Page 22 of Love is Fake (Love is Everything #1)

There’s lots of handshaking, manly backslapping and a mass of introductions.

I make a mental note of who I need to speak to as Lennox expertly circulates us through the room, introducing me as his ‘friend’.

He makes sure to include me in conversations and tees me up with a few big-hitters to talk about the clinic, without me even needing to ask.

For all his talk of not liking crowds or stuffy events like this, he’s a natural; charming, polite, engaging.

He’s been by my side the whole time. Enough for me to get comfortable and a tad disappointed when he’s finally pulled away by his sponsor for a private discussion, but he still looks at me to make sure I’m alright.

He’s been attentive to me all evening, checking on me and basically being the perfect date.

“I’m fine, you go ahead,” I nod my assurance as he comes over to check on me. “I’m good here, just gonna take a little breather.”

It’s been a whirlwind and I could use a few minutes alone, off to the side of the room.

“You’re sure?” He frowns down at me as if he doesn’t quite believe me.

I give him my best confident smile. “Go. You’ve got work to do.”

His eyes lock on mine for the longest time, like he’s trying to read me. Whatever he sees there must satisfy him because slowly, reluctantly, he lets the other men lead him away.

I push away the bereft feeling that rears its head as soon as he leaves.

I’ve spent my entire life being independent, certain I don’t need a man, unwilling to let myself fall for anyone after I saw the mess love left my father in when my mother walked out.

But one night with Lennox is starting to make me question all of those things I thought I knew.

One fake night, I remind myself. This isn’t a date, it’s a business arrangement and I need to keep that in the forefront of my mind at all times, because it’s too damn easy to mistake Lennox’s attentiveness and care as more than courtesy.

If anything, it’s a stark reminder that he’s a decent guy despite my first impressions of him.

Everything I’ve seen from that point on has driven that certainty home.

Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I take a deep gulp as if I can swallow down the completely inappropriate thoughts I’m having about Lennox as easily as the bubbles.

“And who is this lovely creature?” A man old enough to be my father looks over me lasciviously and I instantly feel like I need a shower.

His suit jacket is straining over a sizable gut and his face bears the unmistakable markers of someone who really likes his drink.

If I were anywhere else, I’d make a beeline for the nearest exit. But this is a formal gathering and not only do I not want to piss any big hitters off, I also can’t just leave without Lennox. That leaves me with no choice but to woman up. I figure I’ll be able to slip away at some point.

“I’m Izzy.” I hold my hand out for him to shake out of politeness rather than any desire to actually touch this man.

Instead of shaking my hand, he lifts it to his mouth and delivers a damp kiss to the back of it like a poor imitation of some European count.

“Well, Izzy, you are a sight to behold, and all on your own.” He smiles, showing too many teeth as he talks directly to my cleavage.

I snatch my hand back from his grasp, resisting the urge to wipe off the remnants of his kiss.

“I’m just waiting for my friend.” I send him a tight smile, trying to ignore the way he’s edging towards me like a predator sizing up its prey.

I look around for Lennox, hoping he’s nearly done with his meeting, but I don’t see him anywhere and this guy is starting to get a little too handsy for my liking.

“I have a suite upstairs,” the man cuts into my thoughts.

“That’s nice for you,” I mutter, distractedly, still searching the crowd.

“It could be very nice for you .” Mr. I Can’t Stop Looking At Your Boobs makes his meaning very clear and I’m about one second away from throwing the remnants of my champagne in his face.

“Izzy, there you are!” A man I don’t recognize appears by my side, smiling broadly in a way that reminds me of Kai. He sends me a deliberate wink and I breathe an internal sigh of relief.

“Here I am!” I reply brightly, playing along.

I smile at the newcomer gratefully, glad it’s not just me and Mr. I Can’t Stop Looking At Your Boobs on our own anymore.

“Sorry, Roger, I just need to steal Izzy for one moment.” The newcomer takes my elbow gently and leads me away before the older man has a chance to object.

“Thank you for that,” I tell him. My hand is shaking and I’m not sure if it’s out of anger or shock at what just happened. Did ‘Roger’ really just proposition me, touch me, like he could buy me?

He shrugs. “You looked like you needed a hand.”

“I did,” I admit, glad I didn’t have to resort to causing a scene.

