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“I'll have a vodka martini,” I reply as I dig around for my clutch for any loose dollar bills.

“I'll get this,” a deep British voice appears next to me and I look up to meet his gaze.

Here he is.

“No, no. It's okay,” I reply, trying to sound flustered.

“Marc Cooper,” he holds out his hand and I take it.

“Roxanne Shay,” I lied.

“Hmmm,” his mouth thins into a line as he gives me the once over.

“What?”

“You don’t look like a Roxanne Shay,” he tells me teasingly.

I place my hand onto the bar for support as I turn towards him. “And what does a Roxanne Shay look like?”

He moves his body closer to mine before leaning over to whisper in my ear, “Certainly not as beautiful as you.”

I cover my hand with my face, turning slightly so I can pretend to blush.

“Here you go,” the bartender appears and he places my drink down in front of me. “One vodka martini.” He slips a black napkin underneath my glass and I pick up my clutch to look for the cash again.

“Thank you.”

“It’s alright, I’ve already put your drink on my tab.”

I look up to see Marc still peering down at me. I smile before picking up my glass and taking a quick sip. “So, Mister Cooper,” I say softly. “What brings you here tonight?”

“You mean, apart from standing here and looking at an exquisite creature like you?”

Men are so predictable.

“I’m here for business actually, my company thought it would be beneficial for them if they mingle with charities and other social gatherings for promotion.”

Oh, so he’s chosen to lie, that’s interesting.

I nod my head pretending to be engaged in the conversation as I glance around the bar. I spot Hayzel at a table flirting with her target. He has his hand on her ass and she has her prettiest smile plastered on her face.

I fight back the urge to laugh. It seems she didn’t need my help after all.

My eyes snap back to Marc and I’m back listening to our conversation. He flirts, telling me a little more about his background and family back in England.

He is a single man, lives alone, and never had kids either.

Which I didn’t believe at all going off the tan line around his ring finger but I guess we are all pretending to be someone else tonight.

Yet another lie I have caught him out on.

He pretends to accidentally touch my hand and arm in a suggestive manner and I entertain keeping up the false persona.

I flirt, also telling him about the life of Roxanne Shay which leaves him bemused.

“I just need to go to the bathroom quickly,” I tell him and he nods his head.

“I’ll get us another round of drinks.”