Page 65 of Never Fake Date the Financier
My girl’s goingto town on that burger. Absolutely demolishing it. And I can’t stop watching her. I swear there’s not a damn thing about her that I don’t find sexy.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” She sets her burger down, wiping her face with her napkin. “I’m acting like a rabid animal. I swear I don’t always eat like this.”
I can’t help but smile, neglecting my own food in front of me.
“Understandable. I’d probably do the same after eating nothing but vegetables and carbs.”
She smiles and then glances around the dining room. “Are you sure it’s okay? We haven’t decided when we’re going to tell your family the truth.”
She’s so nervous. She spent ten minutes wondering if she should keep up the act and order something “Gabriella” would order. I’ve tried to make it clear to her that I’m done with the sham. It doesn’t matter if my parents find out now or months down the line. The only thing that matters to me is Ella.
“Everything’s going to be fine.” I reach over, grabbing her hand. “I promise.”
I run my thumb over her fingers, and eventually, her tension fades. “Good. Because this burger isdelicious.And the bacon?” She fans herself. “Definitely my favorite meat right now.”
“I’d beg to differ. I think?—”
“Adrian…” If looks could kill…
I sigh, leaning back. “Point taken. How about a change in subject?”
Ella pauses mid-bite. “I’d love that.”
“When we get back, I want to take you out on a proper date.”
Ella almost chokes, but she recovers, swallowing her bite and then taking a big sip of her water.
“A date?”
“Yeah, they tend to precede what happened last night. This morning…” Another look. I pause, smiling. “Okay. But how about it? I know the best spot in the city. Know the chef. You can have a front-row seat in the kitchen, too.”
“Just throwing your money around again?”
I snort. “Actually, the price is a steal. Just the cost of the ingredients.”
“Okay, this is sounding a little suspicious.”
“You’ll be put to work too. Can’t make a great meal without a great sous chef by my side.”
“Oooookay. You’re going to cook for me?”
I take a sip of my water. “I’m looking at it as a little collaboration. A team effort. Because that’s how I view us. A team. A united front. Partners in crime. What do you think?”
Ella mulls it over for a few moments. “Canyou cook?”
I laugh. “I make a mean spaghetti and meatballs. And my salad tossing skills are…” Her eyes flare…don’t,they say. “Well, I’ll let you be the judge.”
“So long as the wine keeps flowing. I think it might work.”
“Good to hear it. And then we could jet off back here again for a week to compare. Only this time we’ll stay atSplendido Mare.”
She snorts. “You’re too much.Thisis too much.” She sighs. “Dating a billionaire. I’m not sure I’ll get used to this.”
I slide my hand over to her, twining our fingers together. “This is only the beginning. And now that you caught that bouquet, I think I might have to?—”
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Lillian’s voice cuts through our bubble, cold and sharp. “Bacon cheeseburger? You’re flaunting it now, aren’t you?”
“Lillian,” I growl. I tried to keep my voice neutral, but I’m finding it difficult. Lillian needs to disappear. I have no idea why she’s latched onto me, but it’s embarrassing at this point. “Was there something you needed?”
