My lips tug into a grin. “You’re going to help me out?”
“Sure, why not? So, where did we meet? How long have we been together?”
As I reach across the table and grip Hannah’s hand, I lift my head and meet Zac’s curious gaze from across the bar. Something twists in my gut, but I push it down and focus back on my fake girlfriend.
I don’t know if this will work, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Chapter 11
Noah
“It’s not too late to back out,” I mutter as I hold the door open for Hannah. “I won’t hold it against you.”
She laughs and pats my chest. “Let’s do this, sugar daddy.”
I snort, slipping my hand into hers and squeezing. “Don’t lay it on too thick.”
“Is he here?” she asks, peering around the busy bakery.
It’s nine twenty-five, so we’re technically early, but of course Dad’s already here. “The guy in the navy suit with a stick up his arse in the corner. Last chance. Are you sure about this?”
Hannah rolls her eyes and drags me over to the table.
“Hi, Mr Bentley,” she says sweetly, holding her free hand out. “I’m Hannah. It’s lovely to meet you.”
My father’s gaze locks on our entwined hands before he reaches for Hannah’s outstretched one. “The pleasure is mine,” he says in a tone that conveys it’s anything but. He waves for us to sit down across from him.
I pull out her chair before taking the seat next to her as a waitress places three cups of coffee in front of us.
“I took the liberty of ordering while I waited.”
“Ofcourse you did,” I mutter.
Dad ignores me. “So, Hannah,” he says, folding his hands on the table, “how long have you and Noah been seeing each other?”
“Two and a half months,” she answers without a beat, gazing at me with a soft smile. “We were paired together for a business ethics assignment. I guess I couldn’t resist his charm.”
Dad’s brow lifts. “You’re studying business?”
My fists clench at his condescending tone. “She’s one of the smartest?—”
Hannah squeezes my knee under the table in warning. “Yes, sir. I’m hoping to go into marketing or brand management.”
Dad gives a curt nod. “Ambitious.”
I turn away so he doesn’t see my eye roll, but when I look over Hannah’s shoulder, I notice Zac standing at the counter with the two girls he was with after the game last night. The blonde is waving her hands around, but when Zac gestures back, I realise they’re communicating in sign language. The brunette laughs and touches his arm, and he smiles an easy, crooked smile that does something to my insides.
“—Noah?” Hannah’s voice tugs me back. She smiles and reaches up to cup my cheek, bringing my attention to her. “Everything okay, babe?”
“Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. She’s playing her role to perfection. I owe her big time. “Sorry, I just zoned out.”
Dad frowns. “You might want to pay attention when someone’s talking to you.”
“Sorry, baby,” I apologise again, leaning over to press my lips to her temple. “I’m tired after the game last night.”
It’s not a lie. I left Carter’s after coming up with this plan with Hannah, but I tossed and turned all night. Itdidn’t help that the chick Dane brought home was a screamer. They finally fell asleep around three, but when my alarm went off at six for recovery, I don’t think I’d had a wink of sleep.
The waiter delivers a selection of different pastries to the table, and I force myself to eat despite the massive rock sitting in the pit of my stomach.
