Page 68 of Forever Fake

“I’ll see you downstairs. Our guest should be here soon.” He slips from my room, leaving me staring after him.

Am I falling in love? Butterflies flutter in my stomach and my skin warms. I catch myself smiling in the mirror, my expression completely smitten. Oh god, this isn’t good. I can’t fall for my fake fiancé no matter how unexpectedly wonderful he is.

Pulling myself together, I finish my makeup, trail my fingers over the stunning necklace I’m wearing and slip on my heels. Now, I’m ready to woo our dinner guest until he signs that property away to Blake and Titan Enterprises. I like Liam, hedeserves to keep his inheritance. Furthermore, Yve is a cunning bitch who needs to be taken down a notch or two.

As I make my way downstairs, masculine voices reach my ears, signaling that our guest has already arrived. They’re in the sitting room, probably having a drink before dinner.

I make my way toward the doorway, a welcoming grin plastered to my lips, and step into the room. My smile falters. My heart stops. I freeze, my mind blank with terror.

No. It can’t be him. How is he in my house? What is he doing here?

Blake turns to face me, a fresh drink in his hand. “Ginevra, I’d like you to meet Oliver Zaleski. He goes by Oz. Oz, this is my fiancée, Ginevra Pontrelli.”

I quickly shake off my shock, though fear lodges itself deep beneath my skin as I gaze into Oliver’s sparkling green eyes. He’s amused—which is never a good thing.

“N-nice to meet you, Oz.” I stumble over my words at first.

“The pleasure’s all mine.” He extends his hand—to my horror—as I’m forced to shake it. Otherwise Blake will realize something’s wrong, then question me, and I can’t tell him what happened. That secret I’ve buried deep down, and it will never see the light of day, so help me God.

As soon as my hand slips into Oliver’s a shiver runs up my spine, nausea churns my stomach, and I quickly pull away.

Blake notices my abrupt movements, a frown tugs at his full mouth. I ignore the unspoken question in his eyes and paste a smile back on my face. I have to pretend to be charming, to win over Oliver, when all I want to do is run and hide. How did I get myself into this situation?

It will all be fine.

Everything is fine. I repeat that mantra in my head over and over.

Oliver isn’t letting on that we know each other, so I won’t either. I can do this. He’s not Oliver, he’s Oz—a nickname I never heard him use while we were dating. But the truth is, I never knew the man standing before me, and I certainly don’t know him now.

“So, Oz, my fiancé tells me you’re in real estate.” I gesture for him to sit on the sofa and take the chair across from him. Blake folds himself into the chair next to mine.

Oliver’s eyes flash with malice when I mention my fiancé. He doesn’t like that I’m engaged to another man. Dread coils tighter around my guts.

I’m fine. Everything will be fine.

“Actually, I’m simply selling off a piece of my family’s estate. I recently came into my inheritance, and I’m doing my best to ensure everything is well-managed. The money from this sale will do wonders for some investment opportunities that have come up.” He flashes me a grin. I used to love that boyish expression, but now it makes me sick.

It occurs to me that Oliver isn’t surprised to find me here, which means he knew walking into this that Blake and I are engaged. What is he playing at? Will he sell the property to Blake, knowing that he’s my fiancé, or is he here to torment me under the guise of this business deal? With Oliver, I never know what’s going on in his head.

The gong sounds, summoning us to dinner, and saving me from having to make small talk with my ex in front of my fake fiancé.Fuck my life.

Blake settles at the head of the table, leaving Oliver and I to sit across from each other. How am I supposed to eat while looking at him? While he’s watching me with that malevolent gleam in his eyes?

Kyla, and our housekeeper Fleur, serve us dinner then disappear into the kitchen. Lucky them. I’d do anything to join them right now.

Blake and Oliver chit-chat about sports and the stock market for a while, which gives me a few minutes to calm my frayed nerves. The meal Kyla created for us this evening is delicious, yet I barely taste it as I chew another bite and swallow. My throat’s painfully tight. My mouth dry, no matter how much wine I sip.

About a half hour in, Blake’s phone rings. He fishes it from his pocket, frowns at the screen, and excuses himself. Panic threatens to engulf me when he leaves the room, leaving me alone with Oliver.

No, no, no, don’t leave me here.

As soon as Blake’s footsteps fade away, Oliver leans forward, elbows braced on the table. “Ginny, it’s been so long since we last saw each other. I’ve missed you, babe.”

My food threatens to come back up. “Why are you here?”

“I have business with yourfiancé.” He grimaces. “But did you really think I was going to let you go? The fact that you’re engaged changes nothing, it means nothing to me. You’re mine and you always will be, no matter how many other men you fuck, you stupid whore.

“I always knew you were a fucking gold-digger. Were my millions not enough for you? You had to go after thatbillionaireinstead? You know, he’s just using you as a fuck toy. As soon as he’s had his fill of your cunt, he’ll toss you on the street, and guess who’ll be there to pick you up?Me.” He jabs a thumb at his chest. “I’ll scoop you up off the pavement and take you home where you belong. Then we can pick up where we left off.”