Page 28 of The Fake Play

“Wow, that must’ve been really hard.”

“The stories they tell… there were times when they've almost been caught. Each of them have personal lives that they maintain behind closed doors but their romance was a public fairy tale, and if the truth came out now, they'd lose everything. So they keep up appearances.”

“And that's that? They never get to live their lives?”

I shrug, a little nostalgic smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. My parents’ marriage was bittersweet—we all hated that they had to hide who they were, but they made it work with a different kind of love. “They truly are best friends. They are there for each other in ways that most married couples only dream of. They fiercely adore their children. Their marriage isn't a lie. Not the way most people think. They love each other but not in a romantic way. They get to live life with their best friend as their partner. How many people can say that?”

Keke stays silent, her gaze never leaving mine. “Hmm. I get that, I think. I mean, it's kind of sad, but I also understand the functionality of it. Sometimes life takes you in directions you never see coming and you have to jump on the opportunities that make sense at the time.”

“Exactly.”

“How did they get you and your sisters? If that's not too personal a question.”

“Turkey baster.”

“No kidding.”

I run a hand over the back of my neck, feeling a mixture of pride and something deeper, something I can’t define. I have to make sure she understands the gravity of what I just told her. “Only family knows. And now, you.”

“I’m honored. I won’t tell anyone.”

“I know that but I just wanted to make sure you knew, so you don’t accidentally slip up.” I swallow, trying to think of what else to say. I just told her my family’s biggest secret, and my brain is drained. For some reason, I feel like I need to defend my parents though I don’t know why.

“To be clear, they don’t do it to deceive other people. They care about each other deeply, even though it's not romantic. They support each other and they’ve built a good life together.”

“You don’t need to explain it to me, Luke. I get it. To be honest, I’m more than a little jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“They're two of Hollywood's royalty. I'd say they built more than just a good life together. They built an empire. I mean, your parents headline at least one Oscar contender every year. You’re a professional athlete, your sisters are talented professionals… seriously, they struck gold.” She exhales, her gaze distant for a moment as if she was seeing my parents, picturing the quietstrength of what they've created. “That must have been a lot for you and your sisters to grow up around.”

“It was. I guess it taught me a lot about how to pull off a fake relationship convincingly.” I wink.

“You're really something, you know that?” She sighs. “Just when I think I’m getting a real version of you, you go and say something goofy like that.”

“Come on.” I grin at her, hoping to lighten the mood. “Just say yes already and make it official. You're not alone anymore. We're a team here. We can make this work.”

She nibbles her lip as she thinks it over. “Fine, but just so we're clear, there's no way I'm fake marrying you. This is strictly a fake dating thing only.”

A rush of victory flashes through me. “Deal. And don't worry, I wouldn't dream of tying you down like that.”

“Good, because I don’t go for kinky shit.”

I snort a laugh. “Keke! You’re too innocent to know about that kind of stuff.”

She meets my smile with a mischievous one of her own. “You have no idea what I know, Luke.”

I can’t tell if she’s flirting with me, or if this is merely her sense of humor finally peeking out. Either way, I like this better than the dour, pensive expression she’s worn since I walked in.

We firmly shake on the deal. Maybe it’s her touch, or maybe it’s the fact that we agreed to do this crazy plan together, but I feel something shift between us. I hope it isn’t my imagination but either way, this plan is going to be more fun than just having a nanny.

“Okay. I’ll call Whitney.”

Why was the thought of calling her scarier than asking Keke to be my fake girlfriend?

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Chapter 12

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