Page 26 of Faking with Three

I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Might as well. It’s not like I have anything better to do.”

And maybe, just maybe, if Ethan sees me dating—even fake dating his friends, he might realize he likes me.

I scoop Clawdia into my arms, holding her up so Heather can see her on the video call. Clawdia looks absolutely done with me, her fluffy black-and-white tail flicking like an annoyed metronome.

"Here she is," I say, trying to sound cheerful. "The princess herself. Look at that face—she’s been glued to me since I got back."

Heather leans closer to her screen, squinting at Clawdia. "She looks like she’s planning your demise. Did you run out of treats again?" Then her eyes narrow as she studies me more closely. “Why do you look so flushed? Did something happen with Ethan?”

“No!” I’m quick to answer. Too quick.

Heather looks like she doesn’t believe me, tossing her auburn hair away as she continues to scrutinize my face. I try to hide behind Clawdia but it’s no use. She howls at me before shaking out of my grasp and walking away. I glare at the retreating cat before turning to my friend who’s now smirking at me through the screen. “Okay, so if it wasn’t Ethan, why do you look like someone who just had the best night of her life?”

I freeze for half a second, just long enough for Heather’s smirk to widen.

“You can’t hide that look from me,” she says, waggling her eyebrows. “Swear on Serial Killer Barbie’s honor that you’re not keeping secrets.”

I give her my best serious face, raising my hand like I’m taking an oath. “I swear on the honor of Serial Killer Barbie, nothing happened with Ethan.”

It’s technically true, but it feels like I’m bending the rules a little too much. My mind flashes back to Jax’s lips on mine, the way he’d kissed me like he couldn’t get enough, like he wanted to devour every inch of me.

Heather studies me, narrowing her eyes.

“Alright, I’ll drop it—for now. But mark my words, Olivia, something is going on, and I’m going to figure it out.”

I laugh, forcing the sound out. “Good luck with that, detective.” I swipe a hand over my forehead, pretending to wipe away sweat.

The last thing I need right now is Heather grilling me about Jax—especially since I’m still trying to wrap my head around it myself.

The second I hang up with Heather, my phone buzzes with a new text. It’s Ethan.

Ethan:Hey! Setting up your first date with Marcus. He’s free this weekend. You good with that?

Oh, hell. I completely forgot that he’s part of the deal as well.

I can’t help but laugh, the sound a bit manic. This is officially more complicated than I’d planned. It’s one thing to go on a fake date with Jax, who kissed me senseless last night and made me question all my life choices. It’s another to have a date set up with Marcus, who knows me in ways that most men never will.

And then there’s Ethan. I don’t even know how to categorize him. Friend? Crush? The guy who might have accidentally reignited all my old feelings just by smiling at me?

“Clawdia,” I say, collapsing onto the couch and staring up at the ceiling, “this might be a little more than I bargained for.”

She rolls onto her paws and headbutts my hand, clearly unsympathetic. I could swear she’s judging me. I don’t blame her.

I grab my phone and type a quick reply to Ethan before I can overthink it.

Me: Sure, sounds good.

CHAPTER 9

ETHAN

The restaurant smells like heaven—freshbasil, tomato sauce simmering in garlic, and the unmistakable aroma of perfectly baked bread. It’s one of those upscale Italian places where they serve you just enough pasta to look fancy but not enough to fill you up. I wouldn’t usually choose a spot like this for our Love Lab shoot, but Marcus insisted, saying it would set the right mood for a “real date.” Whatever that means.

I’m already regretting it.

I lean against the bar, watching as Olivia makes her way to the table. I have to do a double-take. She looks... stunning. She’s wearing this deep green dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, her hair pulled back but with a few strands framing her face. It’s simple but classy, and the color makes her eyes pop. I’m suddenly very aware of the fact that I’m staring.

I clear my throat and pretend to fiddle with the camera setup, acting like I’m adjusting something important. Jax, standing next to me, smirks. He’s already noticed.

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