Page 18 of Faking the Book Boyfriend

Wait. I think I just heard him inhale. Did he just smell me too?

We make our way to the back and sit across from one another at a small table. He exhales a deep breath while running his fingers through his hair. “I owe you an apology. He was being disrespectful to you, and I snapped. It’s completely out of character for me to act like that. I’m not a violent person. I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t scare you.”

I can’t help the small twinge of disappointment that I experience. And then I’m surprised I feel that way. I’ve never witnessed a fight, let alone one over me. It wasn’t really a fight. More like a strong man demoralizing a weak one. Well, I suppose I helped demoralize him too, but he was an asshole and deserved it.

I nonetheless force a smile. “It’s okay. You were well-intended. Why don’t we grab you a drink and start over?”

And I need a minute to figure out what he’s doing here. I’m confused. This man doesn’t need my services.

He nods. “Thank you. I’d like that.”

He motions for the waitress, who appears immediately, which is not at all surprising for a guy like Trey. He orders a beer while I down a few large gulps of my vodka martini.

I take in his entire appearance. He’s in jeans that hug what appear to be extremely muscular thighs. His black sweater does little to disguise his broad chest and muscles. His hair is thick and wavy. He’s extremely tall. The whole package is perfection. He belongs on the cover of one of my books.

After he orders, he looks at me with his piercing blue eyes. “I’m going to assume your name isn’t Tami Maida. What’s your real name?”

I can’t help but smile. “I’ve been writing for nearly three years. You’re the first person to ever connect the dots on my pen name without me having to explain it to them.”

He smirks. “I have a sister. She must have watched the movieQuarterback Princessa thousand times when we were kids. It’s a classic. Did you know that it’s loosely based on a true story?”

Quarterback Princessis a movie about a girl, Tami Maida, who leads her high school’s football team as the star quarterback and is also the prom queen.

“Of course I do. I was the only girl on my high school’s football team. I was the kicker though, not the quarterback. Though I did get to play quarterback for two plays at the end of the season.” I mock blow my fingernails. “I don’t mean to brag, but I do have one completion for eighteen yards on my resumé.”

His eyes widen in shock. “Really? I wouldn’t have guessed that about you.”

“Why not?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure. You’re kind of…girly.”

I giggle. “They’re not mutually exclusive. You can be both.”

He humbly nods, knowing he’s been busted for judging this book by its cover. “I suppose you can. Lesson learned, thoughI’m going to assume you were also the prom queen. I know I’m not wrong about that one.”

The corners of my mouth raise in amusement. “I was. And my real name is Gemma Fairchild. I’m an attorney.”

He pinches his thick eyebrows together. “I thought that you’re an author?”

“Being an author doesn’t pay the bills. In fact, it adds to them. It’s more of a labor of love. A hobby.” I hold out my hand to shake his. “It’s nice to meet you, Trey Donatucci.”

He flinches for a brief moment before taking my hand in his enormous and calloused one. It occurs to me that I’ve never been touched by a man with calloused hands. It’s unexpectedly appealing and sexy as hell.

He continues to hold my hand in his. “That’s a pretty name for a pretty lady.”

I smile as I slowly, and begrudgingly, pull my hand away. “Thank you, but aren’tIsupposed to be the one teachingyouhow to flirt properly? You seem pretty good at it already.”

He gives me a boyish grin before he rubs his scruff with his fingers. “I suppose you're right.” He makes a show of zipping his lips and throwing away the imaginary key. “Pretend I’m a blank canvas. Teach me, Master Gemma.”

I laugh as I pull out my notebook and pen, suddenly intrigued by this whole bizarre situation. “Why don’t we get to business? I read your application and know a little background from it…but tell me why a man like you reached out to me.”

His eyes are playful. “I think I wrote that on my application.”

“You did, and it was very clever. It certainly caught my eye. But what’s the real reason? You’re a…good-looking guy, Trey. I’m sure you don’t have trouble finding women.”

“I don’t want any woman. I want the right one.”

“What does the right one look like?”

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