AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you want a bite?” His offer takes me by surprise. “You’re practically drooling over there.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t lie to me.” He does that thing with his eyes again, forcing me to look away. “Here,” he says, cutting a sausage in two and dropping half onto my plate. “Taste this.”
I reluctantly accept the sizzling link, which melts in my mouth. “Mmm. So good.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Want more?”
I nod.
A light chuckle escapes his lips as he gives me the other half, adding on some bacon and beans. I devour everything in seconds.
“You clearly wanted a bigger meal. Why didn’t you take one?” he inquires, eyebrows drawing together. “I don’t mind sharing, but it just seems silly.”
“Like I said, we just worked out. Eating that enormous plate of fat would sabotage all the effort I just put in. I have to watch what I’m eating. It’s much easier for me to gain weight than to lose it.”
“First, this is not an ‘enormous plate of fat.’ Sure, there are lipids, but it’s also protein and—overall—it’s energy. The worst thing right now would be to eat something too sweet, which would lead to a blood sugar spike. Carbs and protein are essential in helping our bodies recuperate. Second, you look great. You don’t need to watch your weight. Love your body, Roxy.”
“Yes, sir.” I force a smile. He doesn’t know it, but those were almost the exact same words my therapist used to recite to me all those years ago. The ones I repeat to myself over and over again when things get rough.
8
Pretend, Pretend
Roxy
It’s Friday night, and I’m waiting for Wade to pick me up. But instead of standing patiently, I’m spiralling, pacing the length of my flat like a maniac because I just realised something. Going out for drinks in the hopes of making Karl jealous means actually having to make Karl jealous. With Wade. Meaning Wade and I will have to act like we are actually dating.
Sounds obvious, right? Well, yeah. But call me stupid; I didn’t even think of that. Our first two fake dates were so low on PDA, the idea that tonight would be any different never occurred to me. But of course it will. It has to be. Otherwise, Karl won’t buy it. He’s seen me with boyfriends before, he knows how touchy-feely I am. Why on earth didn’t I think this over? Why didn’t Wade? I can barely handle a date with that man without touching him. How on earth am I going to survive this?
The doorbell barely finishes ringing before I swing the door open.
“That was fas—”
“We have a problem,” I growl, dragging him inside.
“What’s happening?” His eyes rapidly dart from left to right.
“Tonight, we have to pretend we’re together.”
He stares back in confusion. “Yeah, I know. It’s actually been a week.” A grin springs to his face. “I’m pretty sure you were there.”
“Focus,” I say, tilting his chin until he’s facing me. “We actually have to pretend pretend. Karl and Kim will spend the entire evening with us. Not just when the paparazzi are around.”
He pulls my hands off of his face and squeezes them gently. The softness of his palms distracts me again. “I know. It’ll be fine. It’s not like we’ll have to make out in front of them. Or are you guys into some weird stuff?” He arches an eyebrow.
“No,” I say, ignoring his joke. “But some PDA will be expected.”
“Sure. We’ll hold hands. I’ll brush a strand of hair out of your face, maybe put a hand on your knee. If that’s okay?”
I nod and take a deep breath. Yeah, I can handle that . . . I think.
“And maybe a few kisses,” he adds.
That, I’m not sure I can handle. Actually, no. I’m certain I won’t be able to handle it.
“We don’t have to use tongue or go full madly-in-love,” he quickly amends. “Just a peck or two on the lips.”
