Page 101 of Faking it with the Billionaire
Did they honestly think we might poison them?
The twins grab their forks and dig in, both of them clearly hungry, while the adults wait for us to finish dishing out our food before eating.
“Kyler, we heard you took some time off from hockey,” Antonio says.
“Yes, to be with my family.” I force a smile. It’s hard to feel anything but dread with the Morettis in my home. But this dinner wasn’t by choice. The headmaster insisted that we break bread together, or both families risk expulsion from the school.
A bit harsh if you ask me, especially considering our generous contribution, but the kids have been finding it difficult to get along. And maybe there’s something to be said for finding common ground.
What could we have in common, other than our children are both the same age and attend the same school?
“That’s nice,” Aleksandra says. She reaches for her wine glass, swirling the dark liquid around before taking a sip. “I wish you could do that, take time off to spend with me and the kids,” she says, glancing at her husband.
“I do that. We went to Cancun in the winter and—”
“Those were work trips, and you know it,” she says with a smug grin. She’s playing with him, and he shifts, albeit uncomfortable with where this is going.
“What type of work do you do?” Em asks.
“The business kind. It would bore you,” Antonio says, staring at Em. “And what about you? Are you a stay-at-home mother, or do you work outside the home?”
Aleksandra elbows her husband. “Being a stay-at-home mom is work.”
He glares at her, but she doesn’t so much as cower. It’s clear they’re both strong-headed individuals.
“I’m taking some time off right now,” Em says, avoiding the question. I suppose she doesn’t want to admit that she was Bristol’s bodyguard or that I hired her to be my fake girlfriend. And saying anything about previously working for the FBI or being hired by Eagle Tactical probably isn’t wise, either.
“Have you two made any wedding plans yet?” Aleksandra asks. “We saw the proposal on the news. It was so sweet, asking her to marry you at the Ice Dragons game. Wasn’t it sweet, Antonio?”
“It was sweet,” he mutters, staring at his food. He’s not enjoying the conversation, but he does seem to be enjoying the meal, or at least using it as a distraction.
Em smiles at the twins. “What do you both like to do for fun?” she asks, trying to direct the conversation to the real reason that we’re together—finding common ground.
“I love riding my bicycle,” Liam says. “I want a dirt bike for my birthday, but Dad says I’m too young.” He rolls his eyes, and I smile. I’ve seen that same look from Bristol.
“You are too young. No ATVs. No dirt bikes. Not until you’re at least double digits.”
Liam whines, and his nose twitches. “That’s forever away.”
“Can I have a dirt bike?” Bristol asks, her eyes lighting up. I’m not even sure the kid knows what it is, but because Liam can’t have one, she probably wants one to rub in his face.
“No,” I say, and Em is trying to hold back her laughter.
“What about you, Sophia?” Em asks. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“I love ice skating and hockey.”
“Me too!” Bristol’s eyes widen. “Ice skating is my favorite.”
“Hockey isn’t your favorite?” I ask, my jaw dropping as I tease Bristol.
“I don’t like playing hockey. The kids hit hard, and I don’t like falling on the ice. It hurts too much.”
Sophia grins. “I don’t like playing hockey. I like to watch it. Mom took me to a game so we could google the players.”
“Ogle the players,” Liam says, tattling on his mom and sister.
Em covers her mouth to keep from laughing, and the look on Antonio’s face is pure gold. “Is that so?” he asks, staring at his wife.
