Page 54 of Faking It with my Small Town Billionaire

Can’t wait to give you a big sloppy kiss the next time I see you. Love, Charlotte.

Wait! What?

My stomach drops at the same time as my jaw, and a cold feeling rushes through my entire body, like my veins are filled with ice. For a whole moment, I can’t take it in. It doesn’t make any sense, and yet, it’s there in black and white.

While I’ve been staying up night after night with my mother, Orson has clearly been making connections in my absence.

And then the rage comes. Maybe it’s based in the fears I had about this relationship to start with. Maybe I’m more angry with myself for taking a chance with my heart. It doesn’t matter. I’m angry.

Slamming my glass down on the desk, I tear a piece of paper out of the notebook and scribble a message. Leaving it on the keyboard of his laptop where he’s bound to see it, I then storm to my room and get dressed.

21

Orson

“Hi, honey, I’m home,” I call out with a grin, closing the front door behind me.

Lily texted me earlier with the news about her mom. The doctors changed her medication, and Mrs. Harper was able to return to the nursing home where she currently resides.

While I was pleased by that news and the fact that her mom had received the medical care she needed and was now well, I was far more delighted to learn that Lily was returning home. Because to me, that’s what this apartment is for us, even though our marriage is a sham.

This apartment is the place where I’ve learned the most about Lily as a person. The place I see her the most. The place I now look forward to being. Over the last few days, it’s felt pretty empty without her. I know we both work crazy hours sometimes, but even when I don’t see her, I’m aware that she’s here, which I know sounds mushy, but I don’t care.

The plain and simple fact is, I’ve missed her.

When her text came through, I was in the office, but knowing she was on the way home, I finished early and went to the store for wine. I’m also wielding a huge pizza, which smelled delicious sitting in the passenger seat of my car, and a box of chocolates. I have a notion that after the sleepless nights and the long days at her mom’s bedside, she’ll be exhausted and in the mood for comfort food.

As busy as my day has been, I have every intention of taking care of her this evening. The last time I was at the hospital, she looked wiped, as beautiful as she is. It also looked like she was the pillar that kept the three sisters upbeat. Ellie was pretty emotional, and Martha, even though she’s the oldest, seemed worried, as well she might. But Lily always had a smile, and with her witty sense of humor, she seemed to be the breath of fresh air they all needed.

But it’s taken its toll on her. Beneath her façade, I know she was worried, too. Now, she needs someone to take care of her. That would be me.

I’m a bit surprised when I don’t hear her call back. Maybe she’s in the shower, or she might have even crawled into bed for some much-needed sleep. I head into the kitchen, put the wine in the fridge, and leave the pizza and chocolates on the counter. Then I switch on the coffee machine.

I figure I can keep myself busy until she shows her face. There are still some emails that I told myself I’d send when I got back here, so after pouring my coffee, I head to my office space.

Reaching my desk, I see a scribbled note sitting on the keyboard of my open laptop. I smile.

What’s she up to now?

But the smile drops from my face the moment I read the words.

Have a great life with Charlotte!

“What?”

For a second, I’m completely confused. What the heck did she mean by that?

And then, slowly, my mind works through the fact that she left the note on my computer. My emails sit there, glaring up at me. Has she seen something? At first glance, I’m still confused, but as I scroll down the page, I finally find an email from Charlie Wells. It’s been opened and read. I scan the email and catch the last line.

“Oh, Lord.”

“Lily?” I call out, hurriedly moving through the apartment. “Lily, are you here?”

The only reply I get is a deathly silence, and I begin to worry. I stride down the hallway until I reach her bedroom door. I thump my fist on it. “Lily, are you in there?”

Still no answer. I’m about to open the door when I hesitate.

What if she’s in the shower? What if she’s undressed and I barge in?

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