Chapter 26
twenty-six
I spent most of my childhood in love with Lizzy Cade. Of course, being so young meant I had no idea what to do with those feelings other than tease her relentlessly. I was able to hide said teasing behind the fact that her twin brother, Logan, was my best friend.
But so was Lizzy.
Now she’s sitting with me at a table at one of Lakeside’s most popular lakeside restaurants. In a span of seconds, my heart filters through a multitude of emotions. Most of which I’m able to whittle down pretty quick.
Surprise: Because I can’t believe she’s actually here sitting across from me.
Guilt: For spending the last fifteen years doing everything I can to forget about how I feel about her. Trampling down emotions that have been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Not to mention how many women were used in an attempt to erase the memory of us.
Didn’t work for shit, by the way.
Love: No matter how hard I tried to shove the memories of her aside, she was always there, hovering in the periphery of my brain.
Lust: Not only can’t I seem to make this feeling go away, but it just keeps getting stronger every time I see her.
The lake sparkles as sunshine filters through the window and across the table, highlighting her dark hair. I have to force myself not to reach across the table and wrap a lock of it around my finger.
She’s studying the menu intently, though I suspect it’s more to avoid looking at me than struggling to decide what to eat.
“See anything you like?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
“Maybe,” she replies, still not meeting my eyes.
When the server shows up, saving us from more awkward silence, her eyes go wide when she sees me, but manages to get her shit together pretty quick.
Covering it up by nervously clearing her throat, her voice wavers slightly when she speaks. “Um. Can I get you two something to drink?”
“I’ll have a beer,” Lizzy replies. “Whatever IPA you have on tap.”
“Make that two,” I add, giving her my signature Rowan Cade smile.
Lizzy snorts and shakes her head at me as the server leaves, green eyes piercing straight into my soul.
“You just can’t help yourself can you?”
“What?”
She raises both eyebrows and for some reason it makes me squirm in my seat.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever you say, Hollywood,” she quips, leaning back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “Let’s talk about this fake girlfriend crap.”
I clear my throat. “Wow. Straight to the point.”
“When have you ever known me to be subtle?” She quirks an eyebrow, and the familiar gesture makes my heart clench.
“Right.” I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table. “Like I explained before. The studio execs are willing to let me direct, but they’re concerned about my... reputation.”
“You mean banging anything and everything that moves?” she asks bluntly.
I wince. “I’m not that bad—”
“Please,” she scoffs. “I’ve seen the tabloids.”
“Can you just… hear me out?”
Pushing the menu aside, she gives me a pointed look. “Fine. How would this go down?”
“They want me to show I’m capable of commitment,” I explain, running a hand through my still-damp hair.
The server returns with our beers, and I take a long swig before continuing.
“We’ll need to be seen together. We’ll start out slow.
A coffee date here, a lunch date there. You’ll come visit me on set where I’ll give you a tour and introduce you to everyone.
Maybe attend a few events when I go back to L.A. for meetings. Nothing too intense.”
Lizzy takes a slow sip of her beer, studying me over the rim of her glass. When she sets it down, there’s a tiny foam mustache on her upper lip. Without a second thought, I reach across the table and swipe it away with the pad of my thumb.
She freezes at my touch, eyes widening slightly as she sucks in a startled breath.
“Sorry,” I mutter, sucking the beer off my thumb. “Old habits, I guess.”
We both go back to studying our menus until the server returns and we order.
When she’s gone, I let Lizzy in on a little something. “Technically, our little ruse has already started.”
“What the hell do you mean, it’s already started?”
I take out my phone and swipe up before handing it over. “See for yourself.”
Her eyes widen as she stares down at the screen, mouth parted in shock. I’ve just handed over photos of our awkward run-in at the coffee shop.
They all show some version of my hands pressed against her chest as I attempted to soak up the coffee from her shirt with a wad of napkins. Meanwhile, she’s glaring up at me, my hands quite literally manhandling her tits.
“Holy shit,” she gasps, swiping through the pictures. “Who took these?”
“No idea.” I lift my glass and gulp a mouthful of beer. “But my publicist texted them to me this morning. They’re already making rounds on social media.”
Her eyes, snap up to mine.
And then something unexpected happens—Lizzy throws her head back and laughs. The sound is so bright and sudden that I’m momentarily stunned into silence. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her laugh like that. A genuine, no holds barred, laugh. It’s enough to leave me spellbound.
