Page 39 of Forever Fake

My gasp catches in my throat.

Lights automatically turn on all around me, illuminating the largest walk-in closet I’ve ever seen. It’s an entire room with an island in the middle, a crystal chandelier hanging over it. My clothes, shoes, and bags are beautifully displayed in a custom closet system. Part of the island is a glass jewelry case. There’s even a makeup vanity and mirror in front of one of the two huge windows.

“This is…” I trail off, I have no words.

Blake leans casually against the doorjamb, arms folded. “Magpie-worthy?” he asks.

My heart skips a beat, and a foreign kind of warmth spreads through my limbs. He did this…for me. I can’t believe it.

Spinning toward him, I ask, “Is this why you were on the phone last night and this morning?”

“Yes. The contractor did half the job then vanished, so I had my assistant Marcus and his team finish it up before our return. Do you like it? I can have them change anything?—”

With a squeal, I rush to him and throw my arms around his neck. “I love it! Thank you so much.”

He grunts. “Now you have a place for all of your stuff.”

I kiss his cheek, then pull away. “I know you want me to think you did this to get all of my clutter out of your way, but I know that’s not entirely true. You did this for me. Admit it.”

“Never. I did this for my own selfish reasons, and that is all.” He states those words as fact, yet my heart flutters at the warmth in his eyes.Liar.He did this for me.

“Whatever you say.” I bounce on my toes, unable to contain my excitement. “I’m cooking you dinner tonight.” That statement’s out before I lose my nerve. “Your boneless chicken and vegetables can wait one more night. I know you eat delicious dishes, you did at the resort.”

He sighs. “I only eat delicious dishes made by world-renowned chefs.”

“Snob.”

“Quite.”

“Well, I promise you that you’ll love whatever I make for you.”

“Gin, don’t.” He frowns. “I’m not a polite person. I’m not going to tell you how good your home-cooked meal is just to make you happy. I don’t believe in false praise.”

I dryly chuckle. “Oh, I know.”

But I don’t care. Nothing he can say will dissuade me from thanking him by cooking dinner tonight. With that goal in mind, I go in search of Kyla. We have work to do.

“Gin,” Blake growls as I make him sit down at the dining table with me. He’s like a fussy toddler who doesn’t want to eat his food.

“Stop protesting. It’s too late now. Sit down so we can have a nice meal together.” I take my seat across from him. Nerves skitter beneath my skin as Kyla serves the dinner we worked so hard on. I wanted to do this one mostly by myself, so she provided the ingredients, then sat back and watched, only speaking up when I was about to do something wrong. Under her masterful guidance, I think I did okay.

Blake sniffs at his forkful of braised pork in a sweet and savory sauce before tentatively putting it in his mouth. I roll my eyes. He’s acting like I might serve him poison—or worse, prison food. I know he eats pork because he ordered it atSpades,when we had dinner together.

He chews, makes a small noise in the back of his throat, swallows, then goes for another bite. I tasted everything in the kitchen along the way, so I know it’s good—excellent even. Blake tastes the braised pork with the accompanying rice, then the sautéed bok choy and mushrooms topped with basil, all in silence.

I can’t stand the suspense any longer. “Well?”

Leaning forward, I wait for him to speak.

“It’s good.” He scowls at his plate, like he’s blaming it for being so tasty. “Actually, it might be the best braised pork dish I’ve ever had.”

I grin so wide my cheeks ache. He’d never say that if he didn’t mean it. The anxiety twisting my stomach morphs into tiny bubbles, so light and airy I could float away. Finally, I dive into my own meal. It is good. I’m very proud of myself right now.

Blake arches a brow. “You made this under Kyla’s supervision?”

“Yep. She corrected me twice. Once when I almost skipped a step, and again when I grabbed the wrong spice. Other than that, it’s all my creation.”

He nods, chewing. “You have a true talent here, magpie. Why haven’t you pursued it?”

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