#Chapter 30: The Happy Couple

Alexander “You’re all over the internet,” Gabriel said, sliding his phone across my desk. “The happy couple out for lunch.” I didn’t need to look at the photos. I’d lived through it just hours ago. Ella had fed me a pickle off her fork—a pickle—and I had to eat it just to appease the fucking paparazzi, because if I didn’t, they would never believe our farce. I didn’t even like pickles. Instead of answering right away, I took another sip of bourbon, letting it burn a hot path down my throat. Gabriel and I were sitting in my office with only the fire to light the room and a half-empty bottle between us. It had been a long day. “At least the stunt worked,” I said, refilling my glass. “The press seems to be buying it. And the people around us were giggling like a bunch of schoolchildren.” Gabriel snorted. “It seems to be working a little too well, if you ask me. #AlphaLoveBirds is trending.” He scrolled through more photos. “You do look… convincing, thou