Page 56 of Faking Romance

CHAPTERTWENTY

Grayson

“I can’t believe a freaking trash panda stole my camera!” Hutch says as he sips his drink.

“Dude, let it go,” Drew interjects as he pulls a book off the shelf and reads the back. We’re all at the soft opening of the bookstore.

To say I’m impressed is an understatement. Around fifty people are milling around. There are two authors signing books in the back of the store. A caterer and two staff walk around with appetizers and there’s a small bar set up by the front desk that’s serving beer and wine. Everyone attending has received a bag full of books and bookish items.

If this is her soft launch, I can’t wait to see what she does for her official grand opening day.

“I’m going to get to the bottom of it. I just need to figure out a new plan,” Hutch grumbles as he looks over at the book Drew is holding. His eyes widen and I lean down a little to see what he’s looking at. A shirtless alien man who looks way more ripped than even Hutch or Kasen. I mean, Brayden, Drew, and I are fit, but even I have to admit Hutch and Kasen are next-level gym rats. Hutch might have a slight limp from his football-ending injury, but he’s made up for it by being able to lift small cars or at least I would assume he can. I can never keep up with him at the gym.

“Alien why choose romance?” Cam asks as she takes the book from him.

“I didn’t know that was a thing. Clearly, I need to read more,” Drew quips as he looks around the shelves. “What else is in here?”

Cam takes Drew’s hand. “Come on, let’s go get these books signed,” she says as she pulls two books out from her tote bag.

Hutch steps closer to me after they leave. “So, how are things going?” He motions to Roxy who is talking to her brother. I’ve been introduced to her entire family tonight. They are all very nice and normal. She introduced me as her good friend. Which was what we had planned on doing, but I admit it made me wish that she considered me her real boyfriend. I could see her younger sister, Isla, eyeing me up as if she knew something more was going on between us. I played up how impressive Roxy is because I know that she comes from a family of overachievers and doesn’t think she is one as she’s alluded to previously. However, it is clear she is, because only an overachiever could pull off a party like this for their soft business opening.

“Fine,” I say as I drink my beer to avoid giving any more detail.

“Fine? Bro, I see the way you are staring at her. That is not how you look at afakegirlfriend. That’s how you look at the woman you want to bear your children.”

I glare at him. “We have an arrangement. That’s all. Nothing more,” I mutter.

“Oh, I think there’s more. Maybe you just don’t know it yet,” he says with a smirk. “OK, I’m off to find another.” He raises his empty bottle and heads in the direction of Jocelyn and the bar. I’m half-curious if he’s into her, but I have my own romantic issues to deal with.

I pretend to be interested in a book, to avoid looking at Roxy. If Hutch can see through my bullshit pretending, then so can everyone else, and I don’t need five hundred questions right now as I’m attempting to figure out whatishappening between Roxy and me.

“I didn’t peg you as a BDSM erotica reader.” Roxy’s voice interrupts my thoughts. Shit. I look down, actually reading the back cover and then grimace as I place the book back on the shelf.

“Hey, no judgment. That’s a bestseller,” Roxy teases.

“It’s going well,” I say as I try to change the subject.

She follows my gaze as we both look around the store. “It is. Thanks for being here.”

I look back at her. “Of course. I wouldn’t have missed it.”

She glances over at her family who are all talking to one another.

“Your family seems nice,” I state as I nod in their direction.

Blushing slightly, she looks back at the bookshelf. “They are,” she responds but I feel like there’s more to that answer.

“Your parents look proud of you,” I add because it’s true and I feel like she needs her self-confidence built up a little.

She rolls her eyes. “I set the bar pretty low, so I suppose anything I do above a mediocre college degree and an asshole boyfriend is pretty fucking impressive.”

I want to take her hands in my face and tell her that she is one of the most impressive people I know, but I can’t. Instead, I ball my hands into fists to fight the itch to touch her.

“Don’t do that,” I growl in a low voice.

Her eyes fly up to look at mine. “Do what?”

“Undersell yourself. Look around you. You did all of this.” I put my hands on her shoulders and turn her to look at the party in the bookstore she created.

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