Page 42 of Filthy Twisted Devil

I open a bottle and pour us both glasses while Pippa unpacks her extravagant takeout feast. My mouth waters at the scent of sesame chicken, egg rolls, and fried rice.

“I think you got all my favorites,” I tell her.

“No, I got all my favorites.” She laughs. “Getting your order right was just a coincidence.”

“Or we both just have very, very boring taste.”

“That’s probably it.”

My phone lights up on the table. Pippa glances down, and I know she sees Luke’s name.

Luke

I should have listened to you.

I quickly grab the phone. “I should answer this. One second.”

Eden

Oh no.

Luke

I got the kangaroo burger. I think my stomach is jumping.

Eden

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Luke

I will never believe Beau over you ever again.

I smile before I can stop myself. When I glance up, Pippa’s got a smug grin on her face.

“You liiiiike him,” she sings.

I open my mouth to deny it, but I stop myself. Why would I deny it? I should obviously like my boyfriend. If Luke and I were really together, I’d just laugh it off.

After the Halloween party, Pippa didn’t bring up Luke and I “faking it” again. I’d written it off as a weird comment, maybe even one I misheard. The party was loud, after all. Maybe she was just teasing me about over-the-top posing. I chose to believe that, because the idea that someone else knew our relationship was fake was just too complicated.

“Luke is…Luke,” I say finally. Three words that say nothing but manage to sum up what’s happening in my head. Luke is funny, thoughtful, hardworking, and weirder than I gave him credit for. Being around him makes my head run in circles.

Pippa twirls lo mein around her fork. “Look, to be honest, I didn’t just come here for food. I’m wondering what exactly is going on with you two. I’ve been watching you since Halloween, and I can’t figure you out.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my eyes wide with fake confusion.

She levels me with a knowing look. “I mean that the Luke I know never wanted a girlfriend, and when you started dating out of the blue, you made a big show about it. That doesn’t seem like either of you. When you were posing at the party, I kind of figured the whole show was for a reason. Considering the Toronto Tea commenters seem to be very pro-your relationship, I’m guessing you’re helping Luke with an image rehab. What I can’t figure out is why you’d agree to it.”

I gape at her. “How—how did you⁠—”

“I’m a journalist. I see a story, I do my research. Now, feel free to tell me that I’m insane and leaping to conclusions. I’ll change the subject and we’ll forget we ever talked about this.”

Pippa’s looking at me so kindly that something hard inside me crumbles. I haven’t had anyone to talk about this whole mess with, since my best friend can’t know about all the secret kisses. I’m desperate to talk to someone, and I trust Pippa to keep her mouth shut.

“Luke gets an image rehab,” I admit. “I get my overprotective brothers off my back. It’s a win-win.”

“Except that it got messy. Because you like him.”