Chapter 12
Advanced Acting Techniques for the Romantically Impaired
Alex
I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it, Enzo’s question still echoing in my ears. “When you woke up this morning in his arms, were you happy?”
My reflection in the bathroom mirror looked softer than usual.
My hair was still mussed from sleep, skin flushed, eyes bright in a way that I’d not seen in myself in a very long time.
If I was being honest, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen the woman looking back at me.
I looked like someone who’d been thoroughly held, thoroughly cared for.
Someone who’d slept deeply for the first time in months.
I set the shower to the exact temperature I needed and began my morning ritual.
Steam slowly started to build and when I stepped under the spray, the water pressure was just right.
Everything in this space was designed for my comfort, my preferences, my peace.
But this morning, the solitude felt different.
Less like sanctuary and more like... absence.
I worked shampoo through my hair and washed it out.
Conditioner sat while I scrubbed the rest of my skin and rinsed everything, finally turning the temperature down to stand under the cooler spray for a minute or two.
I stepped out onto the heavy bathmat and reached for my oversized towel.
Wrapping it around my body, I couldn’t help but think about the way Finn had held me.
He didn’t keep most of his body away, only using his arms, and his touch wasn’t timid or light.
He’d properly held me, as if doing so brought him comfort too.
If that was what it was like to be held by someone who was practiced in physical touch and affection, I wanted nothing else.
I dried my hair before smoothing it into a low chignon.
Contacts in, I applied eyeliner, mascara, tinted lip gloss.
My holy trinity of make-up I could stand to have on my face all day.
I was lucky I’d never experienced bad acne, and my skin tone was mostly even, save the light freckles splashed across my cheeks and nose.
The mirror reflected someone else now. Professional Alex, ready to be a responsible grown up and help run a company. To do whatever it took to keep it safe.
I attached gold hoops to my ears as I went to my closet next.
I was bringing someone into my professional world, and I was nervous.
Deep down I knew I didn’t need to, but I still wanted to impress Finn.
I needed to look like the leader I was without the additional discomfort of the wrong shape or fabric texture.
I settled on a generously cut silky blouse in acidic lime, with short sleeves and deep v-neck, pairing it with muted emerald slim-cut trousers cropped just above my ankles.
I tucked the blouse in and finished it off with a leopard print belt.
I slipped on a pair of cognac-colored leather clogs with an ankle strap and slight wedge heel.
They were comfortable, stylish, and helped me stand just a little taller.
I grabbed Finn’s white sneakers and headed down the hall, the scent of eggs and coffee growing stronger with each step.
“There she is,” Enzo announced as I entered the kitchen, plate of scrambled eggs with peas and shallots in hand. “Ready to take on the world?”
Finn stood nearby, back ramrod straight, holding a tall glass of iced coffee. His eyes tracked over my transformation, taking in every detail. When his gaze met mine, something shifted in his expression, and he relaxed.
“You look great,” he smiled.
“Thanks,” I accepted the coffee, cheeks warming as I traded him his shoes. My coffee was the exact right color, condensation already beading on the glass and metal straw. “This is perfection. Did Enzo teach you?”
“Guilty,” Enzo raised his hand. “Though he was a very attentive student.”
I took a sip, tasting the exact balance of coffee and oatmilk, the right temperature that wouldn’t make me feel like I could spontaneously combust. I wasn’t sure he understood how much his gesture meant. I wrapped my fingers around his forearm, slid them down to his hand, and squeezed.
“Thank you for this,” I smiled, noting the way his eyes lit up at my appreciation. He squeezed back, his thumb brushing over my knuckles, and let go.
“Also, eat,” Enzo shoved the plate of eggs and toast at me before handing another one to Finn.
We both sat at the island, doing as we were told.
Enzo prattled on about his plans for the day, maybe the week.
I wasn’t sure. The energy around me was crackling at Finn’s proximity.
What had been easy and comfortable was now feeling much more electric and exciting, and overwhelming at the same time.
What was I thinking inviting him to come with me?
Was I really going to introduce my entire office to my fake boyfriend?
And what was he going to do all day while I worked?
He was going to get bored. He looked really good in tone-on-tone gray, slim joggers and slim-cut hoodie showing off his physique.
