Page 4 of It's Not All Fake

Still, I know it is affecting him too. Lucas probably blames Michael for even introducing us.

“Look, just talk to him?” Michael asks, stealing a candy mint from the dish on the side table and popping it into his mouth.

“About?” I scoff. “Lucas is a big boy. I am not responsible for him. It didn’t work out, okay? I need something—someone—different.”

Michael stands, lips firmly pressed together in frustration. “I’m just saying, you need to talk to him. He’s not happy.” His voice softens a little now, surprisingly. “You two were so great together. At least make peace.”

He grabs his surfboard and stalks out of the room before I have a chance to respond.

Fuck.

My blood is boiling. It makes me sick that Lucas is weaponizing my brother against me. As mad as I am at Michael for siding with Lucas, I understand how easy it is to get sucked in by Lucas and believe his version of reality.

My eyes drift to the ocean once more. The sun has disappeared, and the sky is vibrant streaks of red and blue. I can see the Ferris wheel is lit up brightly now on the Santa Monica Pier.

I stare at the spinning Ferris wheel lights, hoping it will hypnotize me to forget the last ten minutes. I exhale slowly, trying to calm down.

I need to be on my game when Liam arrives any moment now.

Liam is influential and he has the power to help or hurt my professional reputation. Unfortunately, we are off to a shaky start. Most clients seek me out, not agree out of obligation to their mother.

But Liam’s workaholism is familiar territory. I’ve witnessed it in past relationships—up before dawn, home after dark—constantly needing to finish one last task. I was invisible.

I could never be someone like that again. No self-respecting woman could. Which is why I fully intend to radically alter Liam’s views. I told him I’d stake my career on it, and I will. I just have to help him take that first step, and it may be a doozie.

I glance around the room, giving it a last look before Liam arrives. I notice there is a puddle by the door from Michael’s surfboard, soaking into the stack of moving boxes against the wall.

Shit.

I need to pack up and be out of here in a couple weeks. I love this office space, but I can’t afford the rent anymore since Lucas and I split up the business. Even with Liam as a new, full-price client, it won’t cut it in time.

I rummage through desk drawers until I find a roll of paper towels. As I hurry over to the wet spot, I realize it’s never-ending—the mess in my life.

I’d much rather focus on other people’s messes.

Liam will be a good distraction. He views his life as tidy, but I intend to shine a light on the cobwebs.

CHAPTER THREE

LIAM

The elevator doors slide open, and I’m greeted by the sight of Chloe on her hands and knees in an office doorway.

This is not the hello I expected.

She looks up at me, her cheeks instantly blooming bright red.

“Liam!” she exclaims, her voice tinged with the panic of being found in disarray. She quickly gathers up a sopping wet mess of paper towels.

There’s a small seating area near the elevators but no receptionist. Chloe’s office is directly across from the elevator doors and, in only a couple steps, I’m standing in front of her.

“Hello, Chloe,” I smile, amused as I extend a hand. She slides her hand into mine, and I help pull her to her feet. But the motion is too quick, given the tight fit of her skirt and her precarious high heels. She loses her balance and stumbles into me.

As I catch her, the wet paper towel in her other hand squishes between us.

“Oh, fuck, I’m sorry!” Chloe exclaims as I help her recover her footing. Her hand flies to cover her mouth, her cheeks burning even brighter. She peels away from me, leaving a damp spot on my light blue button-down shirt that clings to my abdomen.

I chuckle. I hadn’t expected her to be so… human. If this is part of her shtick to put me at ease, she’s good. I catch the delicate fragrance of her lavender-scented shampoo, the sweet essence lingering in the air, and I’m not sorry at all for our momentary close encounter.

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