Page 55 of Never Fake Date the Financier
“Lills,” I say through gritted teeth.
The longer I hold this, the higher the chance of my cracking a filling.
“I brought you—Oh,wow. That’s where all the desserts went. And here I thought I had a sweet tooth.” She blows out a long puff of air. “Well, here are the sliders.” She tips her plate and two fall onto the tray.
“You know I can’t eat those.”
“But you can’t say no to a tray full of cake, can you?” she says, a hand on her hip as she wags her finger at me.
Heat pulses in my cheeks, down my neck, and throughout my chest. “This isn’t for me. I thought the others?—”
“Oh, I’m joking, Gabs.” She touches my arm, and I barely resist the urge to recoil. “Lighten up a little. No one likes a downer.”
I will not kill her. I will not kill her. I will…notkill her?
She glances at Adrian. “But I don’t blame you for stress-eating. Must be hard to keep up the charade.”
Do people actually say charade? With a soft A no less? And do people like Lillianactuallyexist? God, it must be a miserable existence.
I shouldn’t indulge her, but I can’t help myself. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you know. But does he?” Her tone makes it clear she’s about to throw down some gauntlets.
My stomach sours a little. Is it possible that she somehow figured it out? Do I care?
…No.
“I’m done.”
I turn, heading toward Adrian. But before I make it a few steps, Lillian snatches my arm, jostling the tray and nearly sending it all to the ground.
“I think so too. I checked out your IMDB. At least I tried to. There’s not a single entry for Gabriella Barbera or anyone close to that name. It’s made up. I can’t help but wonder what else is,” she adds, eyeing my chest.
Je-sus. This girl is something else. I shake out of her grip. This is more of a confrontation than I expected. But when I look around, I don’t see Adrian. They must have wandered off. For the first time tonight, I feel like I’m in this alone. For the first time tonight, I think I’m about to go into battle. I take in a deep breath, exhaling as I turn back to Lillian.
“Gabriella Barbera is my real name. I use a stage name for acting.”
She laughs. “That makes more sense. You’re a porn star.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on. Enough with thischarade. I’ve known from the start that there was something off between you and Adrian. You’re not his type. You’re?—”
“And you think you are?”
She huffs, completely ignoring me. “You’re a terrible actor, and just look around. You don’t belong. You’re not in the same league. “
“You’re…” I can’t even think of a word to describe her. I don’t want to. She’s not worth the effort. The whole time I’ve been here she’s been nothing but prickly and annoying and I don’t want to deal with her shit anymore.
“You’re sad,” I say finally. “You’re stalking your unrequited love’s girlfriend at your sister’s wedding. I’m sure you’ve thought more about Adrian and me than about your sister.”
And for a brief moment, it looks like I might’ve rattled her. But it’s just wishful thinking on my part.
“At least I’m not a liar.”
I shake my head, turn around, and head for the exit after setting the tray down on a table. I’m done. Most of the guests have left anyway, although Uncle Luther is still hanging around. He’s waving his cane, speaking animatedly with a young woman who looks mortified as his nurse tries to intervene. I try once more to catch Adrian, but he and his family are missing. I don’t want to leave him abruptly, but I’m sure he’ll understand.
But most of all, I’m not looking for another scene. I want him to befaraway from Lillian before I tell him what happened. I don’t want to sour the wonderful evening I had with him.