Wait, was he trying to look good for me?
Did this visit make him as nervous as I felt? Did I make a mistake?
“Stop it,” Finn’s low voice broke into my thoughts. He placed a hand on my knee and gave a gentle squeeze. I shook my head and looked up at him, realizing Enzo had disappeared.
“What?”
“You’re spinning out, Alex,” he hitched a soft smile. “It’s going to be fine.”
“How did you…?”
“Your whole body starts to tense up,” he shrugged, standing and taking his plate to the sink. “And then your face gets a little pinched, your eyes laser focused, and your movements a little more clipped.”
I blinked at him as he finished his coffee. I didn’t know what to say. Outside of Enzo, nobody could read me. Well, maybe Tabitha. Definitely Tabitha. But that still didn’t explain how Finn was able to—
“Stop it,” he chuckled before leaning down to brush a kiss against my cheek. “I’m just good at noticing things like that. Had to be.”
“Creeper,” I shoved the last bit of toast in my mouth with a smirk as his head tilted back, full laugh escaping him that time.
I bit my lip in pleasure. I liked making him laugh, I decided.
It was better than making anyone else do the same.
A drug that I was quickly becoming addicted to.
He took my plate and dropped it in the sink as I finished my own coffee.
“Ready to see where the magic happens?” I picked up my brown leather tote bag containing everything I needed for the office.
“More than ready.”
We headed toward the front door, Enzo calling after us about dinner plans and promising to be gone by the time we returned. The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of spring blossoms from the neighbor’s tree.
I stopped beside my 1996 Range Rover, keys in my hand. Finn was studying the car with obvious appreciation.
“She’s beautiful,” he breathed out.
“Thanks. It was my dad’s.”
“How long did the restoration take?”
“About three years,” I watched him trace the lines of the hood. “Want to drive her?”
His head snapped up, eyes wide. “You’re offering to let me drive your car?”
“Are you allowed to drive?” I held out the keys.
Finn stared at the keys like I’d offered him the holy grail.
“Alex, I... yes, but…”
“It’s a clutch. Hope that’s not a problem.”
His slow smile was answer enough. He took the keys before opening my door for me, pushing it closed once he was satisfied I was settled. He practically bounced to the other side, slipping his aviators over his eyes as I covered my own with oversized tinted lenses.
“We don’t have to get on any freeways, do we?” He pulled out of the driveway.
“Nope,” I was glad I’d backed it into the carport. “Is it better if I keep the music off? Turn right and then left at the stop sign.”
“Mm, probably for the first couple of times until I know the route,” he seemed to realize what he’d said, cheeks darkening as he pressed his lips together. I couldn’t help but grin at his instant assumption that this would become a regular thing.
He didn’t do too bad stopping in time. I watched his eyes flit back and forth behind his glasses as I told him what direction to go. I was impressed, realizing how much I took for granted that I could tell how far away things were just by looking.
“How long did it take you to learn how to calculate distance after the accident?” I glanced casually at the map on my phone in my lap. “Left at the light in about 200 feet.”
“A couple months,” he lifted a shoulder, following my instructions almost perfectly.
“I was still able to judge speed pretty well. Just had to learn all the other tricks like shadow positions relative to time of day and such. Luckily, I’d already had some trainin’ there too, so it was just using a different set of instincts.
Havin’ to shift is good.” He glanced at me with a wink, “though being told the distance helps too.” I grinned despite myself.
I directed him the rest of the way to my office. The parking garage was a bit of a challenge for him, but we made it. He left his sunglasses on the dash before climbing out as I slipped mine into my bag.
“Thank you,” his eyes were soft as he opened my door. “I haven’t had a chance to drive much since getting back.”
“Well, I enjoyed being the passenger for once. You’re welcome to drive her any time you want.” It was my turn to blush at speaking as if this would be a regular thing. Finn just smiled, running his tongue along the inside of his mouth as he locked and shut the door.
I took a deep breath. “I guess this is it? I’m going to have to tell them all you’re my boyfriend.”
“Geeze, way to make it feel special,” he took my hand as we walked out to the street. “Just think of this as a dry run for our families.”
“I might have to leave you with Lennon for a little bit while I talk to Oliver about some stuff.”