Page 27 of My Fake Lover

»It’s wonderful,« I remarked, and even Max hummed in agreement beside me. He stopped a waiter and took two glasses of sparkling wine from him, handing one to me, and then a small plate of food. He politely thanked the waiter and offered me the plate. »I’m still not really used to what a gentleman you are,« I said, grinning, and his eyes sparkled.

»You’ve clearly been out with the wrong kind of men,« he replied, but I didn’t miss the growling undertone. Was he jealous? That couldn’t be!

»I won’t even argue with that.« I clinked my glass of sparkling wine against his, and we took a sip. The cool liquid bubbled down my throat, and the first dizzying effect of the alcohol set in, wrapping me in a soft haze. »It’s kind of sad that I can’t count you among them,« I teased, and he lowered his head a bit towards me.

»What do you mean?«

»Our date isn’t real,« I whispered, and Max stepped even closer.

»No one knows but us.« There was my answer as to whether Ian was involved.

»But that’s enough to burst this bubble, unfortunately.« I sighed.

»Ivy,« he whispered my name, and I clung to my glass of sparkling wine. »As soon as we’re back in New York…« But unfortunately, he didn’t get to finish his sentence. A curvy blonde approached us with a brunette. Both were in their sixties, but in their pretty, colorful dresses and flowers in their hair, they looked much younger and more dynamic.

»Max!« the curvy one greeted him, and a pained expression crossed his face, making me giggle. He shot me a stern look, but that challenging smirk I liked so much was back on his lips.

»Deborah, Mona,« he greeted them coolly, but the women didn’t seem to be bothered.

»You brought a date!« the brunette astutely observed.

»Ivy Wescott,« I said and held out my hand to her. »Very nice to meet you.«

We shook hands.

»I’m Deborah,« said the curvy one, gesturing to her friend. »And this is Mona. We’re Lizzy’s aunts.« They pushed us apart. Max put his hands in his pockets behind them, looking as if he wanted nothing to do with all of this. I found it terribly amusing how much two older ladies, who didn’t mince their words, tormented him. »And even though we thought Max would be perfect for our niece Cynthia, his choice is really quite magnifique!«

»Come on, Deb, stop it with these French words! You only lived in Paris for a month, no one believes you can actually speak French.«

The blonde placed her hand on her ample bosom, embarrassed. »Mona! I’ve told you before, the French lifestyle immediately rubbed off on me!«

The two started a discussion, and I peered over them. Max pulled his phone from his pocket, gesturing as if he had to answer it. He mouthed »sorry« and turned away. I watched his broad back as he left the dinner area and disappeared between tents. I hoped he would come back soon. Not because of Lizzy’s aunts, I could handle them, but because I already missed him by my side. I both hated and loved this feeling simultaneously.

»Where did you two meet, dear?« Deborah asked me, and I told the same story as I had at dinner the night before.

The two giggled, and their eyes sparkled excitedly.

»Between us, if I were thirty years younger, I would have snatched him up myself,« Deborah said, and Mona clicked her tongue.

»You wouldn’t have had a chance.«

»Who says?« And they started arguing again.

»Ladies!« I jumped as someone appeared at my side and placed a hand on my lower back. It was so light that I wondered if I was imagining the touch.

»Oh, Christian!«

»Very nice to meet you!« He said charmingly, making a small bow. »Hi,« he said softly to me, and I smiled in response. »May I perhaps steal Ivy away from you?« he asked the ladies politely.

»How exciting, two men interested in you, Ivy.« Mona gasped delightedly. I shrugged, surprised, because I couldn’t think of a response to that. Christian was no competition for Max.

»Deborah, the first dance is always yours,« he said, and I couldn’t deny that his relaxed charm almost wrapped me around his finger. The women giggled.

»See you later!«

»See you later, lovebirds!«

Christian gently led me through some other people towards the bar. »Sorry, but you looked like you needed to be rescued.« He grinned as he ran his hand through his hair. Up close, I noticed some freckles on his nose that suited him perfectly.

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