The Billionaire's Fake Fiancee - Lauren Wood Page 0,20

please,” I replied, following her deeper into the house towards the kitchen.

I felt a sharp tug at my arm as Kate yanked me back out of Angel’s earshot.

“This is weird,” she hissed. “What do they know about me? Do they think I’m like … your date? Or do they know the whole story?”

I winced. “They know the whole story. Sorry. I felt weird about asking to take Olivia again without telling the truth.”

“Oh, god,” she pressed her fingers to her temples and scrunched up her face. “They must think I’m a total psycho. And what do you mean you felt weird about it? And yet you were perfectly fine with pretending Olivia was your kid and that you had a dead wife!?”

“Lets not start that again. That was different. I didn’t know you then. It’s easier to lie to strangers. Or co-workers … apparently in your case.”

She rolled her eyes as I perked up at the sound of beers hissing in the next room when Angel twisted off the caps.

“I’m too thirsty for alcohol to bicker with you,” I told her, dragging her along. “These are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. They obviously don’t judge you or they wouldn’t have invited you into their home. Now come on.”

“I’m Angel, by the way,” Angel smiled at Kate, handing her one of the bottles.

“Kate. Nice to meet you.” The two shook hands and Kate took a long swig of her beer while Angel returned to getting the food ready.

“So, you own a restaurant?” Kate asked her, leaning against the countertop.

“Yup! Thanks to Joey. Did Ben tell you the crazy story of how we got together?”

Joey appeared in the doorway as soon as she said it, but immediately froze. “Oh no. Not the story again. Ben, why don’t you come hang out with me and let the girls talk? I just got a new stereo system the other day I want to show you.”

I looked to Kate, checking to see if she was okay. But she nodded and motioned towards Joey to shoo me along. I felt the strange urge to kiss her on the cheek before walking out, but we weren’t around her co-workers anymore. That wasn’t going to fly.

“So, I take it the picnic went well? Maybe better than you expected? I didn’t think you’d be bringing her back here. Since it was just a friendly favor and all,” Joey said as he led me into the den.

“I didn’t expect to either, but you know … your place was on the way to hers and all,” I rolled my shoulders, trying to play it cool. I didn’t need another lecture about not talking about my feelings. I was already doing enough of that on my own in my head.

“Uh-huh. Sure it was,” he smirked.

After listening to a few songs and watching a few movie trailers on the new surround sound system, to demonstrate its full effects, Angel called us back into the kitchen to eat. We gathered around the table and each cracked open another beer. Hanging with my own friends was a million times better than being with Kate’s co-workers. I felt relaxed and at home. I could really be myself.

But it was weird having a girl around them. The only time I had really done that was with random dates and hook-ups at the club. They’d meet girls in passing as I was taking them out the door, back to my place. I had never invited a girl I was actually interested in to sit down and eat with us in one of our homes. Kate was putting me into all sorts of new, terrifying situations.

“These ribs are to die for, Angel!” Kate marveled as she took another big bite.

“Thanks! It’s kind of a risk. My restaurant’s patrons are a little on the fancy side. It’s going to be interesting to see if they’ll dig into something so messy with their fingers while they’re on their dates and expensive business meetings. But food is food. And I say if you have to work a little or get messy to eat it … it makes it even better.”

“Definitely worth the mess,” she snickered, her own mouth covered in sauce before she wiped it away and washed it down with some beer.

“Ben told Joey you work in marketing?”

“Yes. At one of the biggest firms in Cherry Falls, but I worked for them in a different location before this one. But I love this city. I guess that’s why I’m so desperate to get promoted here. I’d hate to