Page 79 of The Fake Dating Plan

I rolled my eyes. If only she knew that I had given my meddling family more than I owed them. If only she knew how fake—

My phone buzzed again and again a few more times. I picked it up. All were messages from the chat.

Dad:Are you sure? He asked for the family ring a few days ago!

My mother’s eyes widened and she looked up from her phone. “Is that true?”

I gave her a curt nod.

Tiago:What did he do to her again?

I rolled my eyes at that one.

Francie:I’m on my way to the penthouse, I’ll ask him.

As soon as I read it, I heard the door opening. A few moments later, Francie was coming into the kitchen wearing clothes I’ve never seen her in. A tight black dress with gold stripes and stilettos. She even had makeup on.

“Where are you coming from?”

“Out? Does it matter? What matters is you and Emilia. Why did you break up?”

I thought that her looking the exact opposite mattered more, but it seemed I was the only one concerned with that. Mom was agreeing with Francie, saying, “He drank himself to sleep last night. When I came in, he was half-dead on the bar counter.”

“Oh my god,” Francie covered her mouth, “is it starting again?”

“I’m fine!”

“That’s what he keeps saying,” Mom said.

“That means he’s not fine,” Francie said.

“Can you all mind your own businesses and leave me alone. Including closing that awful gossip chat?”

Mom turned to Francie, “He knows about The Axmelia Files.”

“Mom!” Francie, “how could you!”

“I made a mistake! Technology is not my thing, as you know.”

Francie sighed and turned to me. “Why did you break up?”

“She cheated on me,” I said, pouring down the hot beverage down my throat, “Again. Maybe she was cheating on him with me, who knows.”

“That can’t be true. I thought things were good with you two. I mean, during the holidays you two were—What about the ring dad was referring to?”

“I didn’t propose, because like I said, she’s a fucking cheat. What more do you want me to say!” I might have said that last part with more force than necessary because they both flinched.

“I’m sure there must be some misunderstanding. The two of you are magical together.”

“There’s nothing that can be done.”

“Isn’t there? I mean—”

“Mom, there’s nothing that can be done because Emilia and I were faking it the entire time!” And just like that, it was out. Her face broke down in shock.

“That can’t be true,” Francie said.

“Sadly, it is. In return for the buyout she asked, she would play the role of girlfriend for me and for the benefit of all of you and this other guy I wanted to piss off.”

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