Page 28 of Fake It 'Til You Feel It

“Is it about the deal?”

“No,” I reply quickly. Too quickly. “The deal’s fine. Harris is practically begging to sign after seeing us together.”

She arches a brow, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “So we’re good actors, then.”

Something about that stings.

“Dana,” I step closer, my hand brushing against hers on the railing. “This stopped being an act the moment I kissed you for the first time. Maybe even before that.”

Her lips part, but no words come out. I take that as my cue to keep going.

I exhale sharply and pull the papers from my pocket, unfolding them with steady hands despite the riot in my chest. “I meant to bring this up later. After we got back.” I hesitate, my throat tightening. "But I don’t want to wait."

She blinks, her gaze flickering between my face and the papers. “Nathan… what is this?”

I swallow. “My resignation.”

Silence. Her breath catches.

“I’m done,” I continue, voice steady. “With Clarke Enterprises. With the board. With the entire fucking power struggle that comes with it.”

Her brows knit together. “But… Nathan, that’s your legacy.”

“No. It was my obligation.” My jaw tightens, but I hold her gaze. “My legacy is mine to decide.”

Dana stares at me like she doesn’t quite believe what she’s hearing. “You’re serious?”

I nod. “I should have done this sooner. But last night made it clear—this, you, us—this is what I want. And I’m tired of sacrificing everything else for something I never really chose.”

She’s silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips part into something between a smile and disbelief.

“You’re insane.”

I grin. “Only a little. But I mean every word.”

Her eyes search mine, flickering between uncertainty and something else—something softer, more vulnerable.

I exhale sharply. “These past few days, you’ve shown me what’s been missing from my life. Not just success—I’ve had plenty of that—but something real. Something I didn’t even know I needed until you.” I place the papers in her hands, watching as her fingers tighten around them. “Open it.”

She hesitates before unfolding them, scanning the text. Her breath catches, her expression shifting—disbelief, surprise, denial, and then something dangerously close to hope.

Her voice wavers. “You’re… signing the company over to me?”

“It’s already yours.” My voice is steady, certain. “You’ve been running it behind the scenes for years anyway. And I know, without a doubt, that no one will protect it the way you will.”

Dana blinks at me, eyes wide. “Nathan, I can’t… this is too much.”

I step closer, tilting her chin so she meets my gaze. “You can. And it’s not too much—it’s exactly what you deserve.”

Dana brings her free hand up to cover her mouth.Shit, did I do this wrong?Her eyes glisten, and I can’t tell for certain if the unshed tears are happy or fearful. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“Say yes,” I murmur.We’ve already gotten this far.“Say that you’re willing to give us a chance.”

She’s silent for a moment, her gaze searching mine like she’s trying to find an answer buried there. Her eyes—God, her eyes. Deep, rich, and dark, like a secret she hasn’t decided if she wants to share.

“I’m scared,” she admits softly.

“I know,” I say, squeezing her hand. “I’m scared too. But we don’t have to figure it all out right now. We just have to take the first step.” I press a gentle kiss to her temple, lingering just long enough to let the warmth settle between us.

---