Page 33 of The Fake Affair

“You were perfect.”

She snuggles closer, already drifting off again. “Your accent gets softer when you’re being nice.”

I wait until her breathing evens out before whispering, “Only with you, love.”

When we finally arrive home, I carry her up to her room. She stirs as I lay her on her bed but doesn’t fully wake.

“Stay,” she mumbles, catching my hand.

“You know I can’t.”

But I linger long enough to remove her shoes, to pull a blanket over her. Long enough to know I’m falling for more than just our act.

NINE

THE DINNER

Bella

“This is weird, right?” I ask Logan as we pull up to Audrey’s brownstone. “Like, beyond weird.”

After years of girls’ nights and crisis calls with my best friend, I’m showing up to dinner with her brother. The same brother I’m in a fake relationship with. Even though Audrey knows we’re faking it, it’s still weird.

“It’s just dinner,” Logan says. “Stop fidgeting.”

“I am not fidgeting. She knows we’re faking this, but it’s just so awkward.”

“She only knows most of it,” he corrects, and we both think about the kitchen incident. And the art gallery. And the coatroom.

Before we reach the front steps, Audrey throws open the door. She’s in loungewear, hair piled messily.

“Finally!” She hugs me tight, whispering, “We’re talking about this later,” before turning to Logan. “You’re late. Again.”

“Traffic,” he says, and I laugh. I’ve known him long enough through Audrey to know he probably spent ages choosing that tie.

Audrey’s new place is exactly her style—the same blend of luxury and comfort I helped her pick out during countless house-hunting weekends. Wedding photos line the walls, including my favorite of her and Logan laughing just before he walked her down the aisle.

“Louis got stuck in surgery,” she says as we hit the kitchen. “But honestly? It’s better that way. Because Dad just called.”

“Shit,” Logan says.

“Yeah.” She pours wine without asking about our preferences—she already knows mine. “He’s pissed about the wedding.”

“When isn’t he pissed about something?” Logan’s voice has that edge I’m learning means family drama incoming.

“He says, and I quote,‘How dare you get married without giving me proper notice?’” She rolls her eyes. “Like he would’ve shown up anyway.”

“You had me walk you down the aisle,” Logan says. “That’s what mattered.”

“Besides, Louis already got his blessing months ago. Called him in Edinburgh and everything. Not that Dad probably remembers—you know how he gets after pub hours.”

The kitchen falls quiet. I’ve heard all the stories about their father over years of friendship with Audrey.

“Did you tell him about us?” I ask, partly to break the tension.

“God, no.” Audrey tops off my wine. “He’d probably fly in just to lecture Logan about dating my best friend. Again.”

Logan shrugs. “Old habits.”

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