Page 18 of My Fake Lover

»Should we go back?« I asked, but Max shook his head.

»No.« He didn’t say anything more. He offered no explanation for his behavior, and I knew I wouldn’t get one. He was like a locked fortress, the key to which had been lost. Not even force could open it. Without further ado, I grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.

»What’s this about?« he asked, resisting me slightly. I was pushed back a bit, and again, there was that crackling tension between us as our gazes met.

»Trust me, okay?«

He hesitated, but then nodded, and I breathed a sigh of relief. We went outside, and I led him past the other white fabric tents, aiming for a destination I had briefly noticed during Lizzy’s tour earlier. The tents lay behind us, and the meadow ended at a small wooded area. I pulled Max along, and he let me. As we entered the dark forest, the sun’s sparkle on a water surface immediately drew our attention and guided our path.

We arrived at a narrow dock that extended a short distance over a small lake nestled among the trees. Lizzy had told me that this place was her favorite spot, and I could instantly understand why. Everything felt slower here, and the tranquility immediately permeated one’s own body.

We sat on the edge of the dock, saying nothing. Max unbuttoned his shirt and rolled up the sleeves. He then unfastened the top two buttons of his collar and took a deep breath. I liked the idea that he felt he could breathe freely here with me. My feet dangled just above the water’s surface, and when I looked down, I saw my reflection.

»You agree with me that this whole tent thing is a little crazy, right?« I asked, and he chuckled softly. I glanced at him cautiously.

»A little.« He had his hands braced next to his thighs, gazing into the distance. Finally, his facial expression didn’t seem so tense anymore. »But it’s typical of my brother.«

»Lizzy seems nice.«

This time, he snorted. »If you say so.«

»Hey,« I replied and playfully nudged his shoulder with mine. For the first time, he looked at me again, and I swallowed. »I’m on your side,« I said gently, and he pressed his lips together as if he didn’t believe me. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it myself until that kiss in the tent. »You clearly don’t approve of this wedding.«

»You could say that.«

»But you can’t change it.«

»Not at this point.«

»They love each other, you can tell.«

»Love doesn’t exist,« he replied, and I felt his sadness as if it were my own.

I placed my hand on his. »You don’t always have to be in control. Trust people to handle their own affairs.« As close as we had been in the last few minutes, the insurmountable wall separating Max from everyone else was back just as quickly. His expression hardened, and he pulled his hand away. Instead of agreeing with me, he stood up. »You have no idea,« he muttered, leaving the dock and that brief moment of togetherness. As the crackling of the undergrowth from his footsteps grew quieter, I closed my eyes. Maybe Max was right, and I needed to stay out of this. We weren’t really together or even friends. I was just here to play a role and get the money for Betsy. No feelings, no closeness were a sure bet. But why did I still feel hurt that he didn’t confide in me?

16

Ivy

»And how did you two meet?« Lizzy asked. After the incident at the lake earlier, which had driven us further apart, it wasn’t easy to pretend we were in a happy relationship. Especially since I felt that Ian didn’t believe our act anyway. He probably knew his brother well enough. He watched us with suspicious glances all evening.

We sat in a beautiful dining room with high, ornate ceilings and a built-in fireplace in the corner at a table with Ian, Lizzy, and their parents. I felt like I was at my own execution. My face burned hot, and I tried not to sweat too noticeably. Why did I think this was a good idea? Oh, right, because I had no choice if I didn’t want to end up as a waitress and get Betsy back.

»I have a food truck, and I park it in front of Max’s office building during lunchtime. He’d come to get something from me every day, and then one thing led to another,« I said, placing my hand on Max’s, which lay next to his plate. He seemed tense. Of course, he did. It felt like he wanted to end the entire charade. But I resisted because there was a reason Max had set this up. And whether it was really because his brother wanted to play matchmaker or not, I would see it through to the end.

»Oh, a food truck?« Lizzy’s mom asked with an enthusiastic tone. She was an older version of her with the same honey-blonde hair and doe-brown eyes. She seemed nice, just like Lizzy’s dad, who also gave us his full attention. »So, you’re a cook?« Her eyes sparkled, and I shrugged.

»I serve lobster rolls. I’m not sure if that counts as cooking.«

Finally, Max stirred and looked at me. »Don’t sell yourself short. There’s a reason I come by every lunchtime,« he said, and I smiled cautiously. Was this part of the game, or did he mean it?

»So, it’s just my food, not me?« Everyone laughed except Ian.

»I guess it’s the combination,« he replied, and goosebumps crawled up my spine until he finally took his intense gaze off me and looked around. His fingers searched for mine, and he placed our intertwined hands on his thigh. I could feel the strength of his muscles through the fabric of his pants. He had changed before dinner and now actually wore casual jeans and a shirt. I didn’t know which look I liked better on him. Both, somehow. My heart pounded in my chest.

»That sounds so romantic,« said Lizzy, her eyes becoming dreamy. »Honestly, I never thought Max was the romantic type.«

»Neither did I,« I replied quickly. »But beneath that rough exterior, there are many surprises.« He squeezed my fingers, but I didn’t know if he wanted to stop or encourage my praise. Probably the former.

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