Page 23 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

“I’ve got a feeling you didn’t eat,” I say, studying her face, and a chuckle slips from my throat. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say our manager may have even had somefunlast night.”

She narrows her eyes at me and points a finger. “Stop, Drummer Boy.”

My eyebrows quirk at the nickname and I keep my mouth shut, aside from the smirk lifting at one corner of it. “Which is even more of a reason to go for some breakfast. I hear there’s a great place next door.”

She runs a hand through her messy hair, sighing heavily. “This is such a mess. I need to think, to figure out how to handle this.” Her eyes meet mine, a mix of frustration and resignation in them. “I suppose you have some ideas?”

I lean against the doorframe, studying her. “The whole world thinks we’re engaged, Sunshine. Whatever happens next, we will face this together.”

She winces, whether from my words or her headache, I’m not sure. “Oh, God. Mia wouldn’t shut up about it last night.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

Carmen rolls her eyes. “Later. Much, much later. When my head isn’t trying to split open.”

We’ve spent the last few days being cozier with each other. It’s nice to have that harsh tone back.

“Besides, I want to thank you properly for helping me, and there’s no time like the present.”

“No, absolutely not,”she glares.

I arch a brow and lean forward. “Come on, Sunshine,” I say sweetly, “you don’t even know what I’ve got planned.”

She rolls her eyes and huffs in annoyance. “Still, no.”

“We have to come up with a good story, you know? This is everywhere.”

That gets her attention, her eyes snapping to mine, and she narrows them. “If you weren’t reckless when we went out, there wouldn’t be a need for a story.” She shakes her head and groans. “How the hell are we supposed to split right after I met your parents?”

She’s got a point there. “More of a reason to spend a day with me.”

“You are insufferable,” she mutters. “I guess if you’re already here, and refusing to leave, you may as well come in.”

With that, she pulls the door open and waves me inside. “Well, thank you.”

“Whatever. Let me get dressed and stay the hell out of my stuff.”

The apartment is dimly lit, with shadows stretching across the floor. The curtains are drawn, and there’s an empty wine glass on the coffee table. It’s the most un-Carmen-like I’ve ever seen her. The contrast between this and her usual buttoned-up self throws me, but it also makes her feel more real, more reachable.

Thirty minutes later, as I’m whistling to myself, Carmen steps into the entryway with her auburn hair hanging loosely down her back. She halts her movements as I stare at her, the tired and hungover look long gone from her features, and she pops her hips out.

“What?”

I shake my head and smile. “Nothin’ at all, Sunshine. Ready for a nice day? Would do you some good to give that working brain a good break, don’t you think, and make the best of it?”

She mumbles something I don’t hear under breath as she heads for the front door and nods her head toward the opening as if telling me to get the hell out of her home.

Yeah, I definitely missed her harshness just a little.

***

We managed to slip out a back entrance, dodging the paparazzi camped outside. Breakfast was a quiet affair, Carmen nursingher coffee like a lifeline. But now, as we stroll down the crowded sidewalk, the city’s energy seems to be working its magic on her. The laughter and chatter around us grow, matching the festive atmosphere.

Carmen tugs a fuzzy-topped hat over her ears, looking more like herself with each passing minute. Despite her initial reluctance, I can see Carmen starting to relax. The tension in her shoulders eases slightly, and there’s a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. I can’t help but wonder what else happened during that girls’ night out. What secrets did they share? What did they say about me?

I shake off the thought. Focus, Donny. We’ve got a fake engagement to figure out.

Carmen glances around and shivers slightly, a frown on her face. I’m about to suggest we do something inside when I notice her eyes brighten at something ahead — the ice skating rink. As we walk, I can see the gears turning in Carmen’s head. She needs a distraction, something to clear her mind before we dive into planning.

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