Page 24 of Fake Out

“Absolutely,” I say, clenching my fists at my sides.

My mind races with thoughts of what lies ahead: the work we have to do, the trust we’ll need to build, and the transformation I have to undergo before stepping into the next meeting.

She gestures for me to take a seat on the couch. “Want some coffee? This will take us a while.”

CHAPTER 12

MARISSA

“How do you take it?” I ask, turning my back to Charlie as he sits on the couch.

“Black. Thanks.”

I busy myself at the coffee maker, not wanting him to see my face. Not wanting him to see just how much his apology impacted me.

I used to think he was just another spoiled jock, but now I see a layer of depth in him that catches me off guard. The vulnerable side he’s revealing makes me like him more than I ever thought possible.

A twinge of warmth spreads through my chest. The feeling is completely alien and undeniably terrifying. But it’s also… refreshing. Invigorating. Exciting.

I don’t turn around as I add sugar to my coffee and leave his black. I need another moment to get myself together.

It’s impossible to deny the effect Charlie is having on me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this attracted to a guy.

Actually… maybe I’ve never been this attracted. Which is terrifying.

I’ve never been lucky when it comes to men. Like I told Charlie the other day, I was in love once. Unfortunately, he cheated on me six months into the relationship.

After that, I guess I shut down. Focused on other things in life, like my work. Yes, I still believed in love… but I also started to wonder whether or not it was really for me.

Meeting Charlie feels like irony at its finest. He’s the perfect man when it comes to looks, heart, and ambition. Unfortunately, he’s also wildly imperfect when it comes to other things.

Taking a deep breath, I turn around and carry the two mugs of coffee over to the couch.

“Here.” I pass him his mug, our fingers brushing slightly in the transfer. Mm. I’d like to feel the warmth of his hands on my skin.

“Thanks.” His eyes meet mine for a moment, but then I quickly look away.

“Okay, let’s start by going over the basics.” I take my seat a cushion away from him. “We need to make sure we have all of that nailed down. Likes, hobbies, pet peeves — anything to make us seem like a real couple.”

“We already went over those.”

“And we need to go over them again.” I pin him with a hard look. “And then add from there.”

He nods, and it gives me faith that he’s not trying to argue my methods.

We spend the next hour exchanging facts about ourselves. I learn that he loves classic rock music, has a secret talent for cooking, and absolutely despises slow walkers. In turn, I share my love for hiking, my obsession with iced coffee, and my aversion to people who talk during movies.

As we dig deeper, we begin constructing a false story about how we met months ago, long before I became his agent. We decide that instead of dating right away, we remained on the outskirts of each other’s lives, intrigued but hesitant to take the plunge.

“Then, when I needed new representation, you offered to step in,” Charlie adds, a mischievous grin forming on his lips. “And that’s when we realized our feelings for each other.”

“Exactly,” I agree, returning his smile. It’s a solid story, and I feel confident that it’ll be convincing enough for the upcoming meeting.

With every detail we add, the tension in the room seems to shift. I notice how Charlie’s eyes seem to linger on me a little longer than necessary, and I find myself doing the same.

The hours fly by. We order room service and quiz each other on details as we pace around the room. We laugh at stories from our college days. We even share a few awkward silences, our eyes meeting in a way that makes my heart pound and my cheeks flush.

Charlie’s laugh is infectious, his smile genuine. His warmth fills the room, oddly comforting in an environment that’s supposed to be all business. He’s much more than I initially thought — more than just a pretty face and a talented athlete. There’s depth to Charlie Elwood; there’s surprising softness.

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