Despite the urge to grab him by the arm and throw him into the nearest room for interrogation, I follow Robin toward Caleb. Careful to keep my distance, I make it look like I'm simply moving in the same direction while navigating the room. 

Branching away briefly, I ask Desi to hide the books I took from Robin's office somewhere safe until I can put them back. Then I hand off the autograph to the man who asked for his partner. He passed me a grateful smile, which I happily returned. From there, Robin weaved us through the crowd toward the back yard. 

It wasn't long before I heard the boisterous voice of Caleb ringing in the night.  He was standing beside the pool, sandy hair shining in the reflection of the lightbulbs strung along the yard. A crowd of people, including the one and only Maizy Barker, had gathered near him and were talking noisily. Upon seeing Robin and I come outside, he raises his arm slightly, as if to call out to us. That is until Robin makes a show of looking around uneasily and urges us into the darkened perimeter of the house. I watched Caleb play off his raised hand; He pretends to be straightening his jacket, eyes narrowing curiously on his cousin. 

We walked in the shadows of the yard, only appearing enough times to be tracked. My body burst into shivers, both due to the autumn night air and the bristling weight of Caleb following our every move. Robin continued toward what looked like a pool house at the side of the property. My heart contested every beat in my chest, and I exhaled slowly through puffed cheeks.

Maizy's small figure was swaying from side to side as she spoke enthusiastically to a woman on her left. Mentally, I was begging that she had terrible peripheral vision, or was exceptionally drunk so that she wouldn't notice Caleb trailing his eyes along the perimeter of the yard. It felt like everything was hinging on luck tonight, and I had never been a naturally lucky person.

Robin's hand brushed mine, and I ripped my eyes away from Maizy to stare at him. He nudged his chin in a subtle gesture toward Caleb, who was finishing his drink and moving to follow us. It occurred to me at this moment, that I had no idea what Robin's plan was.

Unlatching a small gate at the side of the yard, Robin guided me through in the dark, then latched it again with a click. His hand took mine and we walked up an unpaved path that led up toward the pool house. The rocks crunched under my heels, making me wobble on the uneven surface as the path turned into a small hill.

"Where are we--" I whisper but he turns around with his fingers on his lips. The moon casts just enough light for me to see him pointing down the little hill toward the shadowy figure tailing us. My eyes strain to see Maizy, and I can barely catch a glint of her gold dress before she steps out of sight. Please, God. Don't let her come up here. 

We reach a set of glass French doors, which open into a comfortable room. It's all one level with couches and a television on the right and a kitchen on the left. A closed door sits at the back of the kitchen, while a small hallway leads off from the living room. Robin shuts the front door and takes us that way.

"You are frighteningly good at this." I whisper, furrowing my eyebrows in concern.

It's too dark to see what he's thinking, so all I get back is, "Half of my life has been dodging paparazzi and outsmarting fake murderers."

"So, is this part of Robin's How to Survive Paparazzi guide?" I whispered, looking behind us but seeing nothing yet. "Or the part where I have to outsmart being murdered? Because the so far the suspense is killing me."

We move down the hall toward the first door, which leads to a sparsely decorated bedroom. Robin snorts, in response, not willing to give an answer on the subject. I grumbled at him, as we filed into the room. He leaves the door open just a crack behind us, before walking to a window where the moon is streaming in.

I followed, crossing the room to meet him by the window and rest my back against the wall. Brushing the hair from my face, I sigh a tense breath and shake out my hands. Robin opens the window enough for us to hear the party, standing across from me. 

After a moment, He leans on the windowpane, looking out. "Okay we're good until he gets here."

"So, what's the plan?" I question, hugging myself to keep warm. The moonlight is bright enough to reveal his face to me. I can see him worrying his lips as he stares outside.

Robin shrugs like it's apparent, "Let him catch us, and beg him not to say anything. Once Caleb's convinced that he has something on me, he'll stick close and milk it for what it's worth. I get to watch him, and make sure he doesn't say anything incriminating. He leaves with juicy gossip to tell Sam."

"Won't Sam tell everyone we're dating?" I shake my head, puzzled. "Doesn't that defeat the purpose."

Robin nods his head, back to looking out the window for Caleb, and makes a mmm-hmm noise, "But it doesn't matter. My folks stopped listening to the rumor mill a long time ago. If they have questions, they'll call, and I'll explain."

"Oh." I furrow my eyebrows, then throw up my arms defensively, letting them slap against the sides of my legs. "If it's that simple then why are we doing this?"

