Single Mom Sat at a Table for One — Until the CEO Appeared and Whispered: “Pretend I’m Your Husband”

The Cost of a Public Pretense

Their plates were cleared and Jackson ordered coffee for both of them. He also ordered a tiramisu to share.

As the dessert arrived, Victoria Blackwell reappeared. This time she was accompanied by an older gentleman in an expensive suit.

“Jackson,” she called, her voice carrying across several tables. “What a surprise you’re still here.”

“Allow me to introduce Harold Winters, one of our major investors at Apex.” Jackson’s expression remained pleasant, but Natalie noticed his posture stiffen.

Without thinking, she reached across the table and took his hand just as she had earlier. “Darling,” she said, her voice honeyed but firm.

“Didn’t you promise to be home early tonight? Zoe wanted to show you her science project before bedtime.” Jackson’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly before he caught on.

“You’re right. I completely lost track of time.” He turned to Victoria and Harold.

“My apologies, but family commitments take precedence.” Harold looked between them with undisguised curiosity.

“I wasn’t aware you had a family, Reed. Victoria certainly never mentioned it.” “As I told Victoria earlier, we value our privacy,” Jackson replied smoothly.

Natalie smiled sweetly at Victoria. “It was lovely meeting you earlier. Perhaps next time we can chat longer.”

“I’d love to hear about your marketing strategies at Apex. I’ve always found them interesting.” Victoria’s smile turned brittle.

“Yes, well, we should let you get back to your evening. Harold, shall we?” After they departed, Jackson exhaled slowly.

“That was brilliantly done. Where did you learn to deliver perfectly polite corporate barbs?” “Six years at Thompson and Hayes advertising taught me the art of the elegant takedown,” Natalie replied.

She realized she was still holding his hand and quickly released it. “Though I probably shouldn’t antagonize the competition before I even have the job.”

“On the contrary. I’m more convinced than ever that you’re exactly what we need.” Jackson’s expression turned serious.

“Victoria’s interest in our company isn’t just business. Parker and Reed own several valuable literary estates.” “And has first rights to some major authors’ backlists.”

“If Apex acquires us, those properties would be exploited in ways that violate everything we stand for.” “And what do you stand for exactly?”

“The radical notion that books should be published because they deserve to be read. Not just because they can turn a quick profit.” His passion was evident in the intensity of his gaze.

“My predecessor lost sight of that. I’m trying to restore it.” As they finished their dessert, Natalie checked her watch and gasped.

“It’s nearly 9. I need to get home to relieve my babysitter.” Jackson immediately signaled for the check.

“Of course. I’ve kept you much too long.” He hesitated, then added.

“But I’d like to continue our discussion. The job is yours if you want it.” “But I understand if tonight’s unorthodox interview gives you reservations.”

Natalie gathered her purse, her mind racing. “I need to think about it.”

“This evening has been unusual,” he supplied with a small smile. “That’s one word for it.”

She stood as he paid the bill. She was torn between professional opportunity and the warning bells ringing faintly in the back of her mind.

“I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.” Outside the restaurant, Jackson insisted on calling her a car service.

As they waited on the sidewalk, the spring air was cool against her skin. Natalie couldn’t help but wonder if she was seeing the real Jackson Reed or merely another carefully crafted persona.

“Thank you for playing along tonight,” he said quietly. “I owe you one.”

“Yes,” she agreed as her car arrived. “You definitely do.”

The next morning Natalie sat at her small kitchen table nursing a cup of coffee. Zoe chatted excitedly about the day ahead.

Sunlight streamed through the apartment windows, highlighting the worn edges of their furniture. It also hit the water stain on the ceiling that the landlord had promised to fix months ago.

“And then we’re going to dissect owl pellets, Mom! Real ones!” Zoe’s eyes sparkled as she spooned cereal into her mouth, milk dribbling down her chin.

“That sounds fascinating, sweetie,” Natalie replied. She reached over to wipe her daughter’s face with a napkin.

“Just remember to wash your hands very thoroughly afterward.” “I know, Mom,” Zoe said with the exaggerated patience only children can muster.

“Mrs. Fitzgerald always makes us use hand sanitizer twice.” Natalie smiled, tucking a strand of Zoe’s wild blonde curls behind her ear.

