Page 99 of The Fake Dating Plan

“I wouldn’t dream of touching it. We could have it in writing.”

“What about Chad?”

I hadn’t thought about Muscle Face and that they were dating. “I don’t mind sharing you,” I said, even though it felt like pulling teeth.

She chuckled. “My god, you’re serious.”

“Whatever it takes to earn your trust again.”

“Fine.” I felt the shackles of doubt that had bound me to loosen. “But it would be on my own terms.”

“That’s great.”

“And slow.”

“I can do slow.” I can do whatever she wants if it gets me back into her life.

The trip back to the office felt surreal. After my agreement with Axel, we had lunch as he promised and brought me back before lunch ended. He was a gentleman the entire time. And when I dropped me at the office, he gave me a hug that was close to platonic, despite the havoc it caused inside me.

I was too dazed to think or do anything else. And true to his word, later in the afternoon, he emailed of our contract with KMVH and the pledge to invest more money into Steel Cute as he had promised. I was still marveling at the email he had sent me when he called.

“Did you see it?”

“Yes. Thank you. So that’s how much you’re willing to put in.”

“Will it be enough? I was telling our investment manager that we need to double it.”

“No, it’s more than adequate. Listen to your investment manager.”

An awkward silence passed.

“Is that all?”

“I don’t know if it’s too soon, but I wanted to know if you’d be free tomorrow evening.”

“Did you have anything planned?”

“Nothing much. Just a simple date.”

“I had investment meetings set up, but since I’ve canceled all of them, I guess, I’m free.”

“Great.”

As soon as the call ended a message came in. A long-winded passage from Maggie saying she was sorry for the article. I rolled my eyes and ignored it. At least the news tide had turned, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling that told me this was all Ax.

A day and an evening later, a knock came on my door. I had already seen his text saying he had arrived at my apartment. Since I was still changing, Laura was the one who answered the door.

“What are you doing here?” I heard her voice echo all the way to my bedroom.

“Emilia told me to come up.”

“Doubt that knowing how much she hates you; she probably wants to body you.”

“Umm.” There was some silence and a few moments later, my phone buzzed.

Ax:Your scary roommate won’t let me in.

I chuckled.

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