Page 21 of It's Not All Fake

Then I remember the existence of my primitive, pleasure-seeking brain. Is helping him really all I’ve wanted to do to him?

I almost laugh at the obvious answer. No, I’ve wanted to rip his clothes off. I’ve had my own “stuff” driving my interactions with him.

He has his own “stuff” too—his fears about unfaithfulness and betrayal that he projected onto me.

It’s just one more reason why things need to stay professional, I realize.

My phone lights up in my lap and I glance down at a text message from Liam.

I’m sorry, Chloe. I’ll do better tomorrow

I soften, a warmth spreading over me.

Maybe he is trying. But it doesn’t change anything. As I stare out the window at the blur of city lights going by, I vow to focus on the job and get into character tomorrow.

After all, we have a big scene coming up.

CHAPTER NINE

LIAM

Liam Wright Dates New Girlfriend! Who Is She?

I set the iPad on the table in front of my mother, who is sitting on the veranda sipping a cup of coffee. The sun has just risen over the hills, but the air is already warm. I’m glad I chose to wear shorts with a white linen button-up so I don’t sweat through my clothes. This morning is stressful enough.

Surprised, my mother picks up the tablet. I figure the tabloid article on the iPad will do some of the talking for me and serve as initial “proof” of this new development in my life.

She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as she studies the happy picture of Chloe and me grinning at the camera, my arm around her waist. There were other articles, but many had pictures of our make out session, and a couple called our relationship into question with photos of Chloe talking to Patrick. As I had expected.

This entertainment news article was the most PG and mother appropriate.

I stand grasping the back of the chair beside my mother’s, watching her scroll through the article. It talks about Chloe’s profession and how we “met online,” though my mother will know that part is a lie. I notice my nervousness as she studies this information, and I’m not sure why.

After a moment, Mom looks up at me with wide eyes. “Is this real, Liam?”

I don’t like lying to my mother, but this was the plan. I nod my head. “We’re together.”

My mother’s mouth is open, disbelieving, though I see a quiver of hope turning up her lips as she processes the news. Then she frowns. “Why does it say you met online?”

“Well,” I take the seat next to her. “We couldn’t tell people that we met through life coaching.”

Her brow lines deepen, and I take her hand.

“Mom, it wouldn’t look good for Chloe if people knew she was my life coach before we started dating. It’d be bad for her professional reputation,” I explain.

My mother nods softly. “I understand.” She smiles slyly. “My lips are sealed, don’t worry.”

I smile back, overjoyed to see her full of energy about the news.

A couple of delivery people walk out towards us with huge flower arrangements.

“What’s all this?” my mother looks at me, bewildered.

“Chloe’s going to join us for breakfast.” I glance at my wristwatch, realizing it’s later than I thought. “Soon. And I was a bit of a jerk to her last night, so I got her some flowers.”

More delivery people file in, each carrying flower arrangements. It looks like a parade.

“Oh, Liam!” my mother claps her hands together, delighted at the sight. Her eyes look watery with a glimmer of happy tears. She pulls me into a big hug. “I’m so happy for you and Chloe. She is amazing.”

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