Fake bDating /bMy bEx’s /bFavourite bHockey /byer.

bChapter /bb59 /b

He’s standing near the entrance,ughing at something one of his friends said. Ba is tucked into bhis /bside, she’s practically glowing with happiness. Her smile bis /bso breathtaking it knocks the breath out of my lungs.

She looks beautiful, but for once, that painful knot of jealousy in my chest that grows around a beautiful woman doesn’te. Not even a little.

Not like it used to.

I think back on how insecure I used to be around Tessa. Sometimes it’s hard not to be, but I don’t find myselfparing my every w to her perfections anymore.

Or maybe it’s because I tossed out the maternity gowns Zane loved to stuff me into and finally started doing what bI /bwant. Wearing clothes I like, putting on makeup because I want to.

A smile tugs at my lips.

But before it can fully form, Zane looks up.

And freezes.

bI /bcan see shock take over him like a bucket of ice–cold water dumped over his head. He looks at me from head to toe, like he can’t quite trust his eyes.

It must be horrible, knowing that your ex is doing so much better without you.

His once–rxed face hardens, his eyes conflicted. His jaw tightens, and I swear I can hear the btic /bof his teeth grinding together when his gaze shifts–to Liam.

Who notices immediately.

Without hesitation, he tightens his arm around my waist and pulls flush against him, his body solid and sure.

Then he leans down, his breath warm against my ear, his voice low and dangerous, eyes still locked on Zane’s.

“If he so much as breathes the wrong way at you… I’ll make him regret ever inviting you in the first ce.”

Somehow, I’mpletely certain he’s not faking that.

Or at least I’m strongly hoping he isn’t.

Zane’s lips part slightly, like he wants to speak, but no wordse. bHis /bgrip on Ba tightensb–/bso tight she briefly nces up at himb, /bconfused. But he doesn’t seem to noticeb. /bHis focus is locked entirely on Liam.

I’m half tempted to yell at them to get a roomb, /bbut it hardly seems appropriate–especially with his fiancée at his side

and Liam at mine.

Speaking of Liam.

Under Zane’s stare, he doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t waver. His grip on my waist is steady, his hand resting bjust /babove my hip like it belongs there. Like this bis /bsecond nature. Like we’ve done this a hundred times before.

b1/4 /b

bChapter /bb59 /b

The thought sends an unexpected warmth curling in my stomach.

“We should be the ones to go over and greet them, I say, tilting my chin up. It’s a bit rude otherwise.

That’s only half the reason. The other half? I’d love to see the disbelief on Zane’s face up close.

Liam smirks. “Alright then.”

bWith /bthat, we weave through the crowd, moving toward Zane, Ba, and their group of friends. Zane tries he really tries—to act like he isn’t stating. But the second his focus falters, Ba’s head turns.

Her happy, hazel eyes immediately harden.

I swear I start sweating from the heat of her stare.

“Zane. Ba,” I greet, my voice perfectly light. “Thank you for inviting us. And congrattions on your engagement.”

I ignore Zane and smile at Ba, extending my hand. She stares at it like bI /bjust offered her a piece of gum off bthe /bbottom of my shoe.

Alright then.

I subtly pull my hand back just as Zane opens his mouth to speak–but Ba beats him to it, her smile sharp enough to cut ssb. /b

“We’ve been engaged for over a month.”

Ah.

I nearly click my tongue but stop myself just in time. I wish I could tell her I’m not herpetitionb–/bnot anymore.

She can have him. I wouldn’t touch that with a ten–foot pole. Not even if someone paid me.

“My apologies for thete congrattions,” I say,smoothly, tugging Liam just a little closer. “This is my plus one. I’m not sure if you know him…”

I don’t miss the flicker of something sharp in Zane’s gaze. Disbelief? Well it looks oddly like..

Realization.

Bingo.

I turn to him with the sweetest smile I can muster. “This is my boyfriend, Liam Calloway.”

I don’t look at Liam, but I can feel the amusement radiating off him.

“He’s also a hockey yer,” I continue. “Zane, you should know him, right? We went to college together.”

Silence.

Zane’s jaw ticks.

b2/4 /b

For a second there, I worry that if he clenches his jaw any tighter, it might just fall off like those skeletons bin /b

cartoons.

Liam finally speaks, his voice as smooth as ever. “Nice to see you again, mate.”

He extends a hand.

Zane looks at it.

Then at me.

Then back at Liam.

And I swear, if looks could kill, I would be a goner.

At this point, it’s a double kill. Ba is ring daggers at me, and Zane looks like he’s seconds away from losing his

mind.

Liam, of course, ispletely unfazed. If anything, he seems to be enjoying himself. His hand tightens just slightly on my waist, grounding me, reminding me that we’re in this together.

Zane barely puts himself together in time to shake Liam’s hand, but even with how embarrassed he must be, his eyes

still shine with hero worship.

I’m this close to throwing myself off this ship, and it hasn’t even departed yet.

This is just day one out of thirty.

Lord, help me.

“Well,” Ba finally says, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Isn’t this…unexpected?”

Zane still hasn’t said a word. His jaw is so tight I half expect it to crack. His grip on Ba’s waist tightens, but I’m not sure if it’s to steady himself or keep her from lunging at me.

Liam lets out a low, amused chuckle. “Unexpected? I suppose,” he muses, tilting his head. “Though, I’d say it’s a small world.” His fingers skim lightly down my arm–just enough to make me shiver. “Wouldn’t you agree, loveb?/b”

I meet his gaze, and for a second, I forget we’re pretending. Because the way he’s looking at meb? /bIt’s all warmth, all confidence, like I’m the only person in the room.

I nod, somehow finding my voice. “Very small.”

Zane exhales sharply through his nose. “Right,” he finally muttersb, /bhis voice low and tight. “Wee aboard.”

Liam smirks. “Thanks, mate. I’m sure it’ll be a trip to remember.”

b3/4 /b