Page 5 of Love is Fake

“Woah, you alright?” The surfer comes complete with quick reflexes and he reaches out to steady me as I all but fall out of the car.

Smooth, Izzy, real smooth.

“I’m good, thanks.” I smile up at his seemingly genuine concern, downplaying my embarrassment.

“I’m Isabella, good to meet you.” We shake hands as I wait expectantly for him to introduce himself.

“Cool, come on in. I was just heading inside when they asked me to come meet you. I guess the butler’s got the night off, so I’m the next best thing.” The long-haired surfer dude gives me a conspiratorial wink and I can’t help but smile at his comment.

He turns around and motions for me to follow him into the house.

“So…you’re not my client,” I confirm as I walk a few paces behind him, trying not to gawk at the huge entryway that’s bigger than my whole apartment.

Surfer Dude laughs outright as if the idea were hilarious. I assumed as much – he’s way too unaffected to be the kind of famous the NDA warranted.

“You don’t know who you’re meeting? Didn’t your mom ever tell you not to talk to strangers?” He looks over his shoulder at me, amused, his blue eyes dancing as he teases me.

I shake my head, smiling back at him in spite of myself. His sense of fun is contagious and that catches me off guard.

“My mom didn’t stick around long enough to teach me much, so I guess I’m a little slow on the uptake,” I banter back.

“Ouch, funny, gorgeousandemotionally damaged, watch out Shortcake, you’re totally my type.” He elbows me jokingly and I laugh out loud at his outrageous flirtation.

“Why do I get the impression this isn’t the first time you’ve used that line, today?” I raise a mock-accusing eyebrow at him, and he puts his palms up in a defensive pose.

“Just because I’ve said it more than once, doesn’t mean I don’t mean it.” He winks broadly at me as my face cracks into a smile.

“Kai, get in here!” A commanding voice booms through the hallway making me jump, but my host just rolls his eyes.

“You’re in luck, sounds like he’s in a good mood.” My chaperone – Kai – motions me towards a closed door and I can’t tell if he’s joking or not. Even worse, I don’t have time to ask before he’s leading me inside and I’m taking in a sleek gym that’s all polished concrete floors, top of the line equipment and wall to wall windows.

It looks like something out of an architectural magazine and before I know it, I’ve let out a noise of appreciation that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Nice set-up, right?” The preppy guy who’s appeared by my side follows my gaze around the gym.

“It’s incredible,” I agree, taking a look at the person I’m here to work with.

I’d thought the VIP was an athlete and although this guy’s in shape, he’s not someone on my radar. I make a point of keeping up to date – the NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, soccer – I have to be on top of it all, it’s part of my job. Maybe this guy’s sport is something a little more left-field like fencing or polo? He’s dressed super preppy in chinos and a sky-blue Ralph Lauren polo shirt, so that would fit.

“You’re not who we were expecting.” And from his expression, he’s not all that happy about it.

Well, that makes two of us, my friend.

“Michael had a family emergency,” I don’t expand because I figure it’s not anyone else’s business. “But I’m fully qualified and have a lot of experience.”

“I know, Michael emailed me with his recommendation. He was very complimentary.” There’s a hint of a challenge in his voice and I don’t balk at his tone.

“Your boss told us to expect you twenty minutes ago.” It’s a statement more than an accusation and I wince inwardly at looking so unprofessional in front of a new client.

“I’m so sorry I’m late -,” I’m about to explain the car accident when he holds his hand up.

“It’s fine.” Although the way he says it tells me that it’s reallynotfine.

I don’t make excuses, there’s no point, and something tells me this man wouldn’t appreciate them anyway.

I lift my head, projecting the confidence that Kiara has trained me to fake. “Really, I’mneverlate, I can only apologize and tell you I’m as unhappy about this as you are.”

Preppy Dude tilts his head at me, a flash of respect coming into his face. Hopefully it’s in appreciation of the fact that I haven’t tried to bullshit him.

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