In so many ways, her daughter was her opposite. Outgoing where Natalie was reserved; fearlessly curious where Natalie was cautious.

Zoe had her father’s coloring but thankfully none of his selfishness. “Finish up, Munchkin. The bus will be here in 10 minutes.”

As Zoe raced to brush her teeth, Natalie’s phone chimed with an incoming text from an unknown number. “Good morning Natalie, it’s Jackson Reed.”

“I hope this isn’t too forward but I wanted to check if you’ve had time to consider our conversation.” “The position is yours if you want it. Starting salary 85K. Flexible hours as discussed.”

Natalie nearly dropped her coffee mug. 85,000!

The job posting had listed the range as competitive, but she’d been thinking 60, maybe 65 at most. That kind of money would change everything.

She could move them to a better apartment. She could start rebuilding her decimated savings.

Maybe she could even set aside something for Zoe’s college fund. Before she could reply, a second text arrived.

“Also I feel I should warn you. Victoria Blackwell was asking questions about you after we left.” “My assistant will be calling to brief you on some details just in case. I apologize for the complications.”

A cold knot formed in Natalie’s stomach. What had she gotten herself into?

Before she could dwell on it further, Zoe bounded back into the kitchen. Her backpack was slung over one shoulder.

“Mom, can we get ice cream after school please? Jake said there’s a new place that has bubblegum flavor.” “We’ll see, honey. Depends on how much work I get done today.”

Natalie ushered her daughter toward the door. She momentarily set aside thoughts of Jackson Reed and his complicated world.

After dropping Zoe at the bus stop, Natalie returned to find a sleek black car idling outside her apartment building. A woman in a crisp pantsuit stood beside it, checking her watch with military precision.

“Miss Parker,” the woman called as Natalie approached. “I’m Rebecca Winters, Mr. Reed’s executive assistant. May we speak privately?”

20 minutes later, Natalie sat stunned in her living room. Rebecca efficiently outlined what she called “the situation.”

“Victoria Blackwell has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow morning,” Rebecca explained. Her posture was ramrod straight, even on Natalie’s sagging couch.

“Our intelligence suggests she plans to announce that Jackson Reed fabricated a marriage to manipulate stock prices and investor confidence.” “But that’s ridiculous!” Natalie protested.

“It was just a misunderstanding at dinner!” Rebecca’s expression remained impassive.

“Miz Blackwell visited three other tables after speaking with you.” “Telling them she was a close friend of Mr. Reed’s and expressing surprise at learning about his secret wife.”

“By midnight it had reached a gossip columnist at the Business Journal.” Natalie’s head spun.

“But why would anyone care about Jackson Reed’s marital status?” “Because Parker and Reed’s largest investor group is Heartland Publishing.”

“A family-owned consortium with traditional values. They’ve been nervous about having a young single CEO at the helm.” “Mr. Reed’s perceived stability directly impacts their confidence.”

Rebecca’s tone suggested she found the situation as absurd as Natalie did, but was too professional to say so. “So what exactly does Jackson want from me?”

Rebecca handed her a folder. “A 3-month contract.”

“You publicly play the role of Mrs. Reed during key events while privately starting your new position as marketing director.” “After sufficient time has passed, you’ll separate amicably due to career differences.”

“Parker and Reed retains investor confidence, completes its restructuring away from Apex’s influence, and you receive a substantial bonus.” “In addition to your regular salary.”

Natalie flipped through the contract. Her eyes widened at the compensation figures.

“This is insane.” “Perhaps,” Rebecca acknowledged.

“But the alternative is a corporate takeover that would result in massive layoffs.” “And the dissolution of several imprints dedicated to literary fiction and educational publishing.”

“And what about my daughter? How do I explain to a seven-year-old that she needs to pretend someone is her stepfather?” “The contract includes provisions for limited public appearances with Zoey, subject to your approval.”

“Mr. Reed is prepared to meet with both of you privately first to ensure Zoe’s comfort.” Rebecca checked her watch.

“He’s requested you join him for lunch to discuss details, assuming you’re interested.” “And if I’m not?”

“The marketing position remains yours regardless. Mr. Reed was explicit about that.” Rebecca stood, smoothing her already immaculate suit.

“He asked me to assure you there’s no pressure. But time is of the essence if you are interested.”