Page 36 of Faking with Three

“Nah, you’ve got this,” I say, steadying her with a hand on her waist. The contact feels natural like it’s something I’ve done a hundred times before. Her body tenses slightly, but I let my grip linger when she doesn’t pull away. “Relax, Chase. Just keep your knees bent and your weight forward.”

She gives me a skeptical look. “You say that like it’s easy.”

“That’s because it is. You’re overthinking it.”

“Right,” she says dryly, wobbling again as her skates slide unpredictably beneath her. I tighten my hold on her waist, pulling her closer to keep her from falling.

“See? You didn’t even hit the ice,” I tease, flashing her a grin.

“Yet,” she shoots back, her lips curving into a reluctant smile.

For a few laps, we move slowly, Olivia gripping my hand like it’s the only thing keeping her upright. I stay close, my hand on her waist every time she starts to slip. Gradually, though, she loosens up, her movements growing less rigid.

“You’re getting the hang of it,” I say as she glides a little more confidently.

“Don’t jinx it,” she warns, but there’s a hint of pride in her tone.

I crack a joke about how she looks like a baby giraffe on skates, and she retaliates by “accidentally” swerving into me, making me stumble.

“Oops,” she says innocently, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Careful, Chase,” I say, leaning in a little closer. “You start something, you better be ready to finish it.”

Her cheeks flush, but she holds my gaze, her green eyes challenging. “Maybe I am.”

For a second, we’re closer than we should be. My hand is still on her waist, and her fingers grip my forearm lightly for balance.

As Olivia and I step off the ice, I catch sight of Marcus and Ethan standing near the camera setup, watching us with unreadable expressions. Ethan’s arms are crossed, his usual easygoing demeanor nowhere in sight, and Marcus looks like he’s working through some mental calculus.

Olivia excuses herself to grab some water, flashing me a quick smile before walking off toward the concession stand. I take my time untying my skates, giving her a moment to walk away before standing. That’s when Marcus strides over.

“You two looked cozy out there,” he says, his tone carefully neutral.

I smirk. “What can I say? Chase’s a natural on the ice.”

Marcus doesn’t return the smile. Instead, he steps closer, lowering his voice. “You might want to dial it down a bit.”

My brows knit together. “Dial what down?”

He gestures vaguely toward the rink. “All that. The hand-holding, the banter—it’s a little... chummy.”

I fold my arms, leaning back against the railing. “Isn’t that the point? A dating show, remember? People like to see chemistry.”

“Fake dating,” Marcus corrects, enunciating each word like he’s explaining something to a child.

“The world isn’t supposed to know that, you know?” I say, frowning. “Nobody will tune in otherwise.”

“All three of us need to be an equal option for her for the public interest to stick out.”

I frown, not sure what he’s getting at. “And your point is?” Is this just about his insecurity?

Marcus narrows his eyes, clearly irritated. “The point is, this is supposed to be a show. Entertainment. Not... whatever that was.”

I cock my head, studying him. “You sure this isn’t about something else?”

Marcus’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t bite. Instead, he presses on. “Look, I’m just saying, maybe don’t get carried away. This is a team effort, and we need to stay professional.”

Before I can respond, Ethan walks up, breaking the tension. “Everything okay here?” he asks, glancing between us.

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