Page 9 of My Fake Lover

He nodded, but he didn’t look exactly thrilled. A million dollars? I shook my head and laughed inwardly at this absurd sum.

The driver pulled over to the curb, and I looked outside. We were in Brooklyn, in front of my apartment. I narrowed my eyes into slits. »How do you know where I live?«

»You must know your friends, but your enemies even better,« he replied. I pointed a finger at him.

»Was that a joke? Maxwell Holmes knows sarcasm? I’m surprised.« A tiny smile tugged at his beautiful lips, and not for the first time today, I suppressed the urge to pull him close and just kiss him.

»Good evening, Ivy.«

»Sleep well, Max.«

The driver opened the door for me, and I got out of the car. When I reached my apartment upstairs, I looked out the window one more time, and only then did the limousine move and disappear behind the next block of buildings. God, how could a day start like this and end like this? I couldn’t believe I was getting involved in such craziness.

9

Ivy

The letter arrived in a lovely ivory-colored envelope with Max’s initials embossed in silver.

He was so old-fashioned. I rolled my eyes with a grin. Why couldn’t he just send me a text message or an email? No, it had to be a proper invitation. Formal, cold, and very Max. A black credit card fell out of the envelope.

Ivy,

With this card, you can cover everything related to the wedding. You’ll need a wardrobe for five days.

I snorted again. He was just short of calculating the number of my undergarments. Control freak.

I continued reading.

Knowing my brother, we’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors. Plan accordingly.

The wardrobe cost will, of course, not be deducted from the total amount.

A driver will pick you up on Saturday morning at twelve o’clock.

Thank you. Max.

I flipped the letter, but there was nothing else written on the back. No I’m looking forward or Can’t wait. Low’s bedroom door opened, and she came out yawning. I put the letter aside and held up the credit card.

»He really sent me one.«

»No! Really?« She came over and took the card from my fingers. »Told you so. At least a black one. When are we going shopping?«

I stole it back and placed it with the letter on the worn-out coffee table. »I won’t use it.«

»What? Why not? Do you know what you can buy with that?«

»Yes, but I don’t need it.« I shrugged. »I have enough for a five-day wedding.«

»He doesn’t think you have nothing to wear; he wants to do you a favor.«

»Yeah, or he doesn’t want people saying he’s stingy.«

Marlow went to the kitchen, and I followed her. She turned on the coffee maker, and I sat down at the tiny table in the corner. »Don’t you see? He wants to make you happy, not cover himself.«

She turned around with her arms crossed, and I snorted. »Sure, you only say that because you don’t know him. Everything has a purpose for him. Including me.«

»Then let yourself be used.« She wiggled her eyebrows, and I laughed.

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