Page 36 of The Fake Affair

“It’s not just a thing anymore.” Logan’s voice is low and serious. “You know that.”

“Do I? Because the last time you showed this much interest in one of my friends?—”

“Bella’s different.” His interruption is sharp. “She’s brilliant, Audrey. The way she handled the CyberMind deal, how she thinks about business... she’s not just my girlfriend or my assistant. She’s...”

“She’s what?”

“She’s the reason I’ve started believing in second chances. And third chances. Hell, she’s made me lose count.”

My heart stops.

“Logan.” Audrey’s voice softens. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I’m saying don’t worry about her. I’m not the same person I was.”

“You better not be. Because if you hurt her?—”

“You’ll kill me?” There’s a smile in his voice.

“Slowly and painfully. She’s my best friend, Logan. And whatever this started as... just be careful with her heart, okay?”

“Her heart isn’t the one I’m worried about,” he says so quietly I almost miss it.

I back up a few steps, then walk normally toward the kitchen. Logan emerges first, his face carefully composed.

“Ready to go?” he asks. “It’s getting late.”

TEN

POSSESSION

Logan

The CyberMind acquisition has thrown Monarch Ventures into overdrive. Victoria’s arranged a company dinner to celebrate—and, more importantly, to parade Bella and me in front of the board again.

“Remind me why we need to do this?” I call through Bella’s bedroom door. She’s been getting ready for an hour, probably just to drive me insane.

“Because your board thinks you’re secretly a serial killer who keeps his victims in a basement, and I’m your shot at appearing human.” Her voice carries through the door. “Also, you’re the one who made me reschedule three client meetings for this.”

I lean against the doorframe, smiling despite myself. Living together has created this strange comfort I wasn’t expecting.

“My schedule was perfectly fine before you started messing with it,” I remind her.

“Your schedule was a crime against humanity.” The door opens, and my comeback dies in my throat. She’s wearing a deep blue dress that makes me forget why we’re arguing.

“You’re staring,” she says, brushing past me to grab her earrings from the kitchen counter.

I follow her, drawn like I always am. “The board’s going to love you in that dress.”

“The board already loves me. I’m the woman who supposedly tamed the great Logan Fraser.” She turns, catching me standing closer than I meant to. “Even if we both know better.”

The air changes between us like it always does when we’re this close. Living together means dozens of these moments—reaching for the same coffee mug, passing in hallways, pretending we don’t feel this pull, trying hard not to pull each other into a maddening kiss.

My phone buzzes, breaking the moment. It’s a text from Victoria.

Don’t be late.

Bella steps away to check her own messages. Her expression shifts slightly.

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