Page 22 of The Great Dating Fake Off
She resumes her march toward the elevator.
Enzo jumps in front of her to cut her off.
Alessia attempts to sidestep him, and he sidesteps her right back. The two of them start circling each other as if they might start throwing blows or wrestling at any second like they have a million times before.
“Stop trying to run away before I throw you in the fountain,” Enzo gripes, arms outstretched like a human wall. “You know I’ll do it.”
Alessia ducks beneath his arm and lunges for the elevator, pressing the call button.
Visibly exasperated, he gives up on Alessia and turns his what the fuck expression on me. “Why were you holding hands with my sister? And I saw you in the lounge hugging each other. Are you trying to get your dinner poisoned by her girlfriend?”
Wait. He doesn’t know? I turn to Alessia. “Mazzelli. What’s going on?”
She’s staring hard at the illuminated arrow above the elevator door, cracking her fingers one at a time at her side. With a sigh, she makes a painstakingly slow turn to face us.
“Oh, right.” She drags out the i which makes her look like she’s grimacing. “I forgot to tell Enzo.”
“You forgot to tell him?” I echo. “You couldn’t shoot him a text on our long drive in, or maybe tell him ahead of time?”
Alessia’s sheepishness fades in a flash. “Okay, fine. I knew he wouldn’t like my plan so I wanted to wait until he had no choice but to accept it. Sue me.”
Enzo lifts his hands. “Accept what?”
“Sebastian is my date, okay?” She lifts her chin and appraises our surroundings with a careful eye. “We’re in love and shit. Don’t worry, the caterer is well aware of this plan and she’s on board, so if we could move on to other topics—”
“You’re throupling with Sebastian and Eloise now? You don’t even like men.”
The elevator arrives, and the doors open with a swoosh.
Alessia steps halfway inside to block it from closing. She casts a longing look toward its empty interior.
I cross my arms. “Do not get in that elevator.”
Benji struts past me and Alessia. “If you’ll all excuse me.”
Nora fists his suit jacket and drags him back out. “Uh-uh. We’re not going anywhere.” Her curious gaze bounces to mine. “I’ve got unanswered questions.”
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter. “It’s not what you think.”
“Fine.” Alessia steps back out. “No one is throupling. This is your standard, run-of-the-mill fake date. I don’t want our relatives to know about me and Eloise yet, and I don’t want drama during your big week, okay? We know how Dad is, and he’s just one person. Imagine if a hundred of them started on their bullshit.”
Enzo’s face falls. “Less…”
“You didn’t tell our family about dating Rosalina for a year. You can hardly blame me for keeping my private life under wraps, can you?”
A frown wrinkles his forehead. “Well, I don’t want you to lie for me. Ever. And I hate that you have to lie for yourself. I’ll kick anyone out on their asses if they so much as—”
“Nope, nope, nope,” Alessia chants. “That’s why Sebastian and I are doing this. So we can avoid any repercussions that will interfere with what is already a dramatic week. The unhinged Ferraros will keep you plenty—” She cuts off abruptly and shoots Benji an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I forgot you were one of them.”
Benji shrugs. “My family is unhinged. That’s why Nora and I are faking it, too.”
Nora elbows him. “Dude. Literally no one asked and you’re volunteering this information? No more tequila for you.”
Enzo turns to Benji and Nora, as if clocking them for the first time. “So, you’re Rosalina’s brother. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Benji says. “I’ve heard nothing about you. I just found out you were dating my sister a few weeks ago.”
I stifle a laugh. This guy is blunt even when he’s drunk.
