Chapter 400
Madison
The familiar routine helped. Steam milk. Pull shots. Wipe counters Smile at customers, Repeat. Mechanical movements that required no thought, left no room for wondering what Alexander was doing or thinking or planning.
Half an hour passed. Then an hour. The café emptied as people headed home for dinner, leaving only a few regulars nursing their drinks and working on laptops.
The bell above the door chimed.
I looked up automatically, my customer service smile already in place.
Christopher Allen stood in the doorway, looking comfortable in his business casual attire. He raised a hand in greeting, his expression warm and familiar.
“Hey, Madison.”
“Christopher.” Relief flooded through me. Someone normal. Someone safe. Someone who wasn’t Alexander Knight and all the complications that came with him.
“Can I get you something?” I asked.
“Cappuccino. Extra foam.”
I moved to the espresso machine, grateful for something to do with my hands. “Thanks for agreeing. I know it’s weird.”
“Weird’s my middle name. Christopher Weird Allen. Has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it?”
Despite everything, I smiled. “Your parents must be very proud.”
“They are. Especially when I tell them about my fake girlfriend who runs the best café in Connecticut.” He watched me work, his expression turning more serious. “So when does this fake relationship officially start?”
I set his cappuccino on the counter, the foam perfectly peaked. “I guess it already has. I told Alexander we’re together.”
“The billionaire ex–boss?”
“Yes.”
Christopher took a sip, nodding appreciatively. “Perfect as always. So what’s the game plan? Do we need to establish a backstory? How we met? When we started dating? Whether I’ve met your son?”
“Keep it simple. We met in the café. Started talking. Things developed naturally.”
He pulled out his phone, typing notes. “What about physical affection? Should we hold hands in public? Kiss?”
Heat rushed to my face. “No kissing. Hand–holding is fine if necessary. But nothing more.”
“Nothing more. Roger that.” He looked up from his phone, his expression gentler. “Madison, are you sure about this? Fake relationships can get complicated.”
“I’m in a fake relationship with you, Christopher. Not a real one. Don’t expect anything beyond what we’ve discussed.”
His smile dimmed slightly. “I wasn’t suggesting anything. Just making sure we’re on the same page.”
“We are. This is business. A favor. Nothing more.”
“Right. Business.” He pocketed his phone. “So why do you need a fake boyfriend anyway? What’s so scary about this Alexander guy that you’d rather lie than tell him the truth?”
I busied myself wiping down the espresso machine, avoiding his eyes. “It’s complicated.”
“Everything with you is complicated.” His tone was teasing but not unkind. “Come on, Madison. Help me understand. I’m
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Chapter 400
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playing your fake boyfriend, I should at least know what I’m protecting you from.”
“You’re not protecting me from anything. You’re just helping me maintain some boundaries.”
“Boundaries from what?”
I set down the cloth, finally meeting his gaze. “From a man who thinks he can waltz back into my life and make demands. From someone who doesn’t get to decide what’s best for me and my son after five years of silence.”
Christopher’s expression shifted, understanding dawning. “He’s Ethan’s father, isn’t he?”
The words hung between us. I could deny it. Laugh it off. Change the subject.
But what was the point? Christopher was smart. He’d figure it out eventually.
“I’ll tell you when the time comes,” I said quietly.
He studied my face for a long moment. “Alright. I respect that.” He paused. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re handling this better than most people would. Fake boyfriend aside.”
“Thanks. I think.”
“So.” He leaned forward, his expression lightening. “Since I’m your fake boyfriend, I should probably know your favorite flowers. And your coffee order. And whether you prefer Italian or Thai food.”
I laughed. “You’re taking this very seriously.”
“I’m a consultant. I take everything seriously.” He grinned. “Besides, if we’re going to convince your ex–boss that we’re madly in love, we need to sell it. Can’t have me ordering you the wrong drink or showing up with carnations when you hate them.”
“I don’t hate carnations.”
“Alright.” He pulled out his phone again. “Favorite flowers. Go.”
“Christopher.”
“This is important, Madison. What if Alexander asks me what I gave you for our anniversary? I need details.”
“We’re not having an anniversary.”
“Fake anniversary. Keep up.” His fingers hovered over his phone. “Come on. Favorite flowers. I’m waiting.”
I opened my mouth to respond when the bell above the door chimed. My mother walked in, holding Ethan’s hand, both of them looking windswept from the short walk.
“Madison!” My mother called out, spotting me behind the counter. “We finished at the library early. Someone couldn’t stop talking about dinosaurs long enough to pick out books.”
“I picked out five books!” Ethan announced proudly, bouncing on his toes. “All about T–Rexes!”
Christopher turned to Ethan. “Five books? That’s impressive.”
Ethan beamed at the attention. “I’m gonna read them all tonight!”
“All five?” Christopher raised his eyebrows. “That’s ambitious.”
“I’m a very good reader,” Ethan informed him seriously. “Miss Daisy says so.”
My mother finally made her way to the counter, her eyes landing on Christopher with obvious interest. “Christopher! How lovely to see you.”
“Mrs. Harper. You’re looking well.“.
“Oh, stop.” She waved a hand, but her smile was genuine. “How have you been? How’s business?”
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“Busy, which is exactly how I like it, before your daughter distracted me with questions about anniversary gifts.”
My mother’s eyes lit up. “Anniversary? Did I miss something?”
Heat flooded my face. “No! It’s not… we’re not…”
Christopher jumped in smoothly. “Just theoretical planning. Madison was helping me brainstorm ideas for a client’s anniversary celebration.”
The lie came so easily I almost believed it myself.
“How thoughtful,” my mother said, though something in her expression suggested she wasn’t entirely buying it. “Well, don’t
let us interrupt. Ethan and I just stopped by for a snack before heading home.”
“Cookies!” Ethan chimed in, already eyeing the display case. “The chocolate ones with the sprinkles!”
“After you ask nicely,” I reminded him.
He turned to me, clasping his hands together. “May I please have a cookie, Mom? With sprinkles?”
“Much better.” I grabbed the tongs. “One cookie coming up.”
“Can I have milk too?”
“What do we say?”
“Please?”
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