Page 33 of The Faking Game

He puts the paper down on his desk. “That’s a tall order.”

“It’s not that tall.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. He looks broader when he does that. He’s so different from any of the men I’ve ever gone on a date with. Maybe that’s good. It will make it easier to pretend. “The dating thing in public, that’s for your safety. But this?” He holds up the list. “If we do this, trouble, then I need our relationship to look ironclad in private too.”

“Ironclad,” I repeat.

“Yes. Parties. Events. Investor dinners.” He taps his knuckles against the desk. “My family.”

“You want us to pretend all the time.”

“Yes. Like you said, I want to… keep matchmaking attempts at bay.”

I dig my teeth into my lower lip. He wants us to sell this, then. I’ve never been in a relationship. But I know how to pretend. How to smile for a camera and make people feel at ease.

“How often will we practice?”

“Once a week,” he says.

“Three times a week.” The next words slip out, tight and teasing. “You don’t really do relationships, so I’m not sure if you’re really an expert in all of this.”

His lips curl at the corner. “We’ve already established that you’re not, so I’m willing to bet I have more experience than you.”

Damn it. I drain the last of my whiskey. “Three times a week. That’s my final offer:”

His eyes narrow. “Three times a week, then.”

Victory makes it hard to think. I’ll be practicing. With him.With West.

“One final thing.” He braces his hands against the edge of the desk behind him. “These lessons? Your brother can never know about them. They stay between us.”

“I’m not in the habit of discussing my private life with him.”

“Don’t start.” He throws back the last of his whiskey. “Or I’m going to be in deep fucking trouble.”

GROUP CHAT

Alex

Saw the pictures of you and little Montclair in the news. Something you want to tell us?

James

Send the picture.

Alex

Attached below.

James

Rafe, if you’re on your way to kill West, consider that he’s the only one of us with a house in America. It’s convenient when I have to visit New York. Much better than a hotel.

West

Thanks for having my back because I’m convenient.

James

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