Page 35 of Fake Dating the Silver Fox

I nod. “Take your time. It’s your night.”

Vanessa grabs Graham’s arm, tucking him against her side. “He likes whiskey and coke.”

I make my way to the bar, trying not to be pissed Vanessa knows what Graham drinks and I don’t.

Of course, she knows it. She’s a fixture in his life. I’m just pretend. And his fans hate me.

After I get our drinks, I see Graham is still absent from the table, so I take a stroll past the buffet. Cupid peeks his head out of my bag, whining for a piece of cheese.

“One piece.” I give him a tiny nibble, and a passing server lifts a brow at us.

The next thing I know, a man in a dark suit approaches from nowhere. “No pets allowed.”

I pat Cupid’s head, pushing his little head down in my bag. “He’s not mine.”

The man crosses his arms over his chest, making his muscles bulge. “He’s on your person, ma’am.”

I peer over his broad shoulders, looking for Graham, but he’s nowhere in sight. “Let me find his owner. He’s one of the nominees.”

His brows draw together in a doubtful frown. “Who are you here with?”

“Graham Devlin.”

He pulls out his phone and scans the screen, shaking his head. “I don’t see his name.”

“My name should be on there.” I tell him my name and wait while he scrolls through, my heart jumping in my chest. I feel like I’ve been caught sneaking into a movie.

Skeptical dark eyes meet mine. “Can you come with me, please?”

“Wait.” I spot Vanessa Blake and wave her over. “She can vouch for me.”

Vanessa lifts her chin in my direction, then takes her time gliding over.

“Do you know this woman?” the man asks.

“What’s the problem?” Vanessa asks, looking down her nose at me as if she’s not sure she wants to admit knowing me.

I point at Cupid. “He’s not supposed to be here.”

“And neither is she,” the man says. “She’s not on the list.”

Vanessa’s eyes light up, and I see the moment I’m doomed. “Have her and the dog removed, please.”

“But the ceremony is about to start. You can’t kick us out now. Graham will wonder where I am.”

“I’m sorry,” Vanessa says, not sounding sorry. “It’s better if you don’t make a scene.”

I pull out my phone and call Graham, and Vanessa smirks. “He never brings his phone to these things,” she says under her breath so the man can’t hear her. “You can call him later.”

The man escorts me to the back door, and before I can protest any further, I find myself in the back alley where they take out the trash.

ChapterThirteen

Graham

I winthe book of the year award, but it feels hollow. Mara ditched me halfway through the night, and now she won’t respond.

And she’s taken Cupid.

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