Liar (a FAUX-MANCE novel) Read online

  Nick quickly dialed a number into his phone before walking off. Tony could hear him tell his assistant, Eve, to cancel the rest of his day as he walked outside the building on a mission.

  “I hope he gets her the pink ones,” Tony chuckled.

  Cori sat in a chair as James applied her makeup. He was as good at makeup as he was acting, which made for a great back-up plan career wise, and for her as a friend in desperate need of a spruced-up look. She stared at her own reflection, watching the transformation while trying to stay still, when a deep, boisterous hello boomed, echoing throughout the room. Cori jumped, her gaze darting to the corner of the mirror where she expected to see a large man to round the corner in the reflection.

  A tall, slender woman, in a white sequin gown, a feather boa, and platinum blonde hair that had to be three stories high, appear in the mirror instead, surprising Cori. Her sashay and whip of her boa as she walked was full of confidence and poise as she headed right for her.

  “Honey, how are you?” she asked James, leaning in to kiss each cheek before turning to Cori as she spun her chair around. “Darling, you must be Miss Cori. Aren’t you a cute little thing! Like a little pixie or somethin’. You just make me want to skip around and sprinkle glitter everywhere.”

  Cori was fixated on the tower of a woman in front of her. She was sparkle head to toe, and Cori was mesmerized by her poise, beauty, and rockin’ body in that form-fitting gown. Her voice was deep and sultry, and the bobbing Adam’s apple made it clear why.

  “Cori, this is my dear friend, and now your dear friend, Devina Devine — star of the off, off Broadway production of Miss Thang – The life story of RuPaul, Supermodel. She’s here to do something with that hair of yours,” James said, handing a brush to Devina.

  “You’re…gorgeous!” was all Cori could get out, earning her a laugh from James and Devina.

  “Call me Miss D, honey. You should see me without my face on, not so gorgeous…but I’m still pretty,” she teased. “I understand you have yourself a suga-daddy we need to fancy you up for.”

  “No. Oh my God, no. It’s not like that.” Panic set in. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she was using Nick for money when that was the furthest thing from the truth. She’d had no clue who he was when she grabbed him in the park and pulled him into her scheme.

  “Calm down, baby. JJ here,” Devina nodded to James, “filled me in. I got the deets. It’s allll good. But if he has money, honey, it may behoove you to make him your suga somethin’.”

  “I think it may behoove her to get a little somethin’ else from him that will make her scream daddy. He’s fine, girl.” James laid it out there, unashamed. “Someone’s a little to uptight these days, and I think she needs a little woohoo in the yahoo! It’s been a looong dry spell for this one.”

  Cori’s jaw dropped, mostly embarrassed by what her friend had just said. “I can’t believe you just said that, James. It hasn’t been that long!”

  “Okay. Is the same President still in the White House since…last time?” Devina asked.

  “Well…no.”

  “Has there been more than one new iPhone model since…you know…then?” James asked.

  “There’s been…two,” Cori said under her breath.

  “Was the sweet baby Jesus—”

  “Okay! Okay! I get it. It’s been a while. Can we just start with dinner, though, and I don’t know…getting to know each other first? I already need a drink, and dinner isn’t for two more hours,” Cori said, half-cocked, mostly because they were right, and because she was in absolute agreement that Nick would be a nice way to break her celibacy pact with herself. Too bad it wasn’t an option and double A batteries would have to do…for now.

  “Look. This was all just a big ruse. One that was supposed to last ten minutes, and that’s it. Now, I’m going to dinner with my fake fiancé to get to know him better and plan the rest of a really childish scheme that honestly serves no purpose other than to pull off…a childish scheme. This is beneath me, definitely beneath him, and I assume beneath the two of you. I appreciate your help. I need it if I’m going to make sense in that dress over there, but let’s talk about something other than getting laid because I’m about to lose my ever-loving shit over here.” The two nodding heads with sympathetic expressions suggested that perhaps they understood how stressed she really was. She got through to them in her mini breakdown, now she just had to get through dinner and she’d be able to breathe again.

