All Chapters of Black Ties and White Lies: A Billionaire Fake Engagement: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

WINNIEThe wedding almost felt real—all the way up until the moment Archer’s driver shut the door to the town car and Archer and I were left alone in silence.He sits on one side of the car, staring out the window with his knuckles pressed to his lips as he gets lost deep in thought. I, on the other hand, sit all the way on the other side, awkwardly shifting in my seat because I hadn’t thought about removing the veil before getting in the car, and now it keeps getting caught.My pulse hammers through my veins as I try to think if I should break the silence between us or let him take the lead. An hour ago, we were locked in a kiss that felt far more real than I was expecting. Worse, it almost felt familiar. Like we’d done it before, like my lips knew his.I can’t stop thinking about it, but by Archer’s sudden cold demeanor, maybe he’s already pretended like it never happened. Even as the photographer took wedding photos of us, he didn’t act this way. He played the part of a loving husb

ARCHER“Are you just going to stand there?” I ask Winnie, taking a step closer to her so we’re shoulder to shoulder. There’s a slight chill to the air as it wraps around us, but she doesn’t give any indication that she wants to step out of the cold and into the warmth.“Yes,” she answers immediately, her neck craned as she looks up at the building in front of us.I sigh, setting down the heavy suitcase she brought from her apartment. “Can you at least tell me why we’re standing here staring at my house?”“Because it’s your house.”“Okay…” My words pause for a moment as I try to figure out what she means. “So we’re just going to stand in the cold, staring at my house?”My comment awards me a dirty look from her. At least she looked away from staring at the home I purchased two years ago. She huffs as if my questions are annoying her. “You were raised in New York. There’s no way you think it’s cold right now.”She’s got a point. “Can we at least judge my house from the inside? It’s weir

“No,” I squeak. Why does my name coming from his lips sound so sexual? Maybe I just need him to not talk at all. I’m tired, and it’s been a weird day. That’s the only reason I’m reacting to him this way.The slight smirk on his lips tells me he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t push it either. Instead, he seems to really think of a good story to tell the world about our first date. His fingers fumble with the fancy watch on his wrist. “For our first date, I did something private but over-the-top. Only the best for you.”My heart flutters inside my chest, even though I know none of this is real. It doesn’t matter. I can’t help but feel giddy to plan this with him. To imagine him planning some big, elaborate first date for me. “Tell me more,” I insist, my voice just above a whisper.“I flew in a private chef from Italy to make your favorite meal.”“And what’s my favorite?” I ask, knowing he won’t have any idea of what my favorite dish is. I’m curious to find out what his guess is, thou

WINNIE“So tell me, what was your first impression of Winnie?” Ruby asks, her tone excited, like she’s about to get the hottest new gossip.Maybe she is about to get the newest gossip. My stomach does a weird flip from nerves about what story we’re about to give this reporter. I thought we’d ironed out the details enough last night, but now with her staring eagerly at us, I’m worried we didn’t prepare enough.Archer lets out a low chuckle that sends shivers down my spine. Or maybe it’s his thumb absentmindedly tracing circles on the center of my palm that makes my skin break out in goosebumps.“I’m not sure I could tell you my first impression.” He looks over at me, something unreadable in his eyes. I so badly want to ask him what the pause in his words means—why he’s looking at me like whatever is running through his mind is both happy and sad. “I’ve known about Winnie for as long as I can remember. It’s no secret that our families have…history.”Ruby laughs. It doesn’t have the same

WINNIEEMMACan I just say how grateful I am to have rich friends? I can’t wait to party tomorrow night with all of New York’s finest men!MARGOI remember our NYU frat parties still being very fun.EMMAGasp! Don’t let Beck read that text. He can’t know you ever had fun before him.MARGOShut up. You know he knows everything. I’ve even let him look at some of our old, drunk college videos.EMMAIf you showed him the one from Halloween sophomore year I will end our friendship right now.MARGOBeck says you made such a great naughty nurse!EMMAMARGO MORETTI I AM SO MAD AT YOU RIGHT NOW.My fingers hover over my keyboard as I think about what to say back to Margo and Emma, but I can’t think of anything. It feels weird to talk about our drunk college days when I’m keeping such a big secret from them.I got married. And neither one of them was there. I know whenever they find out about the marriage—which they will, and soon—it’ll crush them both to know I didn’t include them.The guilt e