Page 12 of The Fake Affair

I smile into the phone and let the conversation drift toward safer ground—recipes, her dress fitting drama, a little gossip about one of her cousins who apparently got too drunk at the reception to remember dancing with the string quartet.

By the time we hang up, my body feels like lead. I curl up under a blanket on the couch, but sleep doesn’t come easily. Not with the new truth sitting in my chest like a stone. Not with the memory of Logan’s voice the night of the wedding still echoing in my head.

And definitely not with the knowledge that I’ve been wrong about everything all week.

There’s only one thing that can help right now, so I get up and take the longest shower of my life, trying to wash away the guilt of my actions this past week. Under the hot water, memories of the office float back.

The way Logan would bring coffee to late meetings, making sure everyone was taken care of before starting. How he knows every employee's name, even the cleaning staff. The time he gave his umbrella to an intern during a storm, then walked to his car in the rain.

Small moments I'd deliberately ignored while plotting my revenge. Because it was easier to see him as the callous one-night stand who'd dismissed me than to admit there might be more to him. More to us.

I drag myself to my desk after taking my shower to check tomorrow’s schedule one last time on my laptop.

I feel a shiver of dread.

Tomorrow morning’s client meeting—the one I deliberately triple-booked—is with the CEO of Silicon Valley’s hottest AI startup, CyberMind. The same startup that three other major investment firms are courting. The same startup that could make or break Monarch Ventures’ reputation as a serious player in tech investment.

I frantically click through calendar invites, but it’s too late to make changes. The other attendees have already confirmed. Logan will have to choose between the AI startup and two other crucial meetings I’ve stacked against it.

My stomach churns as I scroll through the calendar. This isn't just about annoying Logan anymore. Monarch Ventures has been courting this AI startup for months. I've seen the reports. This could be the deal that establishes them as a serious player in the industry. And I might have just sabotaged it because I was too hurt to see what was right in front of me.

The AI startup's CEO is notoriously particular about his time. One scheduling mishap could tank months of careful negotiation. And I've created not just one conflict, but three. God, what was I thinking?

My phone pings with an email from Logan:

Looking forward to tomorrow’s meetings. All of them. -LF

The bastard isn’t even trying to hide his sarcasm.

I close my laptop and crawl into bed, but sleep doesn't come. Instead, I keep thinking about Sunday morning. About the new clothes next to my freshly pressed gown. About how he smiles at me, even when I'm awful to him.

My mind drifts to the CyberMind reports piled on my desk, the ones detailing exactly how crucial this deal could be for Monarch. It's not just about the money for Logan—it's about establishing Monarch Ventures as more than just another investment firm.

About how maybe I'm not the only one who remembers that graduation party, where a cocky Scotsman with something to prove met a Shakespeare-quoting girl who wasn't impressed by his money.

My phone pings again. Another email from Logan:

By the way, CyberMind’s CEO only drinks single-origin Ethiopian coffee. In case that affects your morning sabotage plans. -LF

I grab my pillow and scream into it.

What have I done?

FOUR

THE CONFRONTATION

Logan

Friday morning, and I’m already on my third cup of coffee. My phone vibrates against the table with a text from Audrey.

Hi, big bro. So, I did a thing… before you begin to scowl, she would have found out, eventually. Bella’s a smart woman. Have a great day!

I scowl at my phone still.

We agreed you wouldn’t tell her.

Someone had to. Now stop texting and fix your meetings.

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