  “I saw the dress hanging over there,” Miss D said with her arms crossed, suddenly serious, studying Cori. “I know exactly what we need to do to get his motor hummin’, honey.”

  “I’m doing the red lips, D,” James added. “If that doesn’t get him hummin’, then you and I have a better chance with him than this one does.”

  And they were back to getting her laid on the first date — classy — but she couldn’t help but laugh right along with them.

  Not even an hour had past, and they were swatting her ass into a changing room to get in her dress. When she came out, Devina held out her hands, displaying a gorgeous pair of strappy high heels that wrapped up the ankle.

  “Size seven, doll?” Devina asked.

  “Uh, yeah. Good guess.”

  “Here, these are from wardrobe. They were made for that dress,” Devina insisted, trying to give her the shoes.

  “Oh, I can’t take those. The pair I’m wearing will work just fine, but thank you.” Cori looked at her shoes, extending a foot to get a good glimpse at the black pair of heels she had on.

  “No,” Devina said. “You leave on those shoes and the dress dies, honey. It isn’t fair to the dress. You can’t. I won’t let you. This isn’t a meeting in the boardroom. Those things on your feet say let’s talk business. These beauties,” she said, holding up the shoes in her hand, “say let’s get down to business, baby.”

  CHAPTER 5

  “You look stunning,” Tony said, opening the door for Cori when she returned to Thorne. “Blackthorne’s a lucky man, kid.”

  “Thank you, Tony,” she replied, kissing his cheek.

  It was well after six, and it was oddly quiet in the building for a Tuesday evening. Cori was somewhat relieved. Though she knew she looked nice, stunning according to Tony, she felt a little insecure about her new look and wondered what Nick would think. She shouldn’t care — this was all just a game — but she did.

  “There was a delivery while you were gone. It’s on your desk. I locked your door. It seemed…valuable.” He smiled, nodding toward the elevator, encouraging her to go up and check it out.

  “Oh. Well, I suppose I can go put some of these things away and check it out.” She’d left most of her things with James to take home for her, but still had more than she needed for an evening out. Truth be told, she needed a minute to regroup. Something about being in the building and knowing Nick would arrive at any moment was starting to stir a sensation much like butterflies — nervous little butterflies.

  Her office was a nice reprieve. Everyone had already left for the day, so she had a moment to collect herself and do a final check in her mirror, uninterrupted. She was curious about the delivery Tony mentioned, though, and found it on the middle of her desk as he promised. It was a nondescript box, chocolate brown in color, with a bright pink satin ribbon wrapped around it in a bow.

  Inside, she found another box. One of those boxes every woman recognized. A black velvet box. She sat and stared at it. Did she dare open it? What did this even mean? The dress was one thing, but now jewelry? This didn’t feel much like something you exchange when plotting a little scheme. This felt like something else.

  She started with the small envelope on top of the velvet box, and pulled out the card.

  It goes with the dress. Called in another favor. I hope you like it. - Nick

  “How many favors does this guy have out there?” she asked herself as she opened the box and let out a long breathy sigh.

  Two quick rings o
n her desk phone had her attention. “Hello?”

  “Your gentleman has arrived. Shall I send him up?” Tony questioned. His smile could be heard in his voice.

  “No. No need. I’ll…be right down.”

  Gathering her evening bag and the box, she made her way downstairs. When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, she was met with a low, slow whistle, compliments of Tony. He had already seen her and commented on her look, so she knew it was just for dramatic affect. If she hadn’t known any better, she’d think he was trying his hand at playing matchmaker.

  What really had her attention, however, was the man standing next to him in a black suit, holding a bouquet of varying shades of peonies. Her favorite. His clean-shaven face revealed a strong chiseled jaw attached to that smile that surely got him anything he wanted. Now, she recognized him, and would have the other day at the park had it not been for the beard.

  She smiled shyly back at him as she made her way across the corridor, wondering what he was thinking. Why did this feel like he was picking her up for the homecoming dance or something? It was silly to feel so giddy and young. Maybe this was the part everyone said she had been missing. The excitement, thrill…and joy of it all.

