Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(73)

Dad and Shayla were at the head of the table, and I had to admit, they did seem pretty happy.

“Your tits look fucking fantastic in that dress,” Julian whispered, and I shot him a warning glance. I didn’t want either of my brothers to hear, and certainly not my dad. Some guests approached to give their congratulations to the happy couple.

“Well, I guess I owe you fifty pounds then,” Nick sighed to Cameron.

For once, my grumpy brother looked pleased with himself. “Yes, you do. And I don’t take checks.”

“Why do you owe him money?” I asked quizzically.

Nick kept his voice low. “We made a bet on whether Shayla’s ex-husband would show up to the ceremony at the very last minute and object to the wedding.”

I laughed. “Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know. I just liked the idea of it. The drama.”

“Her ex-husband is an accountant. Accountants don’t do drama,” Cam said.

Julian and I shared a secret look. Accounting was my fake profession for Elodie, and she’d certainly not been the sort of woman to shy away from adventure or drama. “I don’t know, maybe he has a wild side,” I put in.

“Well, it appears he doesn’t since he never showed up and now I’m out of pocket,” Nick griped.

“It’s your own fault for being so fanciful,” said Cameron.

There was an announcement that food was about to be served and the guests chatting with Dad and Shayla went to take their seats. We were served gazpacho for a starter, and then for the main course, we had roast pheasant.

“Yay, tiny chickens,” Nick grinned, and I rolled my eyes. He was such a big kid sometimes. I sensed someone’s attention and glanced up. Shayla was eyeing me strangely and I couldn’t tell why. Her gaze went to Julian, hardening somewhat, and a chill went through me.

Why was she looking at him like that?

Before I had time to analyse the thought, Shayla cleared her throat. “So, Julian, you never mentioned what you do for work.”

I stiffened, growing defensive. “Why do you want to know?”

My dad did a double take at my snappish tone. Up until this point, the conversation had been nothing but cordial. “Ellen, don’t talk to Shayla like that. She’s only making conversation.”

She’s being a bitch, is what she’s doing, I thought to myself, quickly putting two and two together. She’d recognised Julian yesterday. Obviously, she must know him from somewhere, must’ve remembered him and figured out his profession. Maybe one of her friends told her about him or introduced them at one of those fancy parties he attends.

“She’s being nosy,” I clipped, dropping my cutlery to my plate.

Julian’s hand found my knee and gave a gentle squeeze. When I looked at him, his eyes beseeched me not to make a scene. There was also a sadness, the same I’d seen in him earlier, only now it had multiplied.

All of a sudden, I felt like I’d lost him.

I couldn’t lose him.

“I’m not being nosy at all. In fact, I only ask out of concern for you, Ellen. You’re my stepdaughter now, and I wouldn’t like to see you being taken advantage of.”

“Is there something I’m missing here?” Dad asked, looking between the two of us.

“Yeah, I second that,” Nick added. “What’s going on?” He placed a hand to the back of my chair as though taking my side, even though he didn’t know what was happening. I loved him so much for that.

Shayla lifted a napkin and dabbed her mouth, keeping her voice low so that only those sitting at the table could hear. It was still far too many ears for my liking.

She turned to Dad, settling a hand on his arm. “Greg, remember last night when I thought I knew Julian from somewhere?” Dad nodded. “Well, now I’ve remembered and I’m gravely concerned.”

Dad’s brow furrowed, his hard stare resting on Julian. I stood from the table abruptly. “That’s it. We’re leaving. None of you can judge me, and certainly not you. You might know my dad, but you know nothing about me,” I said in defence, eyeing Shayla harshly.

A fire lit in her gaze. “Ellen, this man is not your boyfriend. He’s a paid escort. I know because a colleague of mine in London used to hire such men. She was widowed and lonely, but she had money. Often, I’d see her at parties with handsome young men on her arm. Several times she attended with Julian.”

Dad’s confusion turned to shock as his attention fell on me. “Ellen, is this true?”

“Please don’t blame her, Greg. Your daughter is a very wealthy girl, and she lives all by herself in a big city. Personally, I’m surprised she hasn’t been taken advantage of before now.”

“Oh, shit, Els,” Nick whispered, reaching out to squeeze my wrist.

After remaining silent, Julian finally spoke. “Mrs. Grant, I have never and would never take advantage of anyone. Whoever hires me does so of their own free will and there is absolutely no shame in it. I have no idea what you are trying to do here, but if you were so concerned for your new stepdaughter, then you might’ve considered taking her aside and speaking privately, instead of humiliating her in front of her family.”

Shayla’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Her family care about her. They have a right to know.”