Page 12 of Don't Fall For Your Fake Boyfriend

He raises a brow. “Can you?”

And as I sit here and stare at Lake, I ask myself, “What was I thinking dating this loser?”

Even now as we sit here, he still views me as some weak woman who can’t take care of herself. Little does he know, I am doing just fine on my own. When Lake cheated on me I felt like my world crashed and burned. I was so hurt. I was so heartbroken, but now, as I study his sharp angles and scarily-blue eyes, I feel nothing for the man.

He’s my past, and I don’t know what my future holds, but I know it’s not him.

I swallow my glass of wine in one quick gulp. “Well, I’m off to find my boyfriend and give him some much needed hanky panky.”

Oh god, I can’t believe I just said that. Hanky Panky? Who says things like that?

My cheeks flame red-hot as I rush away from the bar, heading back to the Excalibur, and into the room I share with Brock.

Of course, he’s passed out.

And oh no, he’s snoring.

The next morning I’m out of the hotel room before Brock has even had a chance to wake up. I meet the girls down at the breakfast buffet and smile at Anya, who stops me before I join the others.

“Seriously. I let shit slide last night because we were in a group, but you didn’t even tell me you were dating my brother.” She parks a hand on her hip. “You two hate each other.”

“I know. I know.” I glance over at the table where Hartford, Paxton’s mother, Carol, Hartford’s mother, Grace, and Hartford’s cousins’ wives, Clara, Emma, and Shayne, along with Shepherd’s girlfriend, Felicity, are sitting. “Maybe we should join the others.”

Hartford waves a hand in the air. “Over here,” she yells across the restaurant.

“We can discuss this later.” I make my way over to the table, saying hello to the women I barely know, and sit between Anya and Hartford.

“I’m mad at you,” Hartford says with a little nudge. “Carol, did you know Brock and Willow are dating?”

Carol’s eyes widen. “I think it’s lovely. I’ve been hoping he meets somebody new.”

I blush. “It’s all very new.”

“What about Lake?” Carol asks me.

I pour a glass of orange juice from the carafe on the table. “We broke up a few weeks ago,” I say, trying my best to change the subject. I need to escape. I grab my plate with both hands and stand back up, abruptly. “I’m going to hit the buffet,” I spill out in a rush, and beeline across the restaurant toward the buffet.

I study the contents of the buffet. It's a feast for the senses. There are freshly baked croissants, buttery and golden brown, and an assortment of pastries filled with creams and fruits. A platter of smoked salmon is elegantly arranged next to a variety of cheeses and cold cuts. The salad station offers fresh greens, roasted vegetables, and a selection of dressings. There's a carving station with a chef slicing succulent roast beef and honey-glazed ham. Bowls of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables sit nearby. The dessert section tempts with miniature cakes, tarts, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

“Think you could slip away that easily?” Hartford asks.

She stands next to Anya, and they both assess me with their questioning gazes.

I breathe out an exasperated sigh. I should just tell them the truth, but I can’t. I can’t let anyone know the truth. That was the deal with Brock. “Look, it all happened so fast.”

“What about Lake? What if he asked you to get back together?” Anya asks. “I saw the way he was watching you last night.”

“Yeah, like he regretted every decision he’s ever made.” Hartford grabs a croissant and plops it onto her plate. “Would you take him back?”

“What?” My eyes grow as big as saucers. “No, never.” I can’t help it if it doesn’t make me beam on the inside that Lake looked upset, but I don’t want him back. “Look, what Lake did to me hurt me really badly.”

“Yeah, you need time to heal,” Anya offers.

“I know. And this thing with Brock isn’t serious. It’s something fun.”

“Like a rebound?” Hartford asks.

I shake my head, not wanting her to think I’m using Brock in any way. “No, not like a rebound. Just something fun and new. I realized last night, I don’t love Lake. Honestly, I’m not sure if I ever even did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to flaunt Brock in front of him. It also doesn’t mean I don’t want to make him jealous. Because I do.”

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