Page 10 of My Fake Lover

»Not in that way.«

»Why? Didn’t you say the kiss was absolutely fantastic?«

»Yeah, but…«

»Don’t say anything else.« She raised her hand and stopped me. »I don’t want to hear these excuses why things wouldn’t work out with a guy. Just promise me one thing…« She looked at me pointedly, so I would listen properly. »Just enjoy it, okay? This is something good happening to you, I can feel it.« She exhaled. »And now that that’s settled… when are we going shopping?«

»Weren’t you listening?«

»Honestly, not really.«

»Low,« I chided her laughingly, and she only responded with a grin.

***

»I’m dying! Shopping with you is like a hiking trip through the Rocky Mountains!« I massaged my own shoulders as we sat in a Starbucks in our favorite mall, treating ourselves to a pick-me-up. Marlow pursed her lips and proudly examined her haul for the next castings, which she would attend if she didn’t get the role she desperately wanted. I kept my fingers crossed for her, even though I’d had enough of her dragging me through every single store today.

»Stop being so dramatic. When Max sees your outfits, it’ll all be worth it.« She sipped her caramel macchiato. »Especially when he sees the things you bought with his pretty credit card.«

I held back a grin, thinking about him opening his bills. »A small compromise.« I shrugged, and Low gave me a meaningful look.

My phone made a sound in my bag, and I pulled it out. It was a number I didn’t recognize.

You used the card.

My God, he already knew? And what was this sentence? Was it a test, and I had failed, or did he just not know how to handle what I had bought with it?

He confused me at least as much as I supposedly did him. But it gave me immense pleasure to tease him a bit, that was certain. Especially since he had tracked down my number instead of just asking me for it.

»It’s him, isn’t it? Your face takes on a really silly expression,« Low said, chewing her donut contentedly.

»He knows.«

»He’s better than I thought. His stalking skills are impressive.«

»It’s his credit card,« I said, shrugging. »I could have bought a house with it or something.«

»Come on, send him a picture!«

»No, I can’t do that... Or can I?«

»Of course!« She leaned forward a bit and grabbed the matte black bag. »He should spend the entire five days wondering if you’re wearing any of it.«

I chewed on my lower lip. »Alright, give it to me!«

Excitement flooded me as I took the bag from Low and felt the velvety texture of the cream-colored silk between my fingers. I had never owned such high-quality and beautiful underwear before. But once I started, there was no stopping. Red lace, a semi-transparent black bustier, mid-rise stockings, velvet, and silk. They would undoubtedly feel incredible on my skin. And would Max even care what I wore underneath? We had agreed that we wouldn’t get physically closer than necessary, but only because I had set that rule. So I wouldn’t get too caught up in this thing. The question was: Hadn’t I already?

I stopped my confused thought carousel and took a photo of the bag, with my hand holding the velvet panties between my fingers. Then I sent it off, with the words:

Wardrobe for five days, as Sir requested.

I was well aware of the double meaning of my words as I waited for a response with a pounding heart.

»He’s writing.«

»Of course, he is.«

»He’s deleting it again!« I squealed in disappointment, and Low laughed.

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