Page 24 of Faking It with my Small Town Billionaire

“I think Jasmine can handle things for one day. You don’t open on Sundays. And I don’t want you worrying about the trip. Let me deal with that.”

10

Lily

When Orson drops me back off at the bakery after our trip to the city, Jasmine can’t help but ask about it. Her eyes are twinkling with curiosity when she says, “Well, are you going to tell me where the delightful Mr. Donovan whisked you off to in such a hurry?”

“Orson and I are now dating,” I say, trying to look as excited as I should.

“Oh, my Lord,” Jasmine squeals, throwing her arms around me and hugging me so tight I struggle for air.

When she finally releases me, she goes on, “Didn’t I tell you he liked you? You didn’t believe me, but I knew it.”

On the journey back from the city, I tried to come to terms with the fact that I was going to have to lie to everybody. It was as I was thinking about it that I wondered how long this marriage would have to last. When I asked Orson, his reply gave me some consolation.

“Once they sign my inheritance over to me, Lily, it will all be over. My birthday is in four months. After that, you’re free.”

Four months might not seem like a long time to a lot of people, but for someone who rarely lies like me, it’s going to feel like a lifetime.

“You did, Jasmine,” I say. “And you were right.”

“So, where did he take you?” Her delight is nearly palpable.

Another lie spills out of my mouth. “He took me to a beautiful restaurant in the city and asked me over a late lunch.”

Jasmine quivers with excitement for me while I stand here feeling like a complete fraud. But then I remind myself why I am doing this.

This is going to save the bakery and Jasmine’s job. You’re not hurting anybody.

That makes me feel a little better, and I grin, trying to ease myself into the role.

My colleague is as excited and delighted when Orson arrives the following evening to take me out again. Remembering our agreement to play our parts in public, I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. I think it’s the right thing to do until I see Orson’s face.

His eyes are as wide as saucers, and the skin on his cheeks reddens.

“Oh, Lily!” Jasmine chuckles. “You’ve embarrassed the poor man.”

Had I? But looking at his reaction, it’s obvious that Jasmine’s deductions are correct.

I gasp, feeling like a complete idiot. “I’m so sor—”

“It’s fine,” he says, seeming to regain his composure. And with a quick smile in Jasmine’s direction, he takes my hand and leads me out of the bakery.

Eyes follow us as we walk down the main street of the town. While I know that is the whole point of this charade, it’s now my turn to feel embarrassed as heat rushes to my cheeks. It’s our first outing as a couple. I only hope things are going to feel easier as time goes on.

“I thought we agreed to hold hands?” Orson says after some time.

“And we are.” I lift our hands up as if I need to show him.

“And the kiss on the cheek?” He looks down at me, smirking.

“I thought it would sell it better to Jasmine. Did I do something wrong?”

Orson chuckles. “You worry too much, Lily.”

Over the next few days, word spreads like wildfire, and the regular customers who call into the bakery make a point of mentioning it. Most of them are kind comments, but when I see Cindy enter with her mouth cemented into a snarl, I know I’m going to hear something I won’t like.

“So, are you hoping he’ll save your bakery first if you get into his pants?” she quips once she’s paid for her goods. She tries really hard to make her remark sound lighthearted, but it was clearly a jibe.

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