“Likereallystaring. They’re not even trying to hide it,” she says with disgust.
Brushing a lock of hair from her face, I tuck it behind her ear. At my touch, her face softens. “Pretend they’re not here and focus on me. Youarewith the hottest guy in the room.”
Laughter springs from her lips. That’s better. This is real.
With an amused expression, she says, “Is that so? I think the guy in the gray suit at the next table is super-sexy.”
I quietly growl and nip at her jaw. Her body quivers. Yeah, she’s relaxing. “You only have eyes for me, Pixie.” I know she’s only joking, but the thought of her looking at another man makes my gut churn. I selfishly want all of her attention.
Before she can respond, a waitress comes over to our table. “Hello, Ms. Aldin, Mr. Alessi. Are you ready to order?” Her attention flicks from me to Penny, and I can tell she’s taking us in. Probably fishing for juicy details to pass onto the other staff.
We pull apart to look at the menus, my thoughts far from food. I give it a quick glance. Penny orders penne alla vodka, and Iorder the same. We both could do with a drink, and I ask for a bottle of merlot.
Like we hoped, it doesn’t take long for word to get out. Through the window and past the garden edge, paparazzi are arriving and setting up their cameras. After getting Penny to relax, her body stiffens again and fear is etched on her face.
I lean toward her, making out as if I’m nibbling her ear, and I whisper, “Relax. This won’t work unless it looks real.”
Turning her head to face me, she says, “I’m used to people looking at me. It’s part of my job. These people are scrutinizing us. I feel like an ape in a zoo.”
“Want me to throw shit at them?”
Her head tosses back, and she laughs out loud. The sound warms my chest. Penny is getting under my skin, and I’m not sure how to stop it.
“Look at me. Not them,” I say.
She does what I say, and I get caught in her gaze. This is dangerous territory for me. Because while I’m looking in her bright blue eyes I’m scared I’ll fall in.
“As long as they keep their distance and don’t abuse me for being a whore, I’ll be okay.” She adjusts the collar of my shirt and places a light kiss on my cheek. Now she’s getting into the spirit of things.
“When you’re with the hottest guy in the room—no, in all of New York City—they’re thinking what a fucking lucky bitch.”
She tosses her head back and laughs. “Conceited much?”
I shrug. “Just stating the obvious.”
If this banter keeps a smile on her face and convinces everyone this is the real deal, I’ll keep it up. For Penny. For show. This is not for me, I remind myself.
“Do you think it’s working?” She gnaws at her bottom lip.
I take her chin in my fingers and place a light kiss on her lips. Before I can deepen it like I’ve wanted to do since we’vesat down, the waitress arrives with our meals. The interruption keeps the kiss at a PG rating.
The waitress gives us a big, approving smile and places our plates on the table. “I love the two of you together. I’m so happy for you both,” she says before she walks away.
“It looks like it’s working,” I say. “We could win an Oscar for our performance. Our acting is brilliant.”
A shadow crosses Penny’s eyes. “Yes, we’re good,” she says with a smile that looks stiff on her face. I hate how this is taking a toll on her. She picks up her fork and starts eating her pasta.
A few moments later, Penny’s attention is drawn to the front of the restaurant. Her mouth drops open on a gasp.
Following her gaze, my jaw clenches tight. “What the fuck is Darren doing here?” Word must be spreading. He’s not the attention we want to attract.
“I don’t know.” Her voice shakes like she’s dreading what’s to come.
He walks toward us, but before he reaches our table, I stand up and shield Penny from him. There’s no way I’m going to let this piece of shit near her. When he reaches us, he tries to step around me, but I block his path.
“Get out of my way,” he demands.
If we weren’t sure whether we grabbed the attention of the diners before, we have it now. All eyes are focused on us.
