Billionaire Fake Date: A Grumpy Single Dad Romance by Emma Blake

Author:Emma Blake [Blake, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Layla

I sat up in bed, my head pounding like I'd thrown myself off a bridge last night. My limbs felt heavy, and my mouth was dry. Sunlight flooded my room in a bright light that worsened the headache. With a sigh, I lumbered out of my bedroom and into the bathroom I shared with Kate. I doused my face in cold water from the faucet before looking at myself in the mirror. Holy cow. My hair stood up on all ends, eyes reddened.

I remembered staying up way too late last night. Why, though? My foggy brain couldn't come up with a reason. Coffee would help clear my head.

I made my way to the kitchen, body heavy as a log of wood. Opening a cabinet, I took out a bag of coffee and made myself a pot. I sat by the counter on a tall stool, looking out the window, not thinking of anything particular. Somehow, the fact that I couldn't remember a thing was a comfort. A part of me dreaded whatever had brought about my harried state this morning.

The front door opened and shut, and a sweaty Kate walked into the kitchen, clad in a tank top, leggings, and running shoes. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and a big smile adorned her face, almost rivaling the sun's brightness.

“Hey, you,” she said cheerily.

“Your voice is so loud.”

“Oh, sorry.” She took out her earphones. “Didn't hear you come in last night.”

"Must've been quite late," I said into the rim of my mug, filling my mouth with the warm liquid. God, that tasted good.

“Ooh!” She leaned over the counter, her eyes twinkling. “What happened over at Troy's?”

Yesterday slammed back into my consciousness in high-resolution images: sketching with Evelyn, getting invited to dinner, meeting Allison and Thomas, Trent's question, kissing Troy, realizing it was all set up by him. I choked on my coffee and spat it out immediately. While I pounded my chest with a closed fist, Kate ran to my side and handed me a paper towel.

“Just breathe.” She placed a hand on my back and rubbed in circles.

“Thanks.” I wiped my mouth and runny nostrils. Wadding up the paper in my fist, I stared into the mug of ruined coffee.

Somehow, my brain had blocked out yesterday, but I remembered now. Troy told me everything. My jaw clenched almost painfully. How foolish was I to idolize such a man?

“What happened yesterday?” Kate asked quietly beside me.

Too embarrassed to admit I’d been used, I shook my head. "The usual. Painted with Evelyn, and I just stayed over for dinner."

“Hold up.” She sat opposite me. “Troy invited you to stay for dinner?”

I remembered how giddy I was when he asked me. Didn't realize he'd just done it to fit into his lies.

“Yeah.” I hopped off the stool and rinsed out the coffee mug in the sink. “No big deal, actually. I stayed late, so...I’m tired.”

“I thought you'd be more excited.” Kate's voice had lost its enthusiasm.

I faced my friend and shrugged.

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