Page 30 of The Fake Play

“Yeah, yeah. I'm only doing this if Whitney agrees to it, not because of your puppy dog eyes and your charm.”

“Hey, don't underestimate the power of these eyes. They've gotten me out of plenty of rough spots.”

I can’t hide my smile. He can be such a cute smart ass. There’s a new kind of tension between us, humming just beneath the surface. For the first time in a very long time, I feel vulnerable but in a good way. Like if I fall, I know he'll catch me.

It’s been so long since I’ve opened up to anyone, it feels strange to be doing it.

He steps closer. “I’m not taking this lightly, Keke. I wouldn't ask you to do it if I didn't think it could work. And if it does work, I owe you forever.”

I search his eyes for a hint of a joke or a smile, but there’s nothing there but earnestness. “You don't owe me anything. This is my job, Luke. If this is what it takes, then this is what I do. Just…” We’re having a good moment and I don’t want to wreck it, but I have to say what’s on my mind because we need to lay down some rules. “Don't make a fool out of me, alright?”

He reaches out, laying his hand on my shoulder. His thumb brushes my collarbone, lingering there for a second too long. I feel a spark I hadn't expected. Staring deep into my eyes, he murmurs, “I wouldn't dream of it.”

“Good, because if you hook up with some other girl, I'll make sure the whole world knows about it. If we are to rehab your reputation, you can't fake cheat on me or get yourself in trouble in a way that would contradict the relationship. I don't even want you dancing with someone else.”

I like the feel of his hand on my shoulder a little too much, and realize I want more of his touch, but whatever this is, I haveto shut it down right now. I step away from his reach, his hand falling to his side.

“So you’re saying no trips to the strip club?”

“Luke!”

“Gotta see my ex-girlfriends somehow.”

I shoot him a dangerous glare.

He grins. “Just kidding. Consider me warned. I'm not going after anybody else, not in any capacity.”

I look at him, noticing the way the light from the kitchen plays on the planes of his sharp cheekbones and day-old scruff. Damn, I can’t help but notice how handsome he is.

Shut that shit down, woman.

“So,” I say, turning away from him, “We should come up with a story of how we met.” I change the topic of where my mind was heading. “To do this right, we have to make sure our facts line up. Our first date, how long we've been together, that sort of stuff.”

“You're right. We need to be careful with the details, stay on top of them. If anyone catches us in a lie, this whole thing will fall apart.”

“Exactly. So let's get to work.” We talk for another hour, hashing over the details until my head is spinning. Once we both feel pretty solid on everything, we decide it’s time for bed. The look he gives me as we part ways to our separate rooms is too tempting.

How the hell am I going to do this for an undetermined amount of months?

Come morning, Whitney's words still echo in my head.Keke is capable and level-headed enough to keep you in check. I’m grateful to know that’s how she feels already. People believe what they want to believe. That was ninety percent of public relations. At our meeting earlier this morning, she had given her approval a lot easier than I had expected.

I sit in my car outside of my brother's office building, my stomach twisting itself into knots. I know his approval will not come so easily.

Michael was well aware that my job was stressful but explaining that I had signed up for a fake relationship with Luke—the guy he'd heard nothing but disaster stories about—was going to be a hell of a sell. He'd either laugh me out of the room or worse, he would judge me.

What are you thinking, Keke?I could practically hear him now. It would not be the first time he had asked me that kind of a question with that kind of tone.

Taking a deep breath, I get out of the car and try to shake off the feeling of dread. His office building looms ahead, the midday sun glaring behind it, bright enough to make me squint as I climb the steps.

I go straight up to his floor, my heart beating faster with every step. The receptionist gives me a smile and waves me in, but just as I reach for the handle, I hear voices. I turn to her. “Is he in a meeting?”

“Well, he is, but I thought you were supposed to be in there with them.”

That makes no sense. But then I hear it. Luke and Michael’s laughter rumbles through the door, like they’re old friends. What the hell is going on?

I barge in before I can second-guess myself. They’re on the balcony, both leaning back in their chairs, cigars in hand, laughing like they don’t have a care in the world, the smoke drifting lazily around them.

“Seriously?” I say louder than I intended.

---