Fake Dating 19

 

CHAPTER 19 

“What’s something Whitmoore would find weird if I didn’t know that about you?” 

Liam walks beside me, a Mickey Mouse headband perched on his head-one I made him wear after buying it, with his own money, of course. His arms are loaded with plushies and stuffed animals, all won by me. 

After watching him fail miserably at winning a single prize, I got fed up, took over, and-well, let’s just say once I won one, I had to win more. 

It’s not my fault I can’t remember the last time I set foot in an amusement park. 

I wander ahead, scanning the stalls for something new to try. His question lingers in the air and I’m tempted to men- tion Zane’s visit. 

But really, that’s none of his business, I muse. 

I think for a second. “Nothing? I don’t think he actually knows that much about me either.” 

The words feel strange even as I say them. 

Liam’s eyebrows knit together. 

I mean, Zane and I were together for ten years. How can he know nothing about me? 

“I mean, he knows me on some level,” I clarify. “But not deeply. For instance, if you asked him what to get me for my birthday, he’d definitely have no idea.” 

Then something pops into my head. “Oh! Maybe you should know my allergies? I’m allergic to fish and roses-but he didn’t even remember that. He got me roses for our ninth anniversary. And he always ordered sushi whenever I said I was hungry, so…” I trail off. 

I keep my eyes ahead. I don’t want to see Liam’s expression. I didn’t say it for pity anyway. 

He doesn’t say anything for a while, just silently following me while I lead him to our next destination. 

After paying for a rental locker for some of the stuff we got, Liam and I stand in line for the bumper cars, the crowd buzzing with excitement. This time, he doesn’t even hesitate-before I can ask, he pulls out his card, ready to pay. 

See? We’re making progress. 

As we wait, I spot a small group of kids huddled off to the side, deep in what looks like a very serious discussion. 

One of them, a little girl with pigtails, crosses her arms. “We can’t go on the ride! Mum only gave us fifteen bucks,” 

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she says, frowning at the price list. She starts counting on her fingers. “We’re ten dollars short.” 

The smallest of the three, a boy who can’t be older than six, clutches his hat and tugs on his big brother’s sleeve. “What if we just tell the lady we really, really, really wanna go? Will she let us?” 

His older brother pats his head like he’s the dumbest person alive. “Of course not.” 

The girl groans and stomps her foot. “Mum said she’d be back in a few minutes, but she’s been gone forever!” She jabs a finger toward an older woman a few feet away, who’s watching them but doing absolutely nothing to help. “And Nanny Hilda won’t even do anything-she’s just staring!” 

At the sound of her name, Nanny Hilda gives them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. 

The three kids groan in unison. 

I bite my lip to hold back a laugh. Liam notices and follows my gaze. “What?” 

I nod toward the kids. “Give me your card.” 

His brows furrow. “Why?” 

I smirk. “Didn’t you hear? They’re ten bucks short.” 

Before Liam can say a word, we reach the front of the line. I flash the lady a bright smile and pay for five tickets. Then, without giving him a chance to protest, I grab Liam’s arm and drag him towards the kids. 

They’re still deep in discussion, and just as we approach, I hear something about selling Nanny Hilda’s hideous Christmas scarf. I nearly choke on my laugh but manage to keep it together. Squatting down slightly, I put on my warmest, most non-threatening voice. “Hello!” 

The kids and their nanny snap their heads toward me. Nanny Hilda just gives another enthusiastic thumbs-up. 

The older brother narrows his eyes. “Who are you?” His younger sister and brother immediately hide behind him. Then, he frowns at Liam. “Aren’t you that guy from the beverage ad?” 

I pfft- so hard I almost lose my balance. Liam’s glare practically burns’a hole in the side of my face. I know he’s silently cursing me for dragging him into this. But instead of snapping, he actually goes along with it. 

“I heard you guys were short on cash,” Liam says smoothly, flashing a dazzling smile. “So, I decided to help.” 

My eyebrows shoot up. 

Oh? Now he’s taking credit for my good deed? I open my mouth to call him out, but before I can, the little girl steps out from behind her brother, her eyes practically sparkling with hero worship. 

“Benji! I told you scanning the code on TV was a good idea! Look! Now he magicked to us after we scanned his code!” 

Benji sighs like he’s already so tired of life. “He’s not magic, An.” 

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Liam chuckles. “Unfortunately, Benji’s right, An. I’m not magic.” 

The kids gasp in unison. Definitely not realising they gave their names away. They look so stunned that I’m certain they completely believe he’s some sort of mythical creature or something. 

Oh, now they definitely think he’s not lying. 

I slap a hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter, but Liam pinches my side so hard I yelp, then dissolve into a coughing fit. 

Once I recover, Liam smirks and holds out the tickets. “But today’s your lucky day. I got three tickets for you guys.” 

The little girl’s eyes go even wider. “You’re serious?” 

Liam holds up the tickets like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Yep.” 

For a moment, none of them move. Then, the littlest one suddenly runs out from his brother’s shadow and launches himself at Liam’s legs, clinging to him like a koala. “You’re the best ad guy in the world!” 

Liam snorts so loudly I nearly lose it. I fan myself with my hands, trying so hard not to burst out laughing. He pats the kid’s head with a warm smile. “I try. Now go have fun, kiddo. And stay out of trouble!” 

The kids take off, excitedly racing toward the ride. I let out a deep sigh and stand up straight just as Liam steps beside me, arms crossed. 

“You just couldn’t leave them alone, huh?” 

I grin and grab his wrist, dragging him towards our turn. “Obviously. And you stole all my thunder! Now they think you’re the nice guy.” 

As we climb into our bumper cars, I glance back at the kids, now happily climbing into theirs. 

Liam smirks. “You’re just jealous.” 

I raise a brow. “Coming from you?” 

Before he can respond, the ride starts- 

And I slam my car straight into his. 

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