Page 97 of Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It

I scoff. “How will more lies fix this?”

“Until we hit a million, we keep up the act. And you can stop judging me. I’m not the only one being dishonest.” she firesback. “You brought your parents into this. I told you to be honest from the start.”

Well, crap. She’s right.

I misled my family… at first. But my feelings for her? That part isn’t a lie, not anymore.

“You said not to ruin anyone’s Christmas,” she continues. “I’m making sure that doesn’t happen. We’ll have a whirlwind engagement, followed by a very public breakup in L.A., and then you can return to your revolving door of starlets.”

I wince. “Damn, Chase. Don’t sugarcoat it or anything.”

Beneath the sarcasm, I’m fucking shattered. Does she honestly believe I’m still that guy—Hollywood’s favorite playboy? A man incapable of depth or commitment? Can’t she see how she’s reshaped my world—redefined my priorities? Because of her, I’ve caught a glimpse of a future that I want more than anything.

“Ethan, please,” she says, her shaky tone threatening to break me. “Do your job and let me do mine. This is hard enough.”

I take a step toward her, my heart pounding against my ribcage. “This might have started as a lie, but it’s become the most real thing in my life. I’m asking you—no, begging you—don’t shut down the possibility of ‘us’ before we even see where it could go.”

I catch the glimmer of tears forming. I reach out, desperate to pull her close, to make her understand. But she steps back, putting miles between us with that single movement.

“Weren’t you listening? I’ve already written our ending. Fake engagement. Public breakup. The end.”

She disappears into the tiny bathroom, the door clicking shut with a finality that makes my stomach drop. The flimsy barrier might as well be made of tissue paper for all the privacy it offers. I hear her muffled sniffles, each one ripping out a piece of my heart.

“Ethan, you need to leave. You’re late for wardrobe.” Her voice comes out strained and raw.

I rake my fingers through my hair, pacing the trailer like a ticking time bomb. This is fucking insane. All of it. From the charade we’re putting on, to the genuine emotions I can’t shake, right down to this ridiculous on-camera proposal.

And yet…

I pick up the script, flipping the pages. Chase’s handwriting is all over it, neat little notes in the margins. Always the perfectionist, even when she’s crafting the most complicated lie.

She’s not wrong—it’s a happily-ever-after ending for everyone… except us.

And it will destroy both our careers if we mess it up.

What’s the use? She’s made her choice, and no impassioned plea will change her mind now. She’ll stick to her script no matter how I feel.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turn away without another word. My feet carry me to the exit, each step feeling like I’m sinking into concrete. I’m not just leaving the trailer but also the foolish hope I’d been clinging to.

***

“Action!” Chase’s voice cutsthrough the air.

Game face: Activated. Charm: Turned up to full blast.

I’m waiting on stage when the camera’s light goes red. “Hey, beautiful people. Ethan Barrett here, your friendly neighborhood King of Christmas. Wait till you hear what I’ve got planned.”

Dancers spin around me in their Santa outfits, a holiday tornado of red and white.

“I’m personally inviting you to the huge livestream event before the premiere of my new movie,Fa La La Love.”

On cue, fake snow starts to fall. It catches in my eyelashes, but I don’t miss a beat.

“Trust me, you won’t want to miss this live event—musical performances, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and… a big moment for me. I’m going to ask the love of my life, Chase Pemberton, a very special question. And hopefully, she’ll make my Christmas wish come true.” I toss in a wink, pushing aside the tightness in my chest at those words.

Staring into the camera, I carefully avoid Chase’s gaze. I’m a consummate professional—an actor who can summon the emotions demanded by the scene while ruthlessly suppressing my own. No doubt my future therapist will sail off on a yacht named after me from this soul-crushing experience.

“Be sure to subscribe, because it’s all happening tonight, only on the Cherish Channel.” I hit my ending pose, and the dancers surround me with jazz hands.

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