Page 18 of Faking with Three

He’s teasing, but there’s an edge to it—a challenge almost. I feel a reluctant smile tug at my lips. “You know, Jax,” I say slowly, “you might just be the backup plan I didn’t know I needed.”

Marcus rolls his eyes, clearly not amused by the turn this conversation has taken. “This isn’t a joke, Jax,” he says sharply. “We’re already on thin ice here. We can’t afford any more screw-ups, especially not on the first episode.”

Jax just shrugs, looking unbothered. “Relax, Marcus,” he says, giving me a wink. “I’ve got this. And besides, how bad could it really be?”

I catch the look Marcus shoots him—a mix of exasperation and something else I can’t quite place. It’s almost like... jealousy? The thought surprises me, but I push it aside.

“Well,” I say, folding my arms and smiling at them both, “since it looks like my date isn’t showing up, I guess I’ve got no choice but to let you two entertain me instead.”

“Hey, don’t start the party without me,” Ethan calls out, jogging up to our table with his easy grin, completely oblivious to the tension between Jax and Marcus. He drops into the chair next to me, his knee brushing mine. I feel a spark zip up my leg, and I’m starting to think I might be in over my head here.

I raise an eyebrow, looking from one handsome face to the next. “Oh, fantastic,” I deadpan, waving a hand between them. “Looks like I’ve got three dates now. This day just keeps getting better and better.”

Marcus tries to look serious, but I can see the hint of amusement in his eyes. On the other hand, Jax gives me a slow, teasing smile, like he’s up for the challenge. “What can I say, Liv?” he says. “You’re in high demand.”

Before I can respond, the waitress appears with a tray full of food. “Here you go,” she says cheerily, setting down plates of sliders, fries, and a colorful assortment of appetizers. The spread looks amazing, but it’s clear she’s a little confused, her eyes flicking over the three guys surrounding me. “Uh, is everyone here, or…?”

“Yep, we’re all here,” Ethan says quickly, flashing her a grin that could probably charm a statue. “Might as well stay for this,” he adds, turning to me with a wink. “I mean, it’d be a crime to waste good food.”

Jax smirks, grabbing a slider off the plate and taking a big bite. “Hear, hear,” he says, his mouth half-full. “Besides, it’s not like Olivia came all this way just to leave hungry.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, I guess I don’t have a choice then.”

Jax notices, too. He leans in, his voice dropping just a bit. “You look good when you smile, Liv,” he says softly, and it sounds genuine like he actually means it.

I blink at him, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Careful, Jax,” I reply, trying to sound casual. “You keep that up, and people might start thinking you’re flirting with me.”

He tilts his head, pretending to consider it. “Maybe I am,” he says with a wink.

Marcus rolls his eyes, clearly done with Jax’s antics. “Focus, Casanova,” he says dryly. “We still need to figure out what the hell we’re doing here now that the original date bailed.”

I glance over at Ethan, half-hoping he’ll say something flirty or at least look at me like Jax does. But he’s too busy scribbling notes on a napkin, deep in thought, his brows furrowed in concentration.

I swallow down the tiny knot of disappointment, pasting on a bright smile instead. “Well, whatever we do,” I say, raising my glass in a mock toast, “at least the food’s good. And if nothing else, I’m glad I get to hang out with you three.”

Ethan glances up then, his eyes meeting mine, and for just a second, there’s something there—something warm and almost... fond? But then it’s gone, replaced by his usual easygoing smile.

“Same here, Liv,” he says, raising his glass to clink it against mine. “Same here.”

CHAPTER 6

OLIVIA

"So,this is the high life of WeTube fame?" I joke, taking a slider and inspecting it like it’s a rare delicacy.

"Hey, don’t knock it," Ethan says, grabbing a piece of cheese from the board. "This is the best part of the job. Free food and great company."

"Speak for yourself," Marcus mutters, swirling his glass of water. "I’m just here to make sure Jax doesn’t get us into more trouble than we’re already in."

Jax smirks, leaning back in his chair like he’s lounging at a poolside. "You wound me, Marcus," he says with a mock look of hurt. "I’m a perfect gentleman, especially when there’s a beautiful lady involved."

"Beautiful and skeptical," I shoot back, popping the slider into my mouth. "But you’re good at this, I’ll give you that."

He raises an eyebrow. "Good at what? Being charming? It’s a burden, but I manage."

"Please," Marcus interrupts, looking between us with a dry smile. "Can we keep the ego in check for at least five minutes? I’d like to get through one conversation without needing a shovel for all this nonsense."

Ethan laughs, a genuine, warm sound that makes me wish he’d direct more of that energy my way. Instead, he turns to me, and for a second, I think maybe, just maybe, he’s going to flirt a little. Instead, he says, "So, Liv, what do you think? Is this enough to make you reconsider bailing on us before we even start?"

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