Page 28 of It's Not All Fake

Plenty of people want to kiss their shrinks, right?

But it wouldn’t be fair to Chloe to blur the lines even further. At the end of the day, this is a business arrangement.

I can’t cross the line, no matter how much I want to.

CHAPTER TEN

CHLOE

Pajamas, ponytails, wine, and chick flicks—exactly what I need tonight.

Ashley and I have this tradition of movie night every so often that includes drinking and girl talk. After my time with Liam, I really need it. Tonight, I’m hosting in my tiny one-bedroom Santa Monica apartment that costs more than a five-bedroom home in Texas.

I set a bowl of popcorn on the couch between us and pull a blanket over my lap.

“So, is he as big of a jerk as the media portrays him?” Ashley pops a handful of popcorn in her mouth and smiles teasingly. Immediately, her judgy comment makes me wonder if girls’ night will be as relaxing as I thought.

“No, of course not.” I shrug it off. “He’s actually really sweet. We had breakfast yesterday and he bought me a whole garden of flowers.” I grow warm at the memory, and the other memories… his embrace, his hand on my cheek, the way I want to melt under the gaze of his deep brown eyes.

Ashley pauses before putting another fistful of popcorn in her mouth. “You really like him!”

“Yeah, I do,” I tell her honestly, though it worries me how much I do like him. I’m setting myself up for a hard fall. This is a professional arrangement, after all.

“Dating a celebrity must be good for your business too. You’re not moving out to Culver City anymore, right?” She refills her wine glass.

“Yeah, I’m managing to pay the bills now.” More than managing. The influx of cash in my account is overwhelming. But I’m hesitant to spend it—what if this doesn’t work out? I don’t want to be indebted to Liam. I paid the next couple months’ rent for my office but haven’t touched a cent more.

“So, you got new clients that fast? It’s only been a few days since you guys went public.” Ashley eyes me, realizing something isn’t adding up. She knew the hole I was in. It’s not something that can be fixed that quickly. Unless you happen to be fake dating a billionaire for money, of course.

“Yes, well he’s investing…” I let the words hang in the air, unsure how to fully explain the way money exchanged hands. I change the subject, hoping to move on. “He’s such a workaholic, though. He’s already rescheduling dates with me,” I say dramatically, hoping to catch her interest in a different topic.

The rescheduling part isn’t a lie. Liam and I were supposed to meet tonight for our “girlfriend-boyfriend chat.” When we parted ways earlier this week after breakfast with Olivia, that was the plan. But he texted me this morning to say he needed to reschedule because something came up with work. I wonder how true that is. My gut says he’s avoiding, not that I can blame him. I felt some relief that I wouldn’t have to navigate the complicated feelings that I have around him so soon.

“Wait, so he’s investing… financially?” Ashley looks at me, her forehead all crinkled up.

“I—uh, no. I mean…” I feel panicked like a deer in headlights.

“He’s dating you and giving you money too? That sounds weird.” She’s prying, and I’m too tipsy to come up with anything fast enough.

I accidentally blurt out, “We’re not really dating.” As the words march off my tongue, I feel a wave of shame.

“What!” Ashley’s eyes grow wide. “Oh my God—dish!” Facing me directly on the couch, she scoots closer.

I cover my face with my hands and sigh. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Chloe Middleton, tell me what the hell is going on.” Her words are stern, but I can hear that they are said through a grin. I drop my hands and see that she’s watching me intently, munching a handful of popcorn, like I’m the entertainment tonight.

“Okay, so, no details, but he’s paying me to pretend I’m his girlfriend. That’s really all I can say. He has his reasons, and the money is helping dig me out of the hole.” I pull the throw pillow out from behind my back and hug it to my chest.

“Oh fuck… This isn’t good.” She shakes her head at me.

“What?”

“The way you’re talking about him. This isn’t fake, Chloe. You’ve caught feelings.” Ashley sets the bowl of popcorn to the side and picks up her wine, emptying the glass into her mouth before refilling it and topping mine off.

I know she’s right. I’m definitely feeling things for Liam. I suppose I can like him, care about him. But I can’t let myself fall for him, which I’m afraid is happening. And it can’t happen. Not with the arrangement we have. There is no contract for what we have going, but if there were, there would most certainly be a “no love” clause.

“Drink,” she orders.

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