Page 46 of The Fake Family Deal

“They did a really good job, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

Under the table, I clench my fists. This is what I’m reduced to? One-word answers in a meaningless conversation? I can’t think of anything else to say, so I don’t, and we sit in awkward silence for a while.

Eventually, he realizes we’re meant to be here to eat, and says, “Get whatever you want. It’s on me.”

“You don’t need to do that,” I say.

“It’s a thank-you lunch. Ihaveto buy it.”

I bite my tongue to stop myself saying,I don’t want a thank-you or a pity meal. I want you.

“Actually,” he says, seeming to perk up. I breathe out. Finally, maybe he’s remembering what he’s here for.

He seems to have a knack for this, for stringing me along, making me confused about what he really thinks or wants, but then revealing himself to be tender and caring after all. Thefantasy I had been having about this lunch was never how it was going to go.

I had been imagining flowers, a kiss on the cheek, a compliment. All the things I would call romantic. And from anyone else, I’d probably have received all that, but by now I should know, Ellis isn’t like that. Of course he was going to be dumb and awkward about this. He’s barely a romantic at all.

It’s part of his charm.

“Before I forget, I have something for you.” He reaches for his bag, and my heart flips in my chest. Stupid me, making all this fuss. He does care. Enough to get me a gift, anyway.

Or at least that’s what I think until he pulls out a thin piece of paper and slides it across the table.

I stare at it. “What’s this?”

“A check,” he says, like I’m stupid.

I stare at it for a long second. My face heats up as I try to comprehend what’s going on.

A check? So much for romance, the Ellis way or not.

“I can see that!” I say. “What’s it for?” The floor starts crumbling underneath me as my mind spirals, making me feel like I’m falling into a deep, dark abyss. Was all this about business after all?

“You. It’s the last of what I owe you, for the show. It should cover any royalties we get for it, but if we get more I’m happy to spilt more profits with you?—”

I cut him off. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“No, I mean, are you serious? This is what you’re giving me? After three weeks of nothing?”

“I don’t understand,” he says with that once-endearing crinkle of confusion. “I’m giving you money.”

“Oh, my God, Ellis!” I snap, unable to hold back the anger anymore. “You don’t understand people at all, do you? I didn’t want to come here for lunch or for money. I came here to seeyou. Because I thought we were building something together. I thought that finally I’d broken through to the human being inside you who could actuallycareabout other people.”

He gawps at me, his eyes wide in surprise, and I can feel my own stinging with bitter tears. He says nothing, so I continue, the words spilling out of me like lava.

“When we were filming, you made me feel so special. I thought we had a connection. I thought Imeantsomething to you. But clearly, you haven’t had a single thought of me in three weeks. Every day, I’ve been waiting for you, and you just don’t want to know, do you? I’m sorry I ever got involved.”

I jump to my feet, my chair scraping across the floor like it’s about to fall, and I snatch up the check. If I was being really dramatic, I’d throw it back in his face, and it’s not like I truly need it anymore, but I take it anyway. I don’t want him to take anything else from me today.

“You know what?” I spit as I scramble to get my bag. “Screw you. Thanks for the money. You’ve given me and my daughter a great life, and I’m grateful for that. But don’t think you’re going to hear from me again. You will never see me or Lila again, I swear.”

I’m certain that everyone’s eyes are on us now, but I’m too upset to care. So what if they recognize me and think I’m Ellis’s crazy wife? So what if they start throwing rumors around that he’s paid me to be on the show? It’s not like it’s a lie.

And hey, it’s just like he said — no publicity is bad publicity.

---