Page 101 of Faking It

That’s not her status quo.

“Another reason I’m sure Gideon’s not the mole, honey.” His tone comes with a little sass, his expression irritated. “He came to me a few days after the story broke out about your little cheating drama, asking if I was the mole.” He throws his hands on his hips. “Why would he do that, pray tell?”

I stare at him in silence.

“Because he’s innocent.”

I don’t like how he’s looking at me, like I just committed an unforgivable sin. I’m already battling with that heavy pang in my stomach, the one that usually appears when I’m wrong.

“Do you know what bugs me? Gideon came to me out of concern foryou.” He jabs his finger at me. “He saw how much that story hurt you, and he wanted it to go away. That was a man who cared deeply for you. Pity the feeling wasn’t mutual.”

“Jared, can you at least understand where I’m coming from? Gideon was the only one who knew my story—”

“You thought he was the only one. I bet my life that he wasn’t.” He flashes me off. “And I’m not going to stand here and listen as you keep throwing him under the bus. I have a party to get to. You, my dear, need to find the real culprit instead of coming for my family.”

With that, he goes off, and like Gideon an hour ago, slams the door behind him. Again, I flinch, but this time, there’s no emotion. Just a wakeup call.

If Gideon’s not the source—and it’s abigif— I need to find out who it is. If I’m wrong, then this is way more serious than I thought. Someone is out to get me. Whoever it is, they’re trying to ruin my life.

Chapter 36

Gideon

God, I’m suffocating. Standing in the middle of a beautiful botanical park with a cool breeze, and it still feels like I can’t breathe. I fucking wish I could yank this cap off my head and free my hair. Hiding in plain sight is no longer the mysterious fun I experienced when I just started out. I’m tired of masking who I am, pretending to be someone else. Now, I just want to be myself.

Considering I still owe Dad half his money, I’m forced to keep pretending much longer.

The maid of honor lifts the bride’s cathedral veil, and as it floats down, I snap away. My eyes are focused on the images flashing across the screen, but my mind is elsewhere. For the first time, I’m not enjoying my job.

It’s not a worrying notion. I know it’s temporary. The source of my misery has nothing to do with the profession that feels nothing like work and everything to do with the woman who’s been haunting my dreams since the night I stomped out of that trailer.

I still can’t believe Ana accused me of being the mole. I’ve never been so devastated. Seeing the betrayal in her eyes, a look I didn’t deserve, wrecked me. Ruined my trust in her. Knowing she so easily losthertrust made me wonder if it was ever there at all. It made me wonder if she was even real. But when the rolodex of memories comes at me, I disregard that notion. Ana is real, but she’s tainted by her past. A huge red flag.

The bride giggles, and I snap out of it, refocusing my attention as the groom joins her. Following my instructions, they pose for a few photos by the water fountain before we move to a lusher area of the botanical park.

It’s been two weeks since the movie wrapped. Two weeks since I last saw Ana. It’s been two weeks of an emotional roller coaster, where I’m pissed at her one minute, then missing the fuck out of her the next. Two weeks spent doing drive-bys at Tori’s apartment, just to confirm she’s still alive and well.

Who am I kidding? Her Instagram page told me everything I needed to know. I wanted to see her in the flesh, though I fucking hate myself for it. After how she behaved, I shouldn’t want to see her at all.

Fucking pathetic.

Me, who’s never been hung up on a woman in my life, find myself pining over a woman who doesn’t deserve my love. She proved that by not giving me the benefit of the doubt.

With a harsh sigh, I push the thoughts away. Now is not the time to get caught up in those emotions. I have a job to do. Putting my game face on, I focus on the wedding party photoshoot, then capture memories of the entertaining reception. The festive activities keep me distracted for the next three hours until I get behind the wheel of my car. Then they return, stronger and more disturbing than before.

Someone’s out to get Ana. I know it. What I don’t know iswhoorwhy. Her mom is involved, of course, but she’s not the only instigator. Someone else wants her to suffer, and whoever it is, they’re behind that ANON page.

Reaching for my cell phone, I punch in a number. He answers on the first ring. “Sir.”

“Anything?”

He chuckles dryly. “You asked me the same question six hours ago. Like I told you, I’ll send an update the second I receive one. But no, I still haven’t found any trails to that account. They’re smart, that’s all I can say.”

I blow out a frustrated breath. “Too fucking smart.”

“Trust me, I’ll find them. I just need some time.”

He hangs up after my muttered goodbye. The thing is, I don’t know if Ana has time. There’s a feeling in my gut that won’t go away whenever I think of her.

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