Page 51 of Faking with Three

"Exactly," I say, feeling a bit more at ease. "I just don't want to be the guy who coasts along while you two do all the heavy lifting."

He nods appreciatively. "It's good you're thinking about this. We can definitely loop you into more of the planning sessions."

"Great," I reply, genuinely relieved. "I was worried you might think I was stepping on toes."

"Not at all," he assures me. "Fresh perspectives are always valuable."

As our conversation continues, I notice a group of women at a nearby table casting glances our way. They're dressed stylishly, laughing a bit too loudly, clearly wanting to be noticed. One of them catches my eye and gives a coy smile. I offer a polite nod but quickly return my attention to Marcus.

"Still a magnet, I see," he comments, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I shrug it off. "Doesn't really interest me anymore."

He raises an eyebrow. "That's surprising. You've always enjoyed the attention."

A year ago, I’d have shot them a grin or maybe even gone over to introduce myself. Now? I barely notice. All I can think about is Olivia—her laugh, her sarcasm, the way she looks at me like she’s daring me to figure her out. Fucking hell, that woman is ruining me.

"People change," I say, fiddling with the condensation on my water glass.

"Any particular reason for this change?" he probes.

I hesitate, debating how much to reveal. "Just... reevaluating some things."

He gives me a knowing look. "Does this have anything to do with Olivia?"

I glance at him sharply. "Why would you say that?"

He shrugs casually. "Just an observation. You've seemed... different since we started the episodes with her."

I laugh nervously. "Look who's talking. You and Olivia have had some pretty... interesting moments on camera."

Marcus looks up sharply, his expression guarded. “What do you mean?”

I shrug, trying to sound indifferent. “You know, you two have good chemistry. The viewers like it. She seems... comfortable with you.”

He hesitates, then laughs lightly. “Well, she’s comfortable because it’s all an act. We’re just trying to sell the story.”

But his laugh sounds forced, and I’m not buying it. “Right,” I say, drawing the word out. “So you don’t... like her? Not even a little?”

Marcus shifts in his seat, suddenly very interested in the pattern of his napkin. “I think Olivia’s... great. But I don’t think she’s the type to get tangled up with people like us.”

“People like us?” I raise an eyebrow. “Speak for yourself, man.”

He finally looks at me, his expression unreadable. “I just mean she’s here for her own reasons. She’s not exactly looking for anything... complicated.”

I nod slowly, pretending to let it drop, but my chest tightens. He’s not being entirely honest—I can see it. The thought of him liking Olivia makes me itch with something I don’t want to admit is jealousy.

“But she definitely has a crush on Ethan, though,” he says.

My head snaps up. “You think?”

He looks away. “I mean, I kind of noticed. Not sure now that?—”

“ Now that what?” I ask, but get no reply from Marcus as he focuses his attention on the food.

“So, your thing with Love Lab…” Marcus begins. It’s obvious that he’s trying to change the topic but I don’t even know if I want to press him on it. He and Olivia disappeared after their last date. Surely nothing happened. Marcus is considerably older than us, which makes only Ethan the real threat. “What caused you to make the change?”

Olivia. Her face comes unbidden to my mind. I want to prove her wrong. I want to make her see that I’m more than a shallow jock.

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