Page 11 of The Fake Affair

“Oh God.” I press my palm to my forehead, my fingers trembling. “Oh God.”

“Yeah,” Audrey says softly.

“But then why didn’t he say anything at work? Why didn’t he just… explain?”

She exhales sharply. “Because he’s Logan bloody Fraser, and his pride is bigger than his bank account. You know that. And also, you’ve been terrorizing him all week, so I’m guessing he figured you didn’t exactly want a chat.”

I groan and drop my head against the back of the couch again. The ache in my chest spreads slowly, a creeping guilt that makes my face flush with heat. “Audrey… I’ve been horrible. Yesterday I scheduled his lunch meeting with that startup he’s trying to acquire at the same time as his dentist appointment.

Audrey’s response is a dry chuckle. “To be fair, he deserved it for his history with my friends.”

“Don’t encourage me,” I mumble, though the smallest, most reluctant smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. It fades quickly. “Still. That’s not okay. I should probably start looking for a new job before he fires me for real.”

“Don’t you dare,” Audrey says, suddenly fierce. “You listen to me, Bella. Despite Logan being a royal ass ninety percent of the time, Monarch Ventures is the fastest-growing tech investment firm in the city. A year there will open every door you want to walk through. And you’re brilliant. Even when you’re actively trying to sabotage him, you’re still better than half the staff he’s had.”

I pick at a loose thread in the throw pillow beside me, guilt curling tighter in my chest. “Yeah, but…”

“But nothing,” she snaps. “And Logan…” She hesitates, which is rare enough that I sit up again.

“What about him?” I ask, wary.

“He’s different with you.”

I swallow hard. “Different how?”

Audreyhmmsthoughtfully on the other end before speaking once more, and the tone she uses makes me think it’s taken her some effort to say everything she just has. “He asked me not to tell you about the misunderstanding.”

My eyes narrow as I try to process this, and I shake my head. “What? Why?”

“Probably because he’s an idiot.” She sighs. In my head, I picture her scowling as she tries to understand how Logan’s brain works. Honestly, I get it, because there have been times when he’s been incredibly hard to read. “He should fix this mess himself.”

I let that sink in. The way he’s looked at me this week. The way he didn’t snap back when I was at my worst. The emails that managed to be sarcastic and weirdly thoughtful all at once. His reluctant patience, even though I’ve been horrible to him left and right.

He could’ve fired me, and he didn’t.

“Bella?”

“I’m thinking,” I say, though the truth is, I’m spiraling. Every little thing I’ve done to get under his skin this week feels like its own flavor of childish now. Every glance. Every calculated sabotage.

“I’ve been a menace,” I say finally, groaning as I press a cushion over my face.

“I mean, yes,” Audrey says lightly. “But he kind of deserved it. For his history with my friends, if nothing else.”

“Still,” I mutter.

A pause.

“Bella? I’m serious. Promise me you won’t let on that you know,” she says. “He’ll clam up and be an ass about it. ”

I hesitate. It feels wrong to keep something like this between them, but she’s right. If this was a misunderstanding—and it clearly was—then Logan should be the one to explain himself. He owes me that much.

“Fine,” I say. “I promise.”

“Good.” Her voice lifts again, brighter. “Now tell me you’re coming to dinner next weekend. Louis wants to show off his cooking skills.”

I manage a weak laugh. “Audrey, most people in your position would stay on their honeymoon for at least thirty days. I still can’t believe you two cut it short.”

She snorts. “Louis and I have the rest of our lives to savor each other’s company. Besides, we can do whatever the bloody hell we want.”

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