Page 53 of Forever Fake

Blake nods, his shoulders visibly relax.

Liam turns to me. “What about you, do you have any plans for college?”

“Hah. No. I’ve never been all that good at school. Not like my sisters.” I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll find something I want to do eventually. No rush, right?”

“Or you could stay home and take care of Blake’s babies. I just hope they have your personality and not his.” Liam laughs at his brother’s sour expression.

My own skin heats to an uncomfortable degree. Having children with Blake has never crossed my mind because this is supposed to be a short-term relationship, but apparently everyone else has thought about it. They expect it. Of course they do, we’re engaged to be married.

Over the next couple of days, Yve makes sure all the men and women have a chance to get to know each other. Which means structured time for us girls to hang out together. I’ve come to the conclusion that Lexa’s miserable and I can’t believe Blake’s letting this wedding happen. Sam’s not so bad and we have a lot in common, from our taste in music to our love of cooking shows. Though unlike me, she would never set foot in a kitchen. But Sam likes the TV drama.

Yve really is a manipulative harpy. I believe Blake held back when he told me stories about her.

We’re sitting around the pool, sipping mimosas, when Yve says, “I don’t understand how you put up with Blake. You must suffer terribly.”

She’s fishing, baiting me, and I know it. Now it’s my job to convince her that Blake and I are madly in love with each other.

“Oh? What’s so bad about my fiancé?” My use of that word makes her twitch, so I keep slipping it into conversations whenever I can.

“He’s so mean. Rude all the time. Nothing is ever good enough for him. Plus he’s anti-social, and you’re the kind of girl who likes people.” She waves dismissively, her gold charm bracelet catches the sun, glinting.

Hm. She’s right on all counts. She knows her step-son pretty well.

“I happen to like Blake just the way he is. He’s not all bad.”

Yve’s laugh grates on my nerves. “You don’t have to lie to me, honey. He’s a brute and we both know it.”

“Honestly, I think that’s what I like about him. He has this sophisticated caveman thing going on and I love it.” My bright smile beams, without me having to force it. “Besides, once you get to know him, he’s a real catch. He’s much more complex than he appears. The loyalty he shows his family speaks volumes, and he’s perceptive, he always knows what I want before I do. He’s amazing.”

“I’m sure.” Yve turns to Sam and strikes up a conversation. If anyone else blatantly blew me off like that, I’d be hurt or annoyed, but I don’t expect anything less from this woman.

Politely excusing myself, I head inside. I’ve had enough tanning and awkward interactions for one day. And there’s still our group dinner to look forward to. I inwardly groan. Can I have room service? No one will notice my absence, will they?

I’ve just stepped through the door when a hand grips my arm and I release a startled yelp. His spicy cologne hits me right before he pulls my back to his chest and he murmurs in my ear, “Sophisticated caveman, huh? I liked being called amazing much better.”

“Are you always spying on me or is this a one-off?” I complain, while my heartbeat’s drumming against my ribcage from his touch and the rush of his breath against the shell of my ear.

“Always. Don’t ever forget it.” He releases me, and I turn to face him. “You’re such a good little liar that I almost believe what you said to Yve. Judging from her disgruntled expression, I think she does too.”

“That’s… that’s good.” What’s not good is that at some point when I was speaking to Yve, I stopped lying. Blake is perceptive, attentive in his own way, and I do admire his loyalty and love for his siblings. When did this happen? When did I start sliding into this dangerous territory?

I pull myself out of my spiraling thoughts. “We need to talk. In private.”

He nods and leads us to our bedroom suite, where I close the door behind us.

“You can’t let Lexa marry that man.” My hands rest on my hips. This is a hill I will die on. “She’s miserable. I don’t know her well at all—I mean we just met on this boat, and she barely talks, but I can tell she doesn’t want this marriage. Why are you allowing this to happen? I know you care for her wellbeing.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Enlighten me.” I step toward him. “I’m this close to dragging her into one of those emergency rafts, and seeing how we fare at sea, rather than let her walk down that aisle.”

He snorts.

“This isn’t funny.”

“No, it’s not, but you are.”

“I’m serious, Blake, I’ll do it. Don’t underestimate me.”

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