Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(30)

Still, there was something too perfect about him. Something in his eyes I found unappealing. But maybe I was being too judgemental. Incredibly good-looking men were very intimidating, after all. Not to Elodie, of course, but to Ellen they were mythical creatures to be gazed at and never spoken to.

It was a good thing I was here as my alter ego tonight.

“So, Elodie, how did you and Julian meet?” he asked as we danced. It was hard to hear him over the music, which was probably why he leaned close to speak in my ear. His hot breath danced across my skin.

“We live close by and met at our local coffee shop,” I replied, answering as honestly as I could in case he happened to ask Julian the same question. I sensed an uneasy vibe between them and suspected Warren’s date, Marie, might be an ex of Julian’s. The woman had practically eaten Julian up with her eyes, even though she was on the arm of the most attractive man in the room.

“How quaint. I thought you might’ve been a client of his.”

A client? I realised I still hadn’t asked Julian what he did for a living. When we spoke, I always got so distracted, fascinated by every word that came out of his mouth. I didn’t want to give anything away, so I simply replied, “No, I’ve never been his client.”

Something I said piqued Warren’s interest. “Well, if you’re ever interested, I’d be more than happy to take you on.”

“Oh? You’re in the same business?”

“We are. Just ask Marie if you’d like a reference.”

Okay, now I was confused. Luckily, the song ended and Julian swooped in. “My apologies, but I have to steal Elodie away. There’s someone I’d like her to meet.”

“Of course,” Warren replied, taking my hand and kissing it in farewell, a seductive glint in his eye. “Until we meet again, beautiful Elodie.”

I linked arms with Julian and he led me away. “Wow, he’s intense.”

Julian gave an amused laugh. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“How do you know him anyway? Is Marie an ex of yours?”

He arched an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

I shrugged. “The way she looked at you.” A pause as I glanced at him. “The way you looked at her.”

He seemed hesitant to answer, not meeting my gaze. “I guess you could call her something of an ex, though we were never in a relationship.”

“So, she was a hookup?”

“Along those lines, yes.”

“And you don’t like Warren because she’s with him now?”

We walked by a table of hors d’oeuvres and I swiped a little cracker with salmon and cream cheese. I’d been so nervous for tonight that I’d barely eaten all day and hunger was starting to creep up on me. Julian exhaled deeply and guided me further through the fancy room.

“There are many reasons why I dislike Warren, but none of them have to do with his current relationship with Marie.”

I popped the cracker in my mouth and chewed. “Okay, so tell me one of them.”

“Has anyone ever told you it’s impolite to speak with your mouth full?”

“Elodie never claimed to be a lady. Now spill. I want to hear why you hate Thor, Supermodel Edition.”

Julian laughed at this. “Hate is a very strong word. But one of my main gripes with Warren is that he tried to seduce Rose a few years ago, with every intention of discarding her afterward.”

Huh. Rose was the woman who’d come with him to the bookshop. “Were you and Rose together at the time?”

He shook his head. “Rose is my closest friend. We’ve known each other since we were children and our mothers entered into a polyamorous relationship with one another. In fact, she’s more like a sister.”

“A polyamorous what?” I gaped at him. If I hadn’t already swallowed, I might’ve choked.

“Polyamory is when you enter into a relationship with more than one person. Unlike me, my mother was bisexual, though she had a preference for men. Anyway, the point is, Rose and I have been through a lot together, and I was not going to allow Warren to hurt her. Luckily, she was wise enough to see through him.” He eyed me meaningfully.

“Don’t worry. I can see through him, too. There’s something not right about his eyes.”

Julian appeared relieved. “I’m glad to hear it. Warren will love you and leave you, Ellen…I mean, Elodie.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Elodie isn’t looking for a relationship right now.”

“And what about Ellen?” he questioned, seemingly interested.

“Ellen will be happy enough just to get by without having a panic attack every time a stranger tries to talk to her.”

Julian tutted. “That’s no life for a pretty girl like Ellen.”

He thought I was pretty? Colour stained my cheeks as I whispered, “We can’t always have it all.”

He turned to face me now, his face full of sincerity and warmth. “My dear, you can have anything you set your mind to.”

A silence fell as I looked around the room. These celebrities lived in a whole other world, and I certainly understood the ordinary person’s fascination. It was a world where everyone appeared to be living their best life. Julian didn’t seem to be a part of it, but rather, on the fringes. A welcome guest but not a fully-fledged member. I glanced at him and found him studying me.