  “You clean up pretty nice, Blackthorne,” she said with a wink.

  “I-I didn’t think you could look any…uh…more…nicer, but, uh…wow,” he stammered while kicking himself for sounding like such an idiot. “I mean, you look beautiful, Cori.”

  His expression shifted from dreamy to confused. “You’re not wearing the necklace. You didn’t like it?”

  “Oh.” She held up the box, nearly forgetting she had it. “I loved it, but I can’t accept it. It’s gorgeous, but it’s too much. What if I lose it or something? I could never replace—”

  “Wear it. It’s insured. And it’s yours, at least for tonight.”

  “I’ve never held something this extravagant, much less worn it. It’s too much.”

  “What if I told you it’s fake? Plastic stones, and the rest will turn your neck green if you’re caught in the rain.”

  “You’d be lying.”

  “Do you know that for sure?” He shrugged.

  She handed him the box and turned, lifting her hair so he could fasten the necklace. Quick to catch on, he was all hands with the flowers until Tony took them for him and gave him a nod. When she turned back around, her hand touching the necklace, her gaze was locked with his.

  “I’ll…uh, just put these in water and take them upstairs for you, honey,” Tony offered.

  Without breaking the stare, she smiled and softly said, “Uh huh. They’re lovely. Pink peonies are my favorite. Thank you.”

  “Shall we?” He extended his arm for her to take and led them out of the building to the waiting car.

  Tony hollered, “Have a nice time, you two!”

  To which he received a wave, tossed in the air, because words were absent between the two who’d yet to look away from one another or stop smiling.

  Mangenello’s was an Italian hotspot in the old, revitalized Foundry District of Portland. Anyone who was anyone ate there, if for no reason other than to be seen. That alone could put you on the map and get you in socialite circles. There was a waiting list that was typically months long, but of course, Nick had a favor to call in.

  The place was so exclusive, you didn’t check in for your reservation inside; only those with verified reservations and likely the commitment of their first born were allowed through those doors. With his hand at the small of her back, he led her to the podium where they knew Nick by name and escorted them right in. He must be a frequent diner, she thought.

  “Hold my arm,” he whispered.

  She tossed him a confused look, unable to hear him over the volume of chatter once inside. “Huh?”

  He smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek, but first whispered into her ear, “Hold my hand, or my arm. Need to look together.”

  “Oh!” She quickly grabbed his arm, and he laced his fingers through hers, pulled her hand up to his mouth, and kissed the back.

  An intimate move, she thought, but it was selling, because all eyes were on them as they crossed the restaurant. He was good. Maybe even better than she was.

  They were led right to their seats — a corner table with as much privacy as a booming place like this could provide — and Cori couldn’t help but feel out of place. She couldn’t afford an ice water here, much less a meal. Despite her portrayal of a cultured, well-to-do, high-rise city girl, she hadn’t a clue what to order, what wine went with what, or even how to address the staff. This wasn’t Mr. Chang’s Chinese food from below her apartment.

  “Do you mind if I order the wine? Or do you have a preference?” he asked.

  She assumed he was just being kind and gentlemanly, but wondered if it was obvious she didn’t know what she was doing and he was just offering her a solid to avoid any embarrassment. “Oh, go right ahead. I don’t have a preference. Whatever you like.”

  “And dinner?” he asked.

  “Well, I thought I was going to order spaghetti and meatballs, but I don’t see that on the menu,” she laughed.

  “Don’t be fooled by the menu. It’s just a bunch of fancy words for regular food. Try the Bolognese. It’s pretty close to what you’re looking for. Personally, I’d rather have pizza and beer, but that wouldn’t be a very nice first date.”

  “I would have loved it. Pizza is my favorite.”

  Of course, it was, he thought. She wasn’t the fussy type and was down to earth. “Next time? We’re a little over dressed for Gino’s Pizza.”

  “Next time?” she questioned with a raised brow. “Are you over there plotting, Blackthorne? Next time implies assuming this one goes over well.”

  “Isn’t it so far?”

