Page 41 of Fake Love

That’s the question of the year, isn’t it

“Fake girlfriend?” Hunter asks, looking between me and Selena.

Selena doesn't take her eyes off me as she answers him. “Jen not only is working with Maddox, she is also pretending to be his girlfriend until the end of the season.”

“Seriously?” Hunter asks, a bit dumbfounded.

I give him a nod. “He asked and I told him I would do it, but apart from what we show the public, nothing is going to happen between us.”

“Are you sure about that?” Selena throws out.

“Yes, I’m sure. We’ve set rules. We will follow them and when the end of the season comes, we will go our separate ways. Hey, we might even be friends. “

By the looks on Selena’s and Hunter’s faces, they both think that I’m full of bullshit.

And maybe I am, but I think this can really work. Maddox and I can full the public and come out of this with our feelings unattached.

I just have to stop thinking about our night together and ignore this undeniable draw that we have toward each other and we will be golden.

“You really think that both of you are capable of keeping your feelings out of this?” Selena asks.

I’m nodding before she is even able to finish the question. “I do.”

I look at my best friend, the one that has been in my life since we were kids and continue to be friends now that we’re adults. She looks hesitant about this, and she has every right to feel that way, but she has to trust me on this. Everything will work out.

“It’s just going to be for a couple months, Sel. I promise that isn’t enough time for cold hearted me to start developing feelings for the man. It will be fine.”

“Hopefully you’re right.”

Yeah, hopefully.

12

APRIL 26, 2022

Jennifer

After spending the day watching movies and eating junk food on Selena’s and Hunter’s couch, I decided to go home and sleep for a solid eight hours.

When I woke up the next morning, I woke up with a text from Maddox asking me to be ready by eleven the next morning.

I didn’t even have to ask, I already knew that it was going to be one of two things. My first official day as his content manager or one of our ‘dates’.

Given that it was a Tuesday, I was aiming for the former so I dressed in a professional manner. But as soon as I opened my front door to let Maddox in, I knew I was clearly overdressed.

“Why are you wearing slacks and a button down?” He asks, one of his dark eyebrows raising in question.

I look down and notice that he’s dressed in sweatpants, a white t-shirt and a baseball hat, looking like he’s about to head to the gym. All the while I look like I’m about to head to my job at the library.

“I didn’t know what we were doing. So given I’m your new content manager, I thought professional would be a good choice.”

Maddox lets out a throaty laugh that makes my insides swim a bit.

“Just because you work for me doesn’t mean you need to dress like a school principal, you can be comfortable.”

“Oh, well you didn’t say that in your text.”

“No, I didn’t. I thought it was implied. Go change if you want, we have time to spare.” He says, coming into my apartment and closing the door behind him as if he’s done it a million times before.

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