Page 57 of The Fake Husband Deal

“I’m still angry with you both for not giving a mother the chance to throw a good wedding party, but I can see you’re happy together. You did well, Lior. Your father would be proud.”

She reached her hand out to Lior, who took it, but I felt him tense at her words.

“Thank you for your help, Mom. I’m afraid we need to get going if we don’t want to be more than fashionably late.”

Lior walked his mom to the door, where her driver was waiting for her.

“She’s scary,” I said when we were alone again.

“Nah. She’s a marshmallow. Now, I wasn’t kidding. We have to go.” He tapped my ass to lead me to the door. “Come on, sexy. We need to charm some people tonight.”

“Careful, Mr. Van Stern. I’m going to start thinking you’re with me just for my body.”

“It is a fine body.”

I groaned but followed him out, taking a deep breath as I took in the fresh evening air. I hoped it would give me the level head I needed to network like a motherfucker tonight.

Lior

I’d heard stories from my parents about how incredible the mayor’s ball was. My mother’s words had been enchanting and magical.

She wasn’t wrong.

From the moment we walked onto a red carpet of dancers and performers to when we entered the large ballroom at the botanical gardens, it was like we’d stepped into a different world.

The glass ceiling was filled with hanging lights that made it look like the night sky. All around the room, the trees were lit from beneath, making them glow.

“This place is… I have no words,” Noah said, looking over the room around us.

“I agree.” I pulled him closer and snaked an arm around his waist. “Tonight is going to be magical,” I whispered in his ear.

“You’re making promises again, Mr. Van Stern.” He ran a hand up my tuxedo jacket, stopping below my shoulder blade.

“Sometimes I look at you and wonder where you’ve been all my life,” I said.

“Probably in high school or college, you know.” He shrugged. “Being young and stuff.”

“And sometimes I look at you and wonder if spanking you would work that attitude out of you or if you’d enjoy it.”

“Enjoy it. Definitely enjoy it.” He took my hand and pulled us away.

“Where are we going?”

“The bar. I need a drink before I drag you out of here and make some husbandly demands.”

I laughed. “Husbandly demands?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Let’s get a drink.”

He didn’t need to keep holding my hand while we waited in line to get closer to the bar, but I liked that he did.

We were playing with fire, and I was going to get burned if I didn’t stop flirting with my husband.

“Can I ask you something?” I’d wanted to bring it up in the car, but he’d spent the ride asking questions about my mom and my childhood, and I hadn’t wanted to interrupt him.

“Of course.”