Page 42 of The Fake Date Deal

“Come with me and find out.”

“Is this the huge thing you were talking about, that would save me on socials?”

“Maybe.” He took my hands and pulled me to my feet. “It’ll be fun, I promise. No weirdos. No press.”

I wanted to push some more, make him cough up the details. But he was grabbing his jacket.

“Come on. We’ll be late.”

I hurried after him, stepping into my sandals. His excitement was infectious, and my own spirits rose. Still, my curiosity wouldn’t let me rest.

“How will we go viral if there won’t be any press?”

“You’ll see.” He smirked.

“No, not ‘you’ll see.’”

He pushed the elevator button and we got on. I opened my mouth to grill him some more, but Marco closed it with a deep kiss. My head was still spinning when we got in his car, and before I knew it, we were leaving the city.

“Is it another picnic?”

“Why, are you hungry?”

“Not really, but is it?”

Marco just smiled. He drove us into the mountains, up a long, winding road. I watched the scenery flash by in growing confusion, but however I prodded, Marco kept his secrets.

“Give me a hint, at least.”

“We’re almost there.”

Up ahead, the road widened on a tiny village. Marco slowed, turned off, and I spotted a roadblock. Beyond it, the street had been mostly cleared out, and what looked like a movie crew was getting set up. Marco pulled up beside them.

“Marco? What is this?”

“You’re about to find out.”

“Are they shooting a movie here?”

Marco tipped me a wink, then stepped out of the car. He opened my door for me, but I sat, unsure. I trusted Marco, but this was a lot: huge lights on dollies. Giant reflectors. Cameras, microphones, trailers parked in the street. Whatever was happening here, it was no joke.

“Marco, I?—”

Two men were approaching, but Marco waved them back. He stooped till our eyes met, crouched on one knee.

“Hey. You okay?”

“What’s going on?”

Marco glanced up the street, at a tiny café. A tight ring of cameras circled its terrace. “It’s best if you come out and see for yourself. I promise we’ll go straight back if you don’t like it. But I think you will. Do you trust me?”

I looked into his dark eyes and saw childlike excitement. A kid on Christmas, ready for presents. He couldn’t wait to surprise me, but my heart was pounding. I had the same feeling I’d had the day of my wedding, that I was about to do something that would change my life. Something I wasn’t ready for. The only difference was, this time I thought I might want it.

“Hey. Do you trust me?” Marco held out his hand.

I took it. “I do.”

He helped me out of the car, and I stood blinking in the bright light. The two men from before jogged up again. This time, Marco let them, and one shook his hand. The other reached for mine, and I let him shake it.

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