How To Survive A Blind Date With An Influencer?

Reid Thomas is known for having a revolving door of females in his bed and for not wanting a mate. He's even created rules for himself to follow so he doesn't fall into the trap of a committed, long-term relationship. But when he loses a bet to his best friend, he's sent on a blind date. There, he meets Taryn Campbell, a feisty warrior with a personality to match, who has him questioning his strict rules. After all, aren't rules made to be broken? This is Book 2 of the Crescent Lake series. It can be read as a standalone, however, for context and an introduction to the world and characters, it is recommended that you read "The Alpha's Pen Pal" before reading "The Beta's Blind Date."

⚠️🌶️WARNING!: Rule #1: Don’t fall for your fake boyfriend. Rule #2: Especially when he’s sworn to destroy you.🌶️⚠️ I ruined Zane Ashford’s career with four seconds of footage and a source I trusted too fast. I’m his redemption arc, his PR save, his fake girlfriend for a reality show that could restore everything I took from him. The deal was six weeks of convincing performances. No feelings. No complications. That was the plan. But the reality? His hands on my throat while he kisses me breathless. His body pinning mine against walls when no one’s looking. His whispered confessions in the dark that sound nothing like hate. “It’s all part of the act.”Then why are you shaking?”“So are you.” We were supposed to be acting. But somewhere between the fake kisses and the real one, between the person he pretends to be and the one I keep finding in the dark—I stopped remembering which one is the lie. He still hadn’t forgiven me. And I’m not still sure I deserve it. But hatred never tasted this good.

Getting drunk and asking the cute guy at the bar to pose as your fake boyfriend at your sister’s wedding? What could possibly go wrong… Not like he is a famous HOTTER THAN ALL HECK actor who is going to ask you to marry him so that he can get more time in the spotlight now that he is no longer relevant. Surely that won’t happen…

I had just moved in when the young male model across the hall called the police. He claimed I had fallen in love with him, turned bitter when he rejected me, and had been harassing him ever since—banging on his door, threatening him, and even trying to sexually coerce him. When the police showed up, he pointed right at me and started yelling, “Pervert! You knock on my door every night! You even use binoculars to spy on me, and you’ve been posting my photos online! “I’ve seen you! Standing by your window, staring at me, always trying to get close. It’s disgusting!” The neighbors gathered around, whispering and pointing at me. Someone even shoved me, calling me shameless. “Women like this are trash.” “She looks normal. Who would've thought she's a creep?” Under everyone’s accusations, I slowly took off my sunglasses, revealing the hollow sockets where my eyes should be. “Officer, how exactly is a blind person supposed to peep at anyone?”

My grandfather, Marvin Vega, arranges a blind date for me. The guy, Hugo Crawford, comes from a well-respected scholarly family. Wanting to make a good impression on Hugo, I put extra effort into dressing up. But I have barely taken my seat when Hugo's self-proclaimed "gold-digger detector" childhood friend, Marlene Welch, comes charging over. She crosses her arms and sweeps a disdainful look over my outfit. "You're covered in designer brands from head to toe. How much are you planning to squeeze out of Hugo?" Hugo helplessly pulls her back and explains apologetically to me in a low voice, "She just went through a breakup, so she can't stand women who wear designer brands. Please don't take it personally." I smile and say nothing, figuring it's best not to make a scene at a first meeting. But Marlene starts criticizing me again, "You put on this whole pampered heiress act with the designer clothes and jewelry just so men will willingly bankroll you. "All this designer stuff must be from some ex-boyfriend you bled dry, right? Since I was little, I've seen plenty of fake socialites like you who'll stop at nothing to marry into money and bleed a man dry." I let out an exasperated laugh at hearing such vicious, prejudiced remarks. I then glance at the Patek Philippe on my wrist. Even in ten years, she still won't be able to afford what I'm wearing right now.

In the fashion industry, I was known as the most mysterious designer. I worked hard to keep my identity from the public. As I stood at the top of business, I was invited to be the secret judge of the Innovating Design Competition’s final round. The organizer reserved a VIP seat for me in the middle of the front row and ensured that my presence would not be revealed. Just when I was about to sit down, a new male influencer pushed me aside and threw his hand bag onto my seat. “What are you looking at, bumpkin? How dare you show up at the VIP section dressed like a beggar? Where’s the security? Throw this person out!” I swallowed back my anger and replied coldly, “This seat was reserved for me.” The influencer laughed. “Yours? Do you know who I am? Ms. Reid spent eighty million dollars in sponsorship to get me to come here! Ms. Reid has the final say in this industry. Do you understand me?” I could only scoff at him. How bold of the Reid family! Did they really think they could make this kind of decision without consulting me?