Page 31 of Not That Into You

He snorts. “Perish the thought. My father would’ve been devastated.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. So, if we’re getting to know each other, tell me your most embarrassing moment.”

“No. Tell me what you meant.”

His lips thin. “Monica, just forget it. It doesn’t matter.”

“But—”

“You’re my fake girlfriend, not my real girlfriend. Let it go.”

I ignore the uncomfortable feeling that twinges from my chest to my stomach as I struggle to smooth my expression. He’s right—I’m not his real girlfriend. It’s none of my business.

I take a deep breath. “So, what are your siblings’ names?”

“Archie and Grace.”

“Archie?”

“John Archibald Stanhope IV.”

“Wow.”

He smiles.

“Why does he go by Archie instead of John?”

“John was my great-grandfather, the original John Archibald Stanhope. My grandfather went by Jay, and my father goes by Trip.”

“Trip?”

“He’s John Archibald Stanhope III.”

“And?”

He glances at me. “And ‘Trip’ is a common nickname for the third. Short for ‘triple,’ I guess.”

“Huh. That’s... cool?”

Cameron shrugs. “I’ve never thought the nickname suited him. I’d expect someone called ‘Trip’ to be lighthearted and fun, which is pretty much the opposite of my father. He’s cold, exacting, and serious.”

There are clearly some daddy issues there, but judging by Cameron’s dark expression and earlier comment, it’s equally clear asking any follow-up questions would cross a line.

I swallow and try to lighten the mood. “So, you’re a chip off the old block?”

He smiles. “Absolutely.”

“I’m guessing your brother is older than you?”

“Yeah. He’s ten years older than me.”

“Really? So you’re the baby. That explains so much.”

He rolls his eyes.

“So your older brother gets saddled with the family name. What’s your full name?”

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