Page 63 of Pretend To Be Mine

“Only because you keep me steady.”

“Come on. We need coffee and carbs before the next round.”

“Next round?” I asked.

“Three more interviews. But they’re just internet stuff, much easier than morning TV.”

The donuts were exactly what I needed to catch my second wind.

He was right that the remaining interviews were casual, fun even. We did video calls with fashion bloggers and lifestyle websites who were thrilled to talk to us. We managed to find our rhythm, playing off each other naturally, making each other laugh.

By the time we finished the last one, it was almost two in the afternoon.

“You have a few hours,” Adrian said, checking his watch. “The show doesn’t start until eight, but we need to be at the venue by six for final prep. Why don’t you go relax? Take a nap, decompress.”

“It’ll take too long to get back to my place and return,” I said.

“Then use my office.” He gestured around us. “It’s private, there’s a couch, bathroom, TV, snacks in the mini-fridge. Make yourself at home.”

The offer made me feel cared for. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

“Elizabeth, I’m literally engaged to you. I think you can use my couch.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I need to go handle some last-minute details, but I’ll come get you at five-thirty. Get some rest.”

After he left, I stood in the middle of Adrian Blackwell’s office, taking it in. This was where he worked, where he made decisions that affected the entire company. And he’d just given me free run of it, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I curled up on his couch, expensive leather that was somehow still comfortable, and let myself pretend. Pretend this was my life. Pretend I really was Adrian’s fiancée and I belonged in this world. That I had a right to be here.

All those looks Adrian gave me—were any of them real? The sex had definitely been real. Mind-blowingly, life-alteringly real.

And the feelings I was trying so hard to ignore? Those were real too.

That was the problem. I had developed actual feelings for Adrian Blackwell in less than a week. How was that even possible? How could you fall for someone that fast?

Because he’s Adrian Blackwell, I thought. That’s how.

He had shown me sides of himself no one else got to see. I was sure of that. I knew he had never had a serious girlfriend. Was there anyone that had been close enough to get to know him?

But our arrangement would end. We’d stage our breakup, I’d get my job, and we’d go our separate ways. That was the deal.

The thought made my chest ache.

I pulled out my phone and called Chris to check in with him.

“Hey, sis!” His voice was cheerful. “Big night tonight! How are you feeling?”

“Nervous,” I admitted. “Excited but nervous. It’s all so much bigger than I imagined.”

“You’re going to be great. I’ve seen the press coverage. Everyone loves you two together.”

“Yeah, well, we’re getting pretty good at pretending.” Even to my own ears, I sounded sad.

“Lizzie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.” I curled up tighter on the couch. “Are you coming tonight?”

“Of course! I’ll be there. Do you need me to come to the venue early?”

“No, I’ll see you there. Adrian’s coming to get me in a couple hours.”