I look over at the man who formulated my escape. I don’t recognize him as someone I’ve been introduced to yet. He looks to be about ten years older than me, so in his early thirties. He has the clean cut good looks that make him look like he belongs on a yacht or at the tennis club.

I stop when we’re far enough away from Mr. Boob. “You have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You know my name but I don’t know yours.”

“Jack,” he shakes my hand. “Jack Harris, and I only know you by reputation.”

Oh God, not another man who thinks I’m up for sale tonight.

He must see something in my expression because he hurries on.

“I’m Lennox’s surgeon, Doctor Jack Harris” he explains quickly. “Declan told me you were working with Lennox and I have to admit, I looked you up.” His cheeks redden his skin which is almost as pale as mine and his embarrassment is endearing.

“Oh, you did?” I cock my head at him, smiling at his openness.

“Purely from a professional standpoint, of course,” he adds.

“Of course,” I echo. “I would’ve done the same and, to be honest, I should have already been in touch with you to talk about Nox’s treatment plan, but things have been pretty busy since I started working for him.”

“Well, I’d be more than happy to discuss whatever you need, perhaps over dinner?

” He asks the question so smoothly it takes me a moment to realize he’s asking me out.

“If you don’t think Lennox would mind?” he adds, his meaning clear.

This time, he’s asking if I’m here as Lennox’s therapist and friend, or as something more.

“That would be nice,” I smile. ”And I’m sure Nox wouldn’t mind,” I say firmly, confirming without saying it, that we’re ‘just friends’ as Lennox and I have both agreed.

I’m not sure why I feel a little guilty when I hand Jack my business card with my cell number on it. I haven’t done anything wrong, so why the hell does it feel like I have?

“Great!” Jack smiles broadly. We chat about our jobs and I discover he’s easy to talk to. After a few minutes I’ve all but forgotten how desperate I was to leave after Roger the Pervert’s innuendos.

I can feel the moment when the relaxed atmosphere between us changes and I know without turning around that Lennox is at my back. It’s as if my body is completely attuned to his presence and I’m not sure when that happened.

“Sorry I left you alone for so long, Isabella.” His deep voice vibrates through me and the way his tongue dances over my name causes goosebumps to raise over my skin.

This isn’t the moment I’m going to allow my body to betray me, so I keep my crap together, even as Lennox inches close enough that his arm brushes against my bare skin.

“I wasn’t alone, Jack’s been keeping me company,” I say and nod towards the man in question.

I don’t miss the tick of annoyance in his jaw at my words. It makes me wonder what the hell has gotten into him.

Jack frowns a little as he takes in Lennox’s closeness to me and the tension amongst our little threesome thickens up.

“Isabella and I have some work to discuss, Doc.” Lennox doesn’t finish his sentence with ‘so would you kindly fuck off,’ but he may as well have from the dismissiveness in his tone.

“It was great to meet you, Jack.” I smile so hard my cheeks hurt, trying to make up for Lennox’s rudeness.

Jack’s eyes flick between the two of us as if he’s trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Needless to say, he’s not the only one.

“You too, Izzy. We’ll talk soon.” He taps his chest pocket where I saw him place my card, smiling brightly. His face sobers as he nods goodbye to the giant by my side. “Lennox, always good to see you.”

“Doc.” Lennox’s voice is more of a growl as he watches the other man weave through the crowd.

I wait until Jack’s out of sight and out of earshot before turning to Lennox, wrapping all the faux courage I can muster around my voice. “What bug’s crawled up your ass?”

“Is that the charm you used on the doc to make him look at you like he’s hearing a damn choir singing in the background?”

“Jack was just being friendly.”

“Oh, so it’s ‘Jack’, is it?” There’s a definite edge in his voice. I stare at Lennox, mouth practically agape. But Lennox wouldn’t know that because his eyes are still stuck on Jack, staring daggers into the man. If looks could kill, the good doctor would be DOA.

“Would you quit it? You sound like a jealous boyfriend!” I regret the word ‘boyfriend’ almost as soon as it’s out of my mouth, but isn’t that the story of my life?

No filter on the words that leave my lips.

To cover up my faux pas, I take another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

I’m a complete lightweight, but whatever. I need something to do with my hands.

When I hazard to look back at Lennox, I find he’s staring at me. Really staring at me. Like I’m a bug under a broken microscope.

“Dance with me.” It’s an order, not a request. It’s also completely out of left field, which I’m learning is very typical of him.