Page 32 of Just My Fake Husband

“I’m not capable of sitting around, I’ll be helping my family and freelancing. I’ll also be working on getting new clients. You probably won’t even see me that much.”

I don’t know why that comment agitates me, but it does.

I toggle my computer awake and get into my email. “I’m sending you some stuff I came up with, like you asked me to before. I did a reputation assessment and provided you with a write-up on that. The TL;DR is basically that there’s been some mention of you getting fired and some Reddit threads talking about your unsavory choices. But it’s nothing we can’t handle.I’m including a crisis management strategy and some messaging development ideas.”

His brows go in the air. “I wasn’t aware you were still going to work on this from a PR perspective.”

My mouth makes a noise of surprise. “I couldn’t leave it alone. It’s like a scab that’s half torn off. I have to rip off the rest.”

“That’s disgusting.”

I put my pointer finger in the air. “But accurate.”

He opens his mouth to say something more right as there’s a knock at my door. Gabriel moves to get it.

“I can answer my own—”

But before I can finish, there’s a chuff of a laugh and so much back slapping and bro hugging that I totally forget what I was saying.

While still in their embrace, the newcomer laughs, and that’s when I catch a glimpse of his youthful olive skin and dark surfer hair. “I figured you’d be here,” he says.

“This has to be Milo,” I say, and I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. The brotherly connection is charming.

Until they start to scuffle and it ends with Milo on the floor and Gabriel sitting on top of him, pinning his shoulders down.

Okay . . . “This is juvenile.”

“Just reminding my college grad baby brother who’s still in charge.” Gabriel says through gritted teeth. His face is turning red. “And feel free to call him ‘Lolo.’”

“Please don’t,” Milo eeks out, a very broad and solid Gabriel cutting off his air supply. “And you’re not in charge.” He labors over a breath. “That would be Sebastian.”

“Congrats on your graduation,” I offer.

“Thanks,” Milo manages. “It was in May, but I’ve been doing an internship.”

Gabriel stands and pulls Milo up with him. Their hair is mussed. In all the ways that Gabriel is lighter complected, Milois the opposite, with dark hair like a Disney prince. All combine to give him the confident air of being young and a Tate.

“I hadn’t heard you’d be coming back to Colorado.” Gabriel straightens Milo’s black T-shirt, and the movement is surprisingly tender. I have to look away.

“Had to be here for the whole thing, you know.”

I don’t know what he’s talking about, but somehow his words kick me into gear, and I remember I’m supposed to be pretending I'm in love with Gabriel. I sidle up next to him and ease my hand into his. Gabriel startles lightly at first, and then flicks a grateful look in my direction.

“You really don’t,” Gabriel says to Milo. “But I’m glad to see you. Have you seen everyone else?”

“Not yet. Sebastian’s probably too deep in his work, so I’ll find the others.”

“Elianna’s got his priorities straightened out,” Gabriel says. “But he still works a lot. And you passed Alec’s office, so I’m surprised you didn’t see him.” He cranks his neck to see me better. “River, thisismy youngest brother, Milo. And Milo, this is River, Sebastian’s PR rep.”

“Director of PR.” I can’t help it.

He nods and grins. “Nice to meet you.” He’s all boyish and sweet. He looks pointedly at our still intertwined hands but doesn’t comment.

“I know all the Tate siblings now,” I say.

“Now you just have to meet the parents.” Milo’s voice is jubilant. “And lucky for you, they’ll be here tomorrow night. Mom wants to throw a little party in my honor, and they figured they’d come up here to Longdale instead of asking everyone to drive down.”

Tomorrow? I’m meeting Thomas and Celine Tate tomorrow?

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