Page 30 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

She unbuttons her denim collar to reveal a beautiful necklace around her neck. She sits there proudly, flaunting it with a radiant smile.

“You’re one lucky girl,” I acknowledge.

“Stewart’s a lucky man,” she counters.

“That he is.” We toast with shots of tequila.

“So, what have you been up to while I was gone?” Annie asks.

“Well, I finished up your assignment, like you asked me to.”

Annie smiles, mouthing the words thank you.

“I met with Dr. Anderson and handed it over. Besides that, nothing much.”

I’m not sure it’s the right time to tell her about Sebastian, especially since I’ve always been vocal about my dislike for him.

“You know you’ve always been a bad liar,” Annie says, giving me a knowing look.

I smile, feeling exposed. I can’t hide anything from Annie. She reads me like a book.

“Well,” I begin hesitantly.

“Now that’s more like it,” she replies, leaning in.

“You do remember Sebastian, right?” I wince.

“The guy you hate more than guacamole?” Annie doesn’t seem surprised as she nibbles on the free tortillas.

“That one,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Well, it turns out he’s not so bad.” I shrug.

“I knew it!” Annie shouts, drawing half the bar’s attention. “I saw the way he was looking at you at my wedding. He wasn’t too pleased when David came over to talk to you.”

I didn’t know Annie had noticed everything.

“What made youchange your mind about him?” Annie asks, genuinely curious.

“Well, I haven’t been totally honest with you,” I admit.

She raises an eyebrow, intrigued.

I explain everything. How Sebastian is partially funding my project and how I agreed to be his fake girlfriend until he secures his inheritance.

Annie’s jaw drops. “Why would you agree to something like that?”

“I know, but I needed the funding, Annie. I couldn’t say no. With Dr. Anderson breathing down my neck, I had no choice. So, I agreed.”

“No choice?” she questions, her tone skeptical.

“I had to do it,” I insist.

“And now you’re falling for him,” Annie says knowingly, her eyes narrowing as she studies me.

I say nothing.

Annie leans closer, a grin spreading across her face as if she’s just uncovered a juicy secret.

I lean back, suddenly feeling vulnerable under her gaze.

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