Page 19 of It's Not All Fake

They are just memories. Just thoughts, I tell myself. They are not hurting anything. I just need to stop myself from doing anything that isn’t part of our public relationship deal.

Liam is still immersed in conversation with Bill and a few other men on the far side of the rooftop terrace.

The temperature is dropping and I’m getting cold again. I rub my arms.

“Beautiful view, huh?”

I whip around at the gravelly voice and see a tall, beefy man with wavy blond hair approaching, holding two drinks.

“Yes, it is…”

“I’m Liam’s friend, Patrick.” He gives me a bright, white grin. “For you,” he says, handing me a glass of white wine. I don’t need another, but I take it to be polite.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chloe.” I extend my hand.

“I know. You’ve caused quite a stir tonight.”

A stir? I suppose our PDA was noticed by more than a few women, or else their gossip is spreading like wildfire.

Patrick takes my hand, but instead of shaking it as I expect, he surprises me by bringing it to his lips and kissing it.

I inwardly grimace. Outwardly, I laugh nervously and reclaim my hand quickly.

“So, how do you know Liam?” I ask, skeptical that Patrick could be a true friend of his.

“We’ve worked on a couple projects together.” He smiles. “How long have you and Liam been dating?” Patrick takes a step closer to me, and I take a step back. I realize then that I am trapped, the glass railing and a large potted plant creating a corner with Patrick now blocking any easy way out.

“Um, not that long. We met online,” I explain stiffly, remembering our newly crafted backstory.

“I’m having a party next weekend at my Bel-Air property. I’d love for you to come, and Liam if he is available.” He rests his arm on the glass railing, his hand nearly touching my arm. I am hyperaware that he is too close.

But I don’t want to offend Liam’s friend or business partner, or whatever he is.

“Sure, I’ll talk to Liam about it. I’ll go find him,” I suggest and try to move past Patrick, but he doesn’t budge and blocks my way.

“You know, it can be hard to date someone successful,” Patrick shares. “I’ve lost women because I didn’t have my priorities straight. Liam’s never going to change, Chloe. You deserve someone who can focus on you, not leave you alone at a party.”

My stomach crawls. He doesn’t even know me. I swallow hard, wanting to tell him off but also not wanting to offend Patrick and somehow embarrass Liam.

“Patrick, what the fuck,” Liam says, walking up to us and patting Patrick on the back, a little too hard. His tone sounds half-joking, but I can hear his tension through gritted teeth.

On the other hand, I feel instant relief at Liam’s reappearance.

Patrick steps back, surprised by Liam’s sudden return. “Just keeping Chloe company.”

Liam takes my hand and pulls me towards him, away from Patrick.

“Doesn’t look like that’s all,” Liam challenges Patrick, though he keeps the semblance of a smile on his face. “You’re pulling this shit here?” He keeps his voice low and nods to the crowd, where quite a few partygoers are looking our way.

“We were just having a nice time getting to know each other, Liam.” Patrick smiles back, clearly pushing Liam’s buttons. I bristle at Patrick’s description of our encounter and open my mouth to protest but Liam speaks first.

“You don’t want to pick a fight with me, Patrick,” Liam says with a calm smile that contradicts his stern words. “Flirt with someone else’s girlfriend.” His smile becomes less forced and more pitying.

Damn.

“Enjoy the party,” Liam calls over his shoulder as we walk away, his hand in mine again. He leans over to my ear and reminds me to “smile” as we weave through the crowd toward the exit.

I perk up the corners of my lips mechanically as we stride past the fake dead body in the pool, but my mind is racing. Liam’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. Patrick is clearly no friend of his.

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