Page 44 of Falling for your Fake Boyfriend

“You know I’m right.” She took off toward the stage. Mom always had to get in the last word. The song ended and everyone cheered, Mom the loudest.

Isla returned looking far less cheerful than a few minutes earlier. And then it hit me. “Alexandria took your song,” I said.

“Yep. Crossed it out and wrote it next to her name. It’s all right—”she started.

“No, it’s not.”

“No, really, it is. I found a new song.” She smiled up at me. “I’m fine.”

I sighed dejectedly. “There’s that word again. If there was ever a more overused word in the English language. For the hundredth time, Isla. I apologize for everything that’s happened since we arrived. But not for the Morbid Curiosity Museum. That was entirely on you.”

Isla laughed. “Then we’re probably even now because—well—human skin lampshade.” She shook her head. “Do you think he really had one?”

“Don’t know. I’ve tried not to think about it since my car hit the highway to leave that place.”

Isla’s name was called. She grabbed my arm. “That was me. They called my name.”

“You’ve got this,angel.”

Her worried brow smoothed, and she peered up at me with those incredible blue eyes. “You called me angel, but no one was around to hear.”

“Maybe I’m tired of putting on a show. Now go up on that stage and wow them.”

She took a steadying breath and walked toward the stage. Alex had left the stage and was standing and accepting all the accolades as if she was a rock star. I half expected her to pull out a pen to start signing autographs.

My gaze was pulled back to the stage as I moved closer. Isla had hold of the microphone. She looked nervous, and I felt it all the way through my chest. I wanted to hold her right then and tell her she had everything it took to be a superstar, with or without a song.

She cleared her throat loudly into the mic, but Alex was still holding court just below the stage. Isla waited for a second. Her gaze found me. I nodded to let her know I was listening, and as far as I was concerned that was all that mattered.

Isla nodded to the DJ, and he started the music. I had to strain to hear what the song was. It was Adele’s “Someone Like You.” Isla’s voice got lost in the peripheral noise at first but then an impossibly beautiful sound floated through the speakers. Seconds later, the entire room fell silent. Everyone’s attention was on the stage and on the incredible woman singing in a voice that made my throat tighten. Her blue eyes found me again, and I kept my gaze steady to let her know I was with her through every note. I swallowed hard as I listened to every lyric, every word. I was so caught up in her performance, so overwhelmed by it, I hadn’t noticed Alex joined me.

She reached over and took my hand. “Luke, I really need to walk outside and get some air.” Her words were barely registering. She squeezed my hand harder. It took all my will to pull my gaze from the stage. Alex was frowning and fanning herself with one hand. “Please, Luke. I’m suddenly feeling faint. I need fresh air. Could you please walk me out to the gardens?”

I turned back to the stage. People had moved even closer to hear the performance.

“Luke.” She wrapped her hands around my arm. “Please, before I faint.”

“Right.” She held my arm. Isla’s unbelievable voice followed us out of the room. We got to the elevator. I could still hear her singing.

Alex gripped my arm tighter. “Please, let’s hurry.” We stepped into the elevator, and she wrapped herself around me. “Just hold me. I think the dizziness will pass soon. It was just too crowded and stuffy in that room.”

I led her out to the veranda. She was amazingly recovered by the time we stepped into the cool night air. “I’ll get you a glass of water,” I said.

“No need. I feel much better. Let’s just take a walk.” She reached for my hand. “I just need some fresh air in my lungs.”

I looked at her. She was in every sense a perfect beauty, but there was something lacking. “You took her song,” I said.

Alex’s eyes rounded innocently. Her smile bordered on wicked. “What are you talking about? Uh, last I heard, The Chicks wrote that song, not your little friend, Isla.”

“You know what I mean.”

She waved her long pink nails. “Nonsense. I’d never do something like that.” She wrapped her arm around mine again. “Please, a short stroll and then I’ll be ready to head back inside.”

My feet moved forward reluctantly. My mom and her matchmaking.

ChapterTwenty-One

Isla

---