Page 46 of Never Fake Date the Financier
“There’s a balcony through there. Only the staff use it. We could?—”
“I’m not sure you should be talking to your fake girlfriend like that.”
Fake. I hate that word. Hearing it cross her lips makes my chest burn. I thought I’d made progress. I thought she felt the same, but maybe I’m wrong. Maybe…
“Is that how you feel? Do you think this is fake?”
She pauses for a few moments, glancing at the sea of people around us. I follow her gaze, but everyone blends into one indiscernible blob. I can’t pick out a single face. Nothing seems familiar. Even the music sounds like nothing more than unintelligible noise.
“I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“Then I’ll tell you what I think. My thoughts about you and me and this whole arrangement couldn’t be any clearer.”
I’ve known it from the moment I saw her face in my office. A forgotten part of me, dormant for decades, stirred. Woke up when I touched her. And now it’s wide awake, frothing at the mouth, begging her to see it.
“Adrian!” My brother claps me on my back. “Why aren’t you guys dancing? Are you having a good time? Do you need another?—”
Motherfu—Why now? Could he have waited one more minute? Hell, another ten seconds would have sufficed.
“We’re great, Max,” I say, deflecting him before he goes into full caretaker mode. I don’t recall the last time I saw my brother drunk. If I weren’t so annoyed, I’d find it somewhat amusing.
“Great,” he says, clapping my back again before turning to Ella. “I’m so glad you’re here and that it’s not awkward at all.”
Ella and I stare at him, but he’s so tipsy that he doesn’t realize the awkward silence hanging between us.
“Not awkward at all,” Ella responds with a snorted laugh.
He sighs, wrapping his arm around me as he focuses on Ella. “I can’t believe this guy is actually in a relationship after everything Sariah’s told me.”
I grit my teeth, the muscles in my jaw cinched tight as I see Ella’s demeanor shift.
“Oh?
Ella looks concerned. I’m feeling concerned. What is Max on about? Maybe drunk Max isn’t as fun as I thought.
“I can’t believe I said that.” Max pauses and then laughs. “I’m drunk. I don’t know what I’m saying. Forget what I said. It’s nothing. You two are great together.”
“So are you and Sariah,” Ella says, ignoring Max’s comment. “Adrian and I are so happy for you two. Sariah is such a wonderful person.”
“So wonderful,” Max says, slightly unsteady on his feet.
Beyonce’sSingle Ladiesstarts blaring, and immediately, Max sobers up. Stone faced as he looks up at the ceiling like he sees the damn Bat-Signal. “This is my song.”
“It is?” I ask.
“Inside joke with Sariah. I have to find her.” He spins around, walks a few feet before spinning around again, losing his balance, and catching himself on a chair. “Lillian wanted me to let you know she’s ready for that dance you promised her.”
“That doesn’t sound like something I’d promise because I don’t dance.”
Max shrugs and then heads for the dance floor, walking into a table before readjusting course.
Ella turns to me. “That was… interesting.”
“One word for it, I guess.”
I have no idea what Sariah told Max. There isn’t some secret in that relationship, at least, not that I know of. But I hate how such an offhand comment threw a wrench in Ella’s mood. It’s clear she’s trying to shake it off, but there’s a distinct change in her demeanor.
“I have no idea what he meant by that.”
