Page 24 of It's Not All Fake

“Hi Olivia,” Chloe smiles. Olivia shuffles up to Chloe and captures her in a tight embrace.

“Welcome to the family, sweetie,” my mother gushes. I’m taken aback by the suggestion that Chloe is already part of the family in my mother’s mind. Chloe shares my surprise, shooting me a terrified, questioning look over my mother’s shoulder.

I shrug and mouth “I don’t know.” I’m just as thrown off, though I feel a twinge of offense at Chloe’s frightened reaction.

“Thank you, Olivia,” Chloe says politely. My mother finally releases Chloe and gives me a proud look.

“Liam, this is just beautiful.” Mom glances around at the surroundings and then extends her arms to pull me into a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she says. When she pulls away, she claps her hands together. “Let’s eat!”

My eyes go wide, surprised by the extent of my mother’s enthusiasm, and I exchange an amused look with Chloe. I haven’t seen my mother this excited in a long time.

Mom heads for a chair at the wooden table, decorated as I’ve never seen it with a chic light blue table runner and pink cloth napkins.

“Allow me, Mom,” I say as I quicken my step to pull out her chair.

My mother shoos me away with her hand. “Save your charm for Chloe, honey. Go get her chair.”

I glance at Chloe, who freezes her motion to pull out her own chair. She gives me an unsure look. I flash her a reassuring smile as I round the table and take the back of the chair from her. I believe in old-fashioned chivalry, but I’m not practiced at it, and I can tell Chloe isn’t used to receiving it either.

“Thank you,” she says softly as I slide the chair under her.

“Of course,” I say as I take my seat, which is positioned equidistant from Chloe and my mother.

A server arrives to pour coffee and fill water glasses.

My mother looks at Chloe and me with a glimmer in her eyes. “So, tell me how you two decided to start dating. I want details.”

“Um...” Chloe looks at me for help.

“Well, Chloe just couldn’t stay professional, Mom.” I catch Chloe’s mouth dropping open in protest. “She said I was too charming and handsome.” I shrug matter-of-factly and sip my coffee.

My mother chuckles. “You certainly are, but I want a real answer, Liam.”

I sigh, trying to think. “I just…” I look at Chloe. She is watching me intently, waiting with bated breath for my response. I soften. “I felt something that I couldn’t explain,” I answer honestly, and I notice a rosy hue spread across Chloe’s cheeks before she looks away.

“And you, Chloe?” my mother asks, intent on prying out more information.

Chloe smiles nervously. “I can’t explain it either.” She glances my way. “But I knew I couldn’t be his coach anymore.”

“You felt that strongly about him?” my mother single-mindedly digs deeper. She hasn’t even touched her fresh cup of coffee.

“I do, yes.” Chloe’s eye catches mine. Her answer seems believable, and it doesn’t escape me that she answered in the present tense. She feels strongly about me. I wonder if there’s any truth in her answer, or if she’s just getting better at playing a role.

My mother sits back and smiles. Somehow, our vague answers were enough to satisfy her curiosity. “Well, don’t worry, Chloe, I won’t tell anyone about you coaching Liam before dating him,” she says seriously. “I will take your secret to the grave.”

“Don’t say that, Mom.” With her health problems over the past years, I shake my head at her choice of words.

The wait staff arrives with an impressive array of breakfast food—pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, egg scrambled, and colorful fruits of all kinds—arranged artistically on a giant board that they place in the middle of the table. Jellies and butter are in heart-shaped containers in the center, which seems fitting for the occasion.

“Liam, you really put the staff to work,” my mother praises with a smile.

Chloe looks amazed. “It’s almost too pretty to eat.”

I nod in agreement. “Almost.” I grab a couple pieces of French toast with my fork and drizzle on the syrup.

Emboldened by my example, Chloe begins filling her own plate.

“Chloe,” my mother begins as she cuts up a pancake. “I wonder if your relationship with Liam will affect our coaching.” She daintily places a forkful of food in her mouth, studying Chloe with concern as she chews. I realize I didn’t mention to my mother that she can keep her sessions with Chloe despite our dating. Understandably, she’s worried about that.

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