorry,” I say, trying to sound apologetic. “I have a boyfriend.”
“Ah, of course,” he says. “Lucky guy.”
“Thank you.”
During the drive home, I ask myself why I said that. I think it has something to do with not betraying Jackson. Which is nuts because A) we’re not in a relationship and B)there’s a small but real chance this isn’t even Jackson Cross.
Later, when I meet Mara for coffee, she looks at me like I’m crazy when I say that. “So, you think the announcement when he said your name was a coincidence? And he just magically has access to a different version of the level in his own game?”
“Until I’m face-to-face with him,” I say. “I’m not assuming anything.”
A nasty thought hits me. Not for the first time, but I won’t say it aloud. I haven’t been able to find any mention of what Jackson told me online. Nothing about his mother anywhere. Would a person lie about that? Or maybe the story belongs to someone else, the mystery man behind TheRealCreator.
I excuse myself and go to the restroom. Scrolling while using the bathroom is probably a bad habit, but I do it anyway. An email pops up on my screen.
You Are Cordially Invited…
I open it, my mouth falling open, disbelief gripping me.
Halcyon is hosting a special graphics showcase, and they’ve invited streamers, graphics specialists, and business owners.
“This just proves it,” Mara says when I return and show her my phone.
“You think it has to be Jackson?”
“Hello.” She waves the email in front of my face. “It says right here, this is a last-minute decision. He wants you there, Dakky.”
“He told me he has to be careful. If people know he’s pursuing me, it could make him look bad.”
“Do you disagree?” Mara asks, lips pursed.
“How can I? Most people would think I’m some starstruck, naïve girl, drooling over the creator of my favorite video game.”
“Starstruck, naïve,” Mara mutters, shaking her head. “You can’t stream for almost ten years and stay naïve. And you don’t seem starstruck.”
“Maybe I will in person,” I murmur. “But it’s not like I’ve ever been star-crazy for anyone, not even him. Sure, I might’ve thought,he’s hot, from time to time. And I took an interest in him because of the game. But I’m not really a celebrity girlie.”
Mara nods in agreement. “But you don’t want to sneak around?”
She can always read me so well. “What if there are other girls? What if he’s saying this to all of us?Keep it secret. I have to be careful.”
“It does sound like the sort of thing billionaire CEOs do,” Mara says. “But, the way I see it, it’s win-win. Either he’s telling the truth and you get a shot at, at the very least, having some fun. Or he’s lying and you get an amazing opportunity for your career. Maybe just try not to get attached too soon.”
“Yeah, true,” I murmur, not sure if I should tell her I alreadyamattached.
Before I start up my stream that evening, I message him.
DakkyDuck: Did you do this for me?
TheRealCreator: Yes.
I smile. He didn’t try to evade, to qualify. He didn’t even need to ask what I was talking about.
DakkyDuck: There are easier ways to meet someone in secret.
Heat runs up between my legs and up my spine. Spreading over my body. Words on a screen shouldn’t be able to make me feel like this. But they do.
TheRealCreator: I don’t want to meet you in a seedy way. We deserve to meet in public, not in some hotel where we have to sneak through the back door. I’m sorry it has to be like this, but at least I’ll be able to see you, Dakota, and speak to you. Touch you.
