Page 37 of Fractured Faceoff

"Never pegged you for someone who’d appreciate this kind of place," she remarked.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

She smirked but didn't reply immediately, instead focusing on the menu in front of her.

"And there's nothing I wouldn't do for my girl," I added.

I took that moment to soak in our surroundings—thedelicate paper lanterns hanging overhead, casting soft shadows; the gentle strains of traditional music playing in the background; and most importantly, Isla sitting across from me, looking more relaxed than I'd seen her in weeks.

I picked up the menu, scanning through the list of dishes with an air of casual interest.

"So," I asked, "what's good here?"

Isla glanced up from her menu, eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and genuine enthusiasm. "Their Peking duck is fantastic," she said. "And the dim sum is pretty great too. Oh, and you have to try the hot and sour soup."

"Sold," I replied, closing my menu just as the waiter approached our table.

He placed a delicate porcelain teapot and two cups in front of us, steam rising gently from the spout. "Good evening," he greeted us with a polite smile. "Can I start you off with some tea?"

I nodded. "Please."

He poured the tea with practiced ease, filling our cups before stepping back slightly. "Are you ready to order?"

Isla went first. "I'll have the hot and sour soup to start, then the Peking duck."

The waiter jotted down her order before turning to me. "And for you, sir?"

"I'll take the same," I said. "Hot and sour soup and Peking duck."

"Very good," he replied, collecting our menus with a nod. "Your orders will be out shortly."

As he walked away, I leaned back in my chair, letting my gaze settle on Isla. She looked different outside of the office environment—more relaxed, but still with that air of determination that alwayssurrounded her.

"So," I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us, "what are your concerns?"

"Besides everything?" She let out a short laugh, but it lacked humor. Her fingers played with the edge of her napkin as she continued. "There's Brody's scandal for starters. It's already getting messy, and it's only going to get worse if more details come out. You think it's going to look good if I jump into something with you?" She paused, glancing around as if ensuring no one was eavesdropping. "And then there's Ava and Kash," she went on. "I worry about how she'll react to this whole arrangement between us. She's not exactly... stable when it comes to relationships. I'm still her sister."

I nodded thoughtfully but remained silent, letting her continue.

"Plus," she added, her voice dropping slightly, "there's the concern that this plan might backfire spectacularly on both of us."

"Backfire how?" I asked.

"Well," she said, hesitating slightly, "if people find out we're faking it... it could ruin your reputation too."

I leaned forward again, meeting her gaze head-on. “That’s a risk I'm willing to take if it means getting payback.”

"Have you considered Ava won't even believe it?" Isla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why not?" I leaned in, genuinely curious.

"Ava is… she's never been threatened by me," she replied, her eyes meeting mine. "She'll know you're just trying to get back at her."

"Even so," I said, holding her gaze. "It'll bother her. You're her sister. And I don't understand why you'd thinkshe wouldn't be threatened by you, sugar. You're something special."

Isla shook her head, a small, rueful smile playing on her lips. "I'm no Ava Sawyer," she said softly. "And I'm not saying that in a way to, like, feel sorry for myself. I'm saying it because it's true."

I couldn't let that stand. Leaning forward, I locked eyes with her, making sure she felt the intensity of my words.

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