By admin Fake Dating My Ex’s Favourite Hockey Player Novel CH 18
EMILIA
When I get to Tessa’s apartment, the first thing I do is head straight for
the shower.
I take my time, scrubbing away the day–the mess, the stress, all of it. By the time I step out, I feel lighter, like I’m washing off a version of myself I don’t want to be anymore.
Perfect. That was the plan anyway.
I slap a bandaid on my hand, wrap my curls in a towel, and head to my bedroom. Clothes and makeup supplies are scattered everywhere–new things I bought over the past two weeks.
Tess didn’t want me at the bakery after the location got leaked. She was terrified for me. The thought makes me smile.
But then I spent too much of my bakery money on impulse buys, so I had to get back to work–despite Tessa’s protests. Funny, considering a few months ago, she was the one dragging me to work.
I didn’t just shop while I was home. I watched YouTube tutorials, learned how to dress cuter, do my makeup, and style my 4C hair. I’m no expert, but I’m way better than before.
I pull on a white crop top, a pink mid–thigh skirt, and the cutest sandals from my haul. My makeup looks good, it’s soft but pretty. I casually pin back some of my hair and step in front of the mirror.
And damn.
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I finally feel like a 24–year–old woman. Not some girl in frumpy clothes because her jealous ex couldn’t handle her looking good.
My hair is longer now. I like it this way. I like the way I look. I like this version of me.
The thought sends a giggle bubbling up my throat.
I really like her.
I grab my purse, still grinning at my reflection. It’s been so long since I felt this good–since I felt like me.
Not the girl who had to shrink herself for a man too insecure to handle her shine.
Not the girl who second–guessed every outfit, every decision, threw away every tube of lipgloss, afraid Zane would see and think I wanted to be ‘unnatural‘ like other girls.
No. That girl is long gone.
I spin once, just to admire the swish of my skirt, then grab my phone. Liam should be here soon. I check the time and-
A knock at the door.
Right on cue.
I take one last deep breath, then head for the door, my sandals clicking against the floor. When I pull it open, Liam is standing there, dressed in a crisp button–up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, looking effortlessly put together. His eyes scan me, from my curls to my shoes, and something flickers in his gaze.
“You clean up nice,” I say honestly, leaning against the doorframe with a
smirk.
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His lips twitch like he’s holding back a smile. “So do you.”
I raise a brow. “Was that hard to say?”
“Painfully.”
I laugh, grabbing my purse. “Come on, pretty boy. Let’s go give the paparazzi a show.”
Of all the places I thought we’d go, this was not on the list.
I raise an eyebrow as Liam pulls into the parking lot.
Of an amusement park.
My left eye twitches. “Liam.”
He smiles–really smiles. Not like the fake ones he gave me two weeks ago. No. This one is real. Because he’s enjoying my annoyance.
“Yes, ma’am?”
I exhale sharply. “Explain,” I say slowly, watching him unbuckle his seatbelt. “In three sentences or less, why exactly are we here?”
If possible, his smile gets even bigger. And damn, he’s beautiful. The sunlight hits his blue eyes just right. His dimple shows. He runs a hand through his blond hair and shakes his head.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand your question.”
“Liam-”
He starts ticking off on his fingers. “Request one: somewhere casual. What’s more casual than an amusement park? Request two: great scenery.
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Achieved–this used to be a botanical garden. Request three: good food.” He lifts a perfectly arched brow. “Do I need to keep going? Plus, the paparazzi can take all the pictures they want.”
I glare at him, but he just grins wider, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
“Fine,” I mutter, crossing my arms. “But if I have to go on one of those godforsaken roller coasters, I will personally ensure your untimely demise.”
Liam chuckles, looking like he would risk it. “Duly noted.”
With a dramatic sigh, I push open the car door and step out. The smell of popcorn, funnel cakes, and fried everything fills the air. Children shriek with laughter. A giant stuffed panda dangles from a game booth, taunting
- me.
Liam walks around to my side, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’ll win you one of those.”
I snort. “You wish you had that kind of aim.”
His eyes gleam with a challenge. “Is that doubt I hear?”
“Oh, it’s strong doubt.” I smirk.
Liam shakes his head and holds out a hand for me to take. I ignore him and head straight for a cotton candy stall.
“Come here,” I say, waving him over.
He steps closer, reaching for my hand. I swat it away.
“I’m not asking to hold your hand, dummy.” I point at his pocket. “Hand over the wallet. The whole world thinks I’m a gold digger–I should at
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least live up to expectations.”
Liam gives me a look but pulls out his wallet anyway. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“And yet, here you are, still entertaining me.” I snatch the wallet from his hand with a sweet smile.
I turn to the vendor and beam. “One large cotton candy, please. Put it on his tab.”
The vendor glances at Liam, who sighs and nods. “She’s extorting me.”
“Damn right I am,” I say, tearing off a fluffy piece of pink sugar and popping it into my mouth. I hum dramatically, savoring it.
Perfection.
I don’t notice Liam watching me as I walk away from the stall, happily munching on my cotton candy. I plop down on a nearby bench, and he joins me a moment later.
Our eyes meet, and my face heats up.
Isn’t this a bit shameless? Eating while the person who bought the food just sits there, watching?
I clear my throat, pause mid–bite, and hold out my cotton candy. “If you wanted one, you could’ve just bought two, you know? But here–you can have mine.”
He keeps looking at me with that unreadable expression, then shakes his head. “I don’t eat sweets.”
I blink. “Wait, really? So what–you drink your coffee black?”
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He stares at me like I’ve just grown two heads, clearly trying to figure out how those two things are related. His blue eyes are filled with so much disbelief that I burst out laughing.
I don’t expect him to answer, but he does. “Of course. No sugar, no cream. Anything sweet is disgusting.”
I physically recoil. “Are you being for real right now?”
“Very,” he says, completely straight–faced.
“That’s…” I shake my head. “I have no words.”
Liam leans his head against his hand, his eyes still on me–but there’s something warmer about them now. A lazy smile tugs at his lips. “And you? Let me guess. You’re a sugar addict.”
“I am,” I declare proudly. “You should have been able to tell, I own a bakery. Remember?”
He snorts. “How repulsive.”
I gasp. “Excuse me?”
Liam smirks. “You heard me.”
I clutch my chest dramatically. “Wow. And here I thought we were bonding.”
“We are bonding,” he says, tilting his head. “Over the fact that you have terrible taste.”
I narrow my eyes. “Says the man who willingly drinks black coffee. You probably eat plain toast too, don’t you?”
His smirk deepens, but he doesn’t answer.
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I gasp again. “Oh my God, you do. Do you hate happiness? Joy? Do you wake up every morning and choose misery?”
Liam just chuckles, shaking his head. “Some of us enjoy the finer things in life. Like bitterness and reality.”
I stare at him in horror. “You sound like a 50–year–old divorced dad.”
“And you sound like a five–year–old on a sugar high.”
I huff, tearing off another piece of cotton candy. “Whatever. More for
me.”
Liam watches as I pop it into my mouth, his eyes lingering for a second too long.
“Disgusting.” he murmurs, but there’s no bite to his voice.
I grin. “Admit it, you’re jealous.”
“Not even a little.”