Page 31 of Faking the Book Boyfriend

“I’m originally from Arizona. Both of my parents are still in that area. They both date but no one too serious for either of them. I just have the one sister in Connecticut, no other siblings.”

“What brought you to the East Coast?”

He shifts uncomfortably. “Work.”

“Work? Can’t you do your job anywhere?”

“I suppose I visited and liked the area. And my sister is nearby.”

“Does that mean you’re not a true Philly football fan?” I smile. “I might have to fire you as a client.”

He points to his sweatshirt, which is a Philly football sweatshirt. “I’ve been converted.”

“Phew. You can stay.”

He chuckles. “Today I’m going to work on my burgeoning book-boyfriend skills. I appreciate all the advice, and now I need to take it out for a test drive. You’re good with that, right?”

“Yes. I was thinking about it. It will be helpful for you to practice, and my mother is always on my case about getting married. It’s easier for her to think we’re dating. It’s a win-win.”

“Does she try to set you up? My mother used to do that all the time.”

“I won’t even entertain that notion. I shiver to think of the type of men she’d choose. She thinks I sit home at night on my computer writing love stories instead of living one. This will get her off my back for a little while.”

He tips his hat. “Glad to be of service, ma’am.”

I wiggle my eyebrows. “The fake dating trope is a big one. I’ve written a few books on it.”

He chuckles. “Gotcha.”

Thirty minutes later, we pull up to the address Mom gave me. It’s as ostentatious as I assumed it would be. It looks like Versailles in Paris. This guy thinks he’s French royalty. Knowing my mother, he very well might be.

As we walk to the front door, Trey takes my hand in his. It’s huge. I could fit five of my hands in his. I look down in question though I don’t pull away.

“Practice, right? You said book boyfriends are all about the constant contact and subtle touches.”

“Right. Got it. Thanks again for coming. It’s really nice of you to give up your day off.”

He smiles. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.” He sounds so genuine when he says that.

We’re introduced to a handful of people, including Byron’s daughter, Amelie. She’s an attractive blonde, a few years younger than me. She eye-fucks the shit out of Trey. I suppose I don’t blame her.

We also meet her boyfriend. He’s a good-looking guy, but he has nothing on Trey.

Byron’s friend, Andrew, stares at Trey for a long time. “Do I know you? You look very familiar.”

Trey shakes his head and turns his face away just a bit. “Not that I am aware of.”

I lean over to Trey and quietly ask, “Do you see how Amelie is staring at you like she wants to devour you?”

He turns to look at her, and she licks her lips suggestively.Verysuggestively.

“I didn’t until you mentioned it.”

I lift my eyebrow. “Already a good book boyfriend. No woman wants a man looking at other women while they’re on a date.”

“That seems like an obvious one.”

Mom fawns all over Trey. She whispers in my ear, “He’s so handsome. My grandchildren will be gorgeous.”

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