Page 22 of The Fake Dating Plan

She dropped the plaque with more force than necessary. “I hate it.”

“You hate everything father gives me.”

“No!” Her Spanish accent jumped out. “That’s not true at all.” It usually thickened when she was lying.

“Remember when you gave me that robot for my tenth birthday and dad gave me the same one in a different color and you said you hated dad’s because it was green?”

“That’s different. Logan should have known you hated green.” I couldn’t argue with that. My dad could be obtuse sometimes. I went over to my desk and plopped the briefcase on top. Another present from dad. “What brings you here,” I said.

She glided to the sofas and perched herself on one. “I heardshe’sback in town and wanted to see how you were doing.”

I knew whoshe was, and I didn’t need to act like I didn’t. “Did Tiago tell you?”

She looked wounded. “I don’t need him to tell me anything when I follow everything about you. When I saw a picture of the two of you in the news, I had to come here.”

“Had to mother? It’s not what you think. You might be surprised to know that Emilia and I are on good terms.”

“Is that so?” She stood up and came to where I was standing, and brushed my cheek. “We all know how bad it got for you after she you know…”

“I was fine then as I am now.”

She leaned back, her eyes scanning my features. “Does that mean? Are you two back together?”

“What that means is none of your business.”

“Oh, Ax. Why do you have to say it like that?”

“Mom, I'm fine. Go bother any one of your kids.”

“Tiago is doing fine. Francie can take care of herself,” she pinched my cheek, “it’s you I worry about most, my favorite son.”

I suppressed a scoff. I had heard her call Tiago that when she didn’t know I was listening. Francie once said she calledherher favorite child.

“If you don’t stop worrying about me, this company will crumble.”

She chuckled. “If you’re fine, then you don’t mind me having lunch with her.”

“Lunch? What? Why?”

“I asked her out for lunch. She said yes. So, we’re having it. I thought to give you a heads up first. Goodbye.” She leaned in and I subconsciously bent down to receive her kiss on my cheek.

“See you later, son.”

As soon as she left my office, I felt a vibration in my pocket. I fished out my phone. There were a few unread messages on it. The latest one was from Caiden.

Caiden:Heard you got back together with Emilia.

The fuck.

Me:Stop reading gossip sites.

Caiden:So why did you bring her into the company if it’s not to get back with her.

I sent him an eyes-rolling emoji. Then I sent another text.

Me:Good business. We needed something new. Why are you in my business don’t you have a brand-new kid to take care of?

Caiden:He’s sleeping.

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