The next morning, Iwalked into Val and Carl’s townhouse with my hand on the small of Liv’s back. It wasn’t hard to sell this as a fake date, since it just meant I got to touch Olivia in all the small ways I’d wanted to touch her for years. She’d told me on the car ride over that I should touch her as much as I wanted because even as friends I was a very touchy person and her mother would pick up on it if I held back.
I was pretty sure there was no way her mom would pick up on our charade because Val had made enough comments over the years that I was pretty sure she knew how I felt about her daughter. I also wasn’t a touchy person with anyone except Olivia and Kayden—but I let that distinction go to avoid making this fake date any more awkward than necessary.
When we stepped through the front hallway and into the living room, my jaw dropped. The small card tables set up around the room were all filled not with Tarot cards and crystals, but with sex toys. There was one table piled high with vibrators and dildos; another with blindfolds, whips, and handcuffs; another with cock rings and various strokers.
“Uh, Liv,” I said, unable to look at her as the nature of this party sunk in.
This just became a whole lot more awkward.
“What the hell is happening?” she asked. “This is not what I expected. We can’t fake-date here.”
The sound of panic in her voice snapped me into action. I grabbed her by the waist and turned her to face me. “What do you mean we can’t fake-date here? You and I can fake-date anywhere.”
“This party is filled with sex toys. This is a sex toy party, and everyone is here as a couple and oh my God, Jace. We are not a couple. This is so awkward and I’m just going to go tell my mom I lied and you’re free to go.”
“Liv, wait,” I said taking a deep breath and staring at her until she did the same. “We can still do this. It’s not Tarot cards, but it’s not like someone is going to ask us to pick a toy and play with it at the party.”
She looked around the room again and blushed. “I’m so sorry I asked you to do this. This is all ridiculous. You’re with Kayden and you’re here pretending with me instead of being with him.”
“Liv, Iwantto be with you right now. I’m happy you invited me to this.” I gestured to the party. “Sure, the details are a little unexpected, but fake date or not, my desire to be with you today is very real.”
“Are you sure? I feel like this lie is going to get out of hand quickly.”
“I’ve got you, okay?” I said as I cupped her face and brushed my thumb over her cheek. “Just leave it to me. I won’t even have to act, I promise.”
She nodded, her breath hitching as I leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“There you are!” Val came rushing over and pulled Olivia into a hug. “Gosh, you two are adorable. I knew you’d be adorable. Aren’t you glad she finally made a move, Jace?”
I chuckled and hugged her. “If she hadn’t, we might not even be here.”
Olivia snorted and I squeezed her hand in warning.
“You’ve been crazy about her for years, right? Am I wrong?” Val asked.
“Mom,” Liv chided.
“It’s okay, Liv. She’s right,” I said looking at her and not Val. “I’m going to love the hell out of your daughter for as long as she’ll let me.”
Val beamed and Olivia blushed before turning to her mother and fixing her with a glare. “Mom, a warning about the contents of this bridal shower might have been nice.”
“Isn’t this fun?” Val said, rubbing her hands together. “It was a surprise to me too, but I bet you two will find something to spice things up a bit.”
“Thanks, Val, but I already have most of these at home,” I said.
She squeezed my shoulder and squealed as she laughed. “I just love him, Livvy. He’s so funny.” She waved down someone passing us by and disappeared as fast as she’d appeared.
“Really? Aren’t you laying it on a little thick?” Liv asked.
“Not at all. I haven’t lied yet,” I said, taking her hand as I walked us into the living room.
“Really? Mr.I already have most of these,” she said, cocking an eyebrow and mocking me again. “I’ll love her as long as she’ll let me.”
I chuckled. “Both true statements. Never been a fan of the Fleshlight though, if I’m being honest, so I can’t say that I have one of those.”
“Oh my God,” Liv groaned with an eye roll. Still, she was smiling and looked happier than I’d seen her in weeks. If I could give her an afternoon of fun, then that was my new singular focus. With all the stress she felt about Kayden and Kaylee right now, she deserved to have a fun,lighthearted afternoon. “I appreciate your commitment to the joke, but you can drop it now.”
“Why are you so sure I’m joking? You want to look inside my nightstand, Liv?” I asked. “We can leave right now and I’ll show you the proof. Or call Kayden and ask him, he’s seen the evidence.”
