Page 19 of Faking It

“I found it ironic when you mentioned not drinking alcohol, either.”

‘How does a bartender not drink?’ he asked, and I laughed at his funny expression.

“Does anything ring a bell?” he asks, incredulous.

“I’m sorry, but no—”

Carter snaps his fingers again. “You came around the back, and a woman followed you,” he says, and I feel the blood drain from my face. “She started screaming—”

“Okay. Enough. You can always return to memory lane later,” Cheryl interrupts impatiently as Jared approaches with two sheets of paper. I tear my eyes from Carter’s red face to take the excerpt of the script we’re about to read.

“I’m going off book, Jared,” Carter mumbles, brushing the paper aside.

He’s already memorized the script, obviously. Then again, he probably got the material weeks in advance. Another advantage. Another point gained on me. My negative feelings toward him keeps rising. Now, I’m forced to summon chemistry that I don’t feel.

Jared draws back, staring at Carter with pleasant surprise. “Good to see you’re actually taking this seriously, cousin.”

Oh, so they’re just keeping it in the family, I see. Are Norman and Elliott family, too?

Carter moves off to his mark without any prompting, and Jared motions for me to return to the couch from where my lines in the scene takes place. I force the nervous flutters down, then assume the position. Carter begins, and all trace of bewilderment is now gone as he speaks to me.

I almost get lost in his mesmerizing stare. Almost. Uncurling my legs, I set the paper aside, determined not to use the script either. Xavier and Mila are both ex-marines, both working for opposing mafia families. In this scene, the rivals are meeting for the first time at a veteran’s masquerade ball.

Shutting out the scene around me, I get immersed in make-believe, transporting myself to that luxurious ballroom where the most attractive man in the room only has eyes for me. He asks me for a dance, flirting heavily with me. I flirt back just as much; our bodies move in unison to imaginary music. He wants to take me home. I’m on the verge of saying yes. First, I need to know his name.

The muttered words make me draw back, breaking his hold on me. His employer is my boss’ sworn enemy, which makes him my enemy. I can’t fraternize with him. We shouldn’t even be in the same room.

“I need to go,” I mumble, backing away with terror in my eyes.

“And cut!” Cheryl yells.

It takes a moment for her words to sink in. I’m still caught up in the emotional scene, déjà vu swirling around me. A part of me feels like I just relived a moment from the night Carter and I met.

“At least we know there’s nothing wrong with your memory,” he murmurs.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard what I said. Confused with someone else, my ass. I never forget a face.” There’s a determined glint in his eyes as he lowers his tone. “And a face never forgets me.”

Jared approaches us with a grin. “That was amazing, you two—”

Carter’s pushiness frustrates me. Why the hell can’t he let this go? “Well,this facehas never met you before. What part of that don’t you understand?”

“Guys? What’s going on?” Jared enquires. I see the execs rising to their feet.

“I’d understand if you weren’t lying about it,” Carter replies hotly, closing the distance between us.

I lift my chin, determined not let his height advantage and that scowl intimidate me. “Get it through your head, Carter. You have me confused with someone else. Though I’m not surprised, considering how… busy you are.”

“Busy?” His brow quirks.

“You’re a smart man. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

“She’s talking about the ladies, Gideon,” Jared supplies with a loud whisper, the sparkle in his eyes telling how much he’s enjoying our little exchange.

“Yeah, I got it, buddy.” Carter’s eyes don’t leave mine. I stare back into his dark orbs, not wanting to back down, either.

A soft smirk pulls his thick lips apart. “I know why you’re pretending. Don’t worry; your secret’s safe with me,” he whispers.

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