Page 87 of It's Not All Fake

“They won’t miss us at the party,” I suggest, wondering if she’ll agree to sneak off with me to the far end of the house.

Chloe seems tempted, but then her expression becomes more serious. “I came to tell you that I think I forgot some things at my place. Maybe I should run back.”

I let out a sigh and lift her up onto my desk. I stand up and lean over her, gripping the edges of the desk.

I flash her a mischievous grin. “You won’t need pajamas.” I give her a quick kiss on the lips and she smiles.

“Well, I do need underwear if we’re going to be walking around France,” she retorts.

“I disagree. I don’t think you’ll need it.” I shake my head.

She giggles and I kiss her again. Her body relaxes against mine, and every fiber of my being wants to undo the pretty bow at her waist and lay her back on the desk. But there are people only a short distance down the hall.

I give her one last deep kiss before pulling away, both of us breathing heavily now.

“At least I get you all to myself for ten days,” I whisper, tracing my thumb along her cheekbone.

Chloe’s been so busy prepping her life coaching clients to manage without her during our trip, I’m not surprised she forgot to pack underwear. Her business has rebounded from the hack, thriving now more than ever—partly due to our publicity, but mostly because of her genuine talent and dedication.

“I can’t believe we’re going to Europe,” Chloe beams. “It’s at least on par with Bachelor-level romance,” she teases.

I laugh. “Don’t worry, I have some traffic jams and lost luggage planned to balance it out,” I assure her.

“We probably don’t need our bags with all our clothes inside anyway,” she quips, shrugging playfully.

“Probably not.”

I lean in and kiss her again because I simply can’t resist. She responds with a delectable little sound, and I want more of her. She matches my hunger as I pull her closer against me. Her arms find their way around my neck as I savor the feel of her small waist under my hands. I take my time, kissing her deeply, slowly, cognizant of the fact the door is slightly ajar.

“Liam—” my mother’s voice interrupts. “Oh!” I hear her startled exclamation as I reluctantly break the kiss and glance up. “Don’t mind me, carry on!” she says, covering her eyes as she quickly retreats down the hallway.

Oh, fuck. At least all our clothes are still on.

I exhale and look at Chloe, noticing the rosy flush on her cheeks.

“We’d better go,” she murmurs, a hint of reluctance in her voice. “Help me bring in Michael’s present?”

Carrying an eight-foot surfboard with a big red bow on it, I carefully navigate by the towering Christmas tree, festooned with ornaments my mother has collected since my childhood.

“A new soft top board? No way!” Michael’s excitement erupts as he vaults over the couch to grab it. “Thank you, guys!”

“Hey, what if that’s my present, Mike?” his father jokes. He flew in from London a few days ago, and Chloe has been overjoyed to see him for the holidays.

“We’ll get you one next year, Dad,” Chloe responds with a quick laugh, her voice cheerful.

Michael claps me on the back as I pass him the board.

“Chloe, here!” Mother calls out, offering her a wide box. “For you both,” she adds, winking at me.

I stand behind the couch opposite Chloe. She catches my eye, as though reluctant to open our joint gift without me by her side. Her hesitation is sweet, but I nod for her to go ahead. She’s sitting next to her father and their quality time is too limited as it is.

Chloe carefully removes the wrapping and slides open the box. “Oh, wow,” she murmurs, pulling out a folded navy blue blanket. There’s a gold pattern on it, but it’s unclear what it is. My mother didn’t give me any hint about her gift, although she certainly asked me enough questions about Chloe’s likes and dislikes.

Chloe stands, and I circle around to her side of the couch as she hands me one corner of the blanket. Unfolding it together, the design becomes clear—a large heart with two star signs inside—Taurus and Scorpio. At the bottom, the blanket says Liam & Chloe with a phrase underneath—Under the Stars I’ll Love You Forever.

I watch Chloe’s reaction as she reads the phrase, and I see it hit a nerve. “Oh, wow,” she repeats, emotion invading her voice this time.

I know it reminds her of her own mother and her love of astrology. My mother did really good.

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