“Oh my god,” she wheezes, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “The look on your face!”
Her laughter is contagious, and soon I’m joining in, the tension between us dissolving like a heavy mist from the warmth of a morning sun.
“I was only trying to help!”
“Sure you were,” she snorts. “Ever the gentleman.”
As our laughter subsides, it feels like something has shifted between us. The air feels even lighter when she gives me a soft smile, eyes sparkling as she hands me my phone.
I nod my head subtly to the side as I shove it back in my pocket. “Don’t look now, but someone else has their camera on us.”
“Seriously?” I watch as she fights every knee-jerk response she has in order to keep herself from turning her head to look. “Is it paparazzi?”
“No. Not yet. Probably just a fan. But once they start posting? All bets are off. It’s just a matter of time before Lakeside is overrun with them.”
“So, what’s in it for me? This little... faux-mance you’ve come up with?”
“Besides getting to hang out with People’s Sexiest Man Alive?” I try for levity, snorting out a laugh when her expression deadpans. “Right. Well, there would be financial compensation, of course. Plus, I could promote your artwork. I know people in the L.A. gallery scene who would love your stuff.”
She snorts. “My ‘stuff’ is doing just fine on its own, thank you very much.”
“There is one thing my agent won’t budge on, though.”
“Oh, goodie. I assume this would be the fine print part of our conversation?”
If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t dread bringing this part up. “You’ll have to sign an NDA.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Fuck the hell off!” she whisper-hisses, leaning in, squishing her tits against the edge of the table. “An NDA? Seriously?”
“It’s standard procedure,” I explain with a mental wince, fighting to keep from staring at her chest. “It protects both of us. Ensuring that whatever happens—or doesn’t happen between us—stays private.”
“So I can’t talk about it?” she clarifies, looking skeptical.
“Right. Not publicly. As far as anyone outside of Logan—and what I assume your inner girl circle already knows—we’re the real deal. Childhood sweethearts reconnecting after years apart.”
Lizzy takes another sip of her beer, her eyes never leaving mine. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, weighing the pros and cons.
“What about my parents?”
Guilt stabs at me when I think about lying to the two people who have treated me like a second son. “The fewer people who know, the better.”
When her face falls, I immediately amend my statement. “We can tell them after it’s over. Explain everything. I have no doubt they’ll understand.”
“Okay. What happens when it’s over?” she asks. “When you’ve got your director gig and don’t need me anymore?”
The question hits harder than I know it should. Because the truth is, I’ve always needed her. Even when I tried to convince myself otherwise. And even though this might come off as fake to her right now? My strategy is to take this fake relationship and make it as real as it can get.
But, of course, I’m not about to tell her that.
“We’ll have a mutual, amicable breakup,” I explain, keeping my voice steady. “Blame it on distance or schedules or whatever people usually say when they don’t want to admit the truth.”
“And what is the truth, Rowan?” she challenges with a curious, irritated tilt of her head. “That this is all just another role for you to play?”
Before I can answer, our food arrives, the server setting a massive burger in front of Lizzy and a steak sandwich in front of me.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asks, eyes lingering on me for a moment too long before she comes to her senses and turns to smile brightly at Lizzy.
“We’re good. Thanks,” Lizzy grins back, reaching for her burger.
I push my food around on my plate, trying to find the right words. “This isn’t just a role for me, Iz,” I finally say, voice low. “I meant what I said last night. All of it.”
Her eyes flick up to mine, searching, and I hold her gaze, allowing her to see only what she needs to see for now.
“How long?” she asks, setting her burger down.
“Originally, I was thinking it would be just while I’m here filming. But it could be more like six months to a year. Just until the movie is released and I secure the directing gig.”
She takes a bite of her burger, chewing thoughtfully. “And what about...” She hesitates, eyes darting away before coming back to mine. “...physical stuff?”
My heart rate doubles instantly and my next word almost comes out as a squeak. “Physical?”
“If we’re supposed to be a couple, people will expect certain things. Hand-holding. Hugging.” She swallows hard. “Kissing.”
The memory of me taking her mouth less than twenty-four hours ago sends heat coursing through my veins. “Only what you’re comfortable with,” I barely manage, voice rough.
Lizzy sets her half-eaten burger down. She looks out the window, and the next words out of her mouth send a jolt of hurt through my veins.