It's his turn to look confused, and Robin raises his eyebrows for emphasis when he says, "So he doesn't tell everyone here that he saw us at couples therapy.... He'll convince everyone that we're dating, or at least, sleeping together." 

I squirm at this, but Robin is too distracted to notice.

Running his hand through his hair a couple times, he sighs, "Caleb might be a jerk, but he's not always aware that he's a destructive jerk. Telling my family is inconsequential. Telling the troop of agents, journalists, editors, and co-workers in my house would be--"

"Right," I sucked in a sharp breath, and wiped my now sweating palms down the side of my dress. "Detrimental."

"To you and me." Robin finishes, then swallows tightly. "If we give him proof it's a secret, he'll keep it that way. It's just how he works."

"It's a little weird is what it is." I snort, rubbing my arms and moving around to pump some warmth back in my limbs. Frigid air trickles from the window, causing me shiver. If I had known we would be in the cold, I would have opted for a dress with sleeves.

Robin chuckles, messing with the buttons of his suit jacket, "Barring the scare house, this is objectively the least weird thing I have done with you yet. Even then..."

That says something.

"I agree that our projects together have turned out...unusual." The word is drawn out by my vagueness, and Robin rolls his eyes dramatically like that's the understatement of the century. 

Still, I insist on my point by saying, "But that was all in the name of research. We're fake dating for personal reasons tonight, which is objectively weirder than experiences that arise out of workplace demands." 

Robin gives me a straight-faced look while he slides off his jacket. As if it's second nature, he drapes it over my shoulders, and says plainly, "When you land the airplane in front of forty strangers and an old man while I pry into your past relationships, then we can compare experiences."

My body soaks up the jacket's lingering warmth instantly, and I shut my mouth. Okay. That's a good point.

Seeing that he made his point, Robin leans his shoulder harder against the window and looks at his shoes as we wait for Caleb to show. We sit in a comfortable silence, the only sound made is a rustle of cloth when I pull my arms through the sleeves of his jacket, winding it tighter around me. Relaxing back into the wall again, I let my mind wander. 

I want to ask exactly what we'll be doing to convince Caleb that we're a couple, but his mention of the scandal and the use of relationship in that last sentence makes a different question take priority.

My mouth dries, and I bite my inner cheek before saying, "She looked sad."

He stares at me, I can feel it, but I focus on warming my fingers to ease the intensity. "Delynn Crawley, I mean. She looked miserable... Why?"

"Because she feels guilty." He responds without hesitation. My eyes snap up to him, and I am almost breathless at receiving such a direct answer.

He nods, as if seeing the surprise on my face and taking it for doubt. "I had her back once, but, when I needed her to have mine, she let me down. She feels bad."

There's a click at the front door, and both our eyes widen. My stomach lurches in my throat, and the sound of footsteps quietly creeping around the house has me panicking. Every inch of my body feels flushed with ice water, and the clamminess of my palms paired with tension rising in my muscles makes me tremble. My heartbeat roars in my ears, and I can't draw a full breath.  Robin notices, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Ready?" He whispers tensely, checking over his shoulder as the footsteps grow closer.

My eyes widen. The door starts to swing open behind Robin, the hinges creaking.

"Go time." 

In one fell swoop, Robin steps forward, unbuttons the top button of his shirt, then grabs my face as he pushes my back flush against the wall. His body crashes into mine and he whispers, "Hold still."

Shit, I really should have asked about the plan!!

My hands seek stability by gripping his forearms as they come between us. Robin tilts his head, and rushes in. I hold my breath. Before our mouths meet, he presses his thumbs against my parted lips and kisses the back of his knuckles.

Caleb's footsteps make a soft creak as he enters the room. I can see his shadow surface from the doorway. But Robin pulls back just enough to twist his head to the other side and grits out in a whisper, "Eyes."

I don't understand. I can't understand. I am too focused on the way he drags his thumb across my lips and then swipes it over his. Robin utters my name, then drops the same hand and grabs my hip with it. My heart feels like it's going to rip through my lungs. It's so loud I'm certain Robin can hear it. But if he can, it doesn't stop him from digging into my hip, grabbing the fabric of my upper skirt, and rubbing it between his fingers.

He rolls his chest against mine, angling himself to cover my face before pressing his mouth back onto his remaining thumb. I gasped for air, having held my breath too long, and I shut my eyes tightly. My hands grip his arms for dear life.

The light flicks on, and Robin rips away from