  “So far…we’ll see how this fancy spaghetti plays out.”

  He laughed at her teasing, a sound that rippled through her and landed deep in her belly, causing her to cross her legs a little tighter. How his laugh evoked that reaction was beyond her, and she would make note to cool her tits later. This couldn’t go there.

  The waiter left their table with their order, promising a speedy return with their wine.

  “Oh!” he said, quick to reach inside his suit jacket. He pulled out a little black velvet box — a pattern it seemed. “Your ring came back,” he said, air quotes surrounding his words.

  “My what?” When she saw it, it dawned on her. Her imaginary engagement ring that had been off at the jeweler being sized, wasn’t so imaginary now. “You don’t have to do that, Nick. Seriously, you don’t…”

  He interrupted her by shaking his head and lightly nodding to the left, sending her attention that direction. She stuck her left hand out in front of Nick while plastering on the biggest fake smile she could muster up. Headed their way was Winnie and Phillip.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Well, look who it is!” Winnie said in her pitchy, singsong voice that drove Cori nuts. “What are the odds of running into you two twice in less than a week…when we’ve like never run into you before? Weird!”

  “Yeah,” Cori agreed. “Weird.”

  “We usually just…stay in,” Nick offered with a sultry look for Cori, his words dripping in innuendo. The ring now on the appropriate finger, Nick caressed the top of Cori’s hand with his thumb as he looked at her as if a private conversation was going on between them.

  “Oh! Well, us too.” Not to be outdone, Winnie had to one up them. “I mean, when we can. It seems everyone just wants to invite us to everything…busy, busy, busy. Oh, look! Your ring.”

  Winnie reached across the table for Cori’s hand and pulled it close so she could inspect the dazzling ring Cori hadn’t even had a chance to fully appreciate. The only thing missing was a jeweler’s loupe to size, class, and appraise the many diamonds. Winnie pursed her lips, and her expression became pinched when she looked between her own ring and Cori’s, then to Phillip.

  Like only Winnie could, she
tossed an insult in the form of a compliment. “Oh. Wow. Isn’t that…big. Personally, I don’t like to be so showy, or pretentious, but it looks good on you.”

  “Thanks. It is a bit much, but I love it because Nick picked it out for me. When he gave it to me, he pointed at each…and…every…diamond — like every single one — and told me what it represented in our relationship and why it was sooo special. He’s so…romantic that way. Ya know?” With a shrug and awestruck sigh, she rested her chin on her clasped hands and batted her eyelashes at Nick for good measure.

  “Oh. Wow. That is…romantic. Yeah, so Phillip basically did the same thing, and he’s like…oh no…there’s not enough diamonds…let’s get another ring. But I was like, it’s okay…we don’t need all of that to know how much we love each other. Do we Phillip?” When he didn’t immediately answer, Winnie elbowed him, pulling his attention from his phone, which he had been eyeing the entire time.

  “Oh. Yeah…what Winnie said.”

  “Well, that does sound…romantic, all right,” Nick said with a snicker. “Our food is about to come, but I bet we can get your order in and pull up chairs if you would like to join us?”

  Nick jumped in his seat when Cori kicked him under the table, and said, “But we understand if you can’t.”

  “Darn it, we just can’t. Too many wedding plans to tend to still. I mean, it’s right around the corner. We’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Chancellor in a matter of weeks! Right, dear?” Again, she had to nudge Phillip to get his attention because he clearly didn’t give two shits about any of it.

  “Yep. Winnie’s right,” he said with a smile.

  The couple started to turn and walk away when Winnie added a slam dunk. “Hey. If you aren’t busy Friday, why don’t you come to our cake tasting? You can see the cake design while we’re there. It’s extravagant, to say the least. Twenty-two layers! How will I ever decide what flavor to make each layer? I could use your help, Cori. Say you’ll come.”

  “Oh…work…busy…schedules…I don’t know…busy…work.” Cori didn’t see that one coming, and for the first time, she was caught by surprise and didn’t have a decent come back. Nor did she expect Nick would, but he did, and that caught her by surprise too.