Page 32 of The Fake Play

“I didn’t ask you to take anything off my plate?—”

“Keke, you have so much on your plate that if you ate it all, you’d choke.”

I blink up at him, unsure what to say to that, fighting off a laugh.

“I get it. I stepped on your toes. It won’t happen again, okay? Look, I didn't mean anything by it,” he says gently. Different from an apology, but at least he sounds sincere.

“Why didn't you ask me first?”

“I knew you'd say no.”

The elevator dings, my frustration bubbling up again as we step outside. “I don't need you to help me, Luke. This is my job, managing things, managing you. I don't need extra favors.”

“It’s okay to need help sometimes, Keke.”

The quiet intensity of his words throw me off and I look away, trying to ignore the heat rising in my cheeks. Who is this person? Definitely not the same Luke I met just days ago.

“Just stick to the plan, okay? No more extras. Agreed?”

His lips tighten. “Fine, strictly business, no extras.” But then comes his usual jovial tone. “I guess I'll have to figure out another way to be a perfect boyfriend for you.”

“Just so we're clear, Luke, you are not charming your way through this. The last thing we need is for anyone who knows what’s going on to think you're actually getting attached.”

“You think I'm going to screw this up, don’t you?”

“I think you're used to getting your own way without having to try too hard. And this is not about easy wins, Luke. It's about control, predictability, managing your impulses. This is not a game. Our careers are on the line.”

“I'm with you on this Keke, whether you think so or not.”

I look away. I can’t stare at those puppy dog eyes for too long before losing myself in them. “Good. Glad we're on the same page.”

We start walking again, the silence between us heavy with words unsaid. I keep my eyes forward, my mind racing around what I’m feeling.

No, no, no, no. Don’t you dare allow yourself to develop feelings for him!

“So, where do we start with this little project of ours?” he asks. “Do we go public right away, or do we build up the suspense?”

I release the breath that had caught in my throat, grateful for the change of topic. “I think we should ease into it. A few low-key sightings, maybe a couple of public appearances where we look like we're getting close. We don't want people to think that this is fake by throwing it in their faces right away. You have to take this seriously.”

“Don't worry, Keke, I am. But we still need to have fun. Don’t underestimate just how fun I can be.”

I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile. “Don't be too fun, or people might think this is real.” I don’t know who I mean by people. The paparazzi, the public, or me.

“Don't worry, I know where the line is. I won't cross it.”

Why am I disappointed to hear that?

Chapter 13

Luke

It feels like the perfect night to take Keke out to debut our new fake relationship. Smokey's Bar is packed just the way I like it, with the kind of easygoing crowd that enjoys watching someone else's business unfold right before their eyes.

Which is precisely the idea.

Keke is dressed more for a business meeting rather than a night out. A navy blazer over a black top, all sharp edges and no softness. It makes her look powerful, but power isn’t what I want her to project. I take her hand, lacing our fingers together. She shoots me a look as if I just took liberties, which, to be fair, I did.

I remind her, “Relax. We're here to celebrate. We're supposed to be having fun.”

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