Page 44 of Fake it For Good
“Let’s do this.” She slipped her hand under my arm and held on.
She was a pro. She charmed everyone we met at the party. There was a natural ease about her. She made it easy to be at the party. I didn’t feel like I was on the spot. I could talk or not talk. I could simply be an observer.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” she said when a couple of investors approached.
“I can get it for you,” I offered.
She patted my arm. “You need to do this. I don’t want to monopolize the conversation.”
“You’re not,” I said and watched my lifeline walk away.
I didn’t really like these things. I always felt a little out of place. I was new money. The investors were always old money. They had an uncanny knack for intimidating me. I had more money than them, I was technically more successful, and I knew I was better looking. But I was still the new kid on the block.
I kept an eye on Noelle, ready to jump in and rescue her. She didn’t need rescuing. I sure as hell did. She caught me looking at her while she was involved in a conversation with a couple of women. She excused herself and made her way to me.
“How are you doing?” she asked. She gave me a quick kiss before turning to face the investors staring me down.
I couldn’t stop smiling. She’d kissed me and it felt so natural.
16
NOELLE
Ifelt like I was able to read his emotions. When he looked at me, I saw him quietly begging for help. He looked like a lost boy in need of saving. I knew that was likely not the case, but it didn’t stop me from rushing to his side.
“Are you ready to check out these dolls?” I asked him.
He groaned. “Do I have to?”
“Yes,” I said with a tight smile. I could feel people watching us. One of the women I had been talking to was a designer or something. She wanted to know Cane’s opinion. I didn’t have the heart to tell her he couldn’t even look at the damn things. “Everyone is waiting to see what the toy guru thinks about these ugly-ass dolls. Pretend to like them.”
“I’m going to need a lot more than champagne to do that,” he muttered.
“Play nice,” I said.
He pouted until I gave him another kiss. “I think I could get used to those kisses,” he said, smiling.
“You’re my fiancé,” I reminded him. “I’m expected to give you kisses.”
“Is that the only reason you’re giving me kisses?” he asked, his smile softening.
I was trying to pretend last night didn’t happen. I didn’t know if it was a fluke. I didn’t know if he’d been drunk or what it meant for our relationship now. It wasn’t hard to kiss him. I liked it. Maybe too much, but that was a problem for another day.
“I think we both know it isn’t,” I said with a coy smile. “Now, smile.”
We stood in front of the table with a variety of dolls on display. Creepy didn’t even apply. Something was seriously wrong with the dolls. Like their heads were too small and their noses were massive. The hands were big and the arms small. I wasn’t sure if it was one of those anime things or what.
“Is this real?” he whispered close to my ear.
I bit back a laugh. “I’m not sure. Is it?”
“I feel bad,” he said. “I think I’m supposed to say something nice, but I don’t get it. His grandfather was an artist. He made some pretty amazing toys.”
“Is this his first time?” I asked.
“Yes,” he answered.
“Okay, then you support him,” I said. “Tell him you hope he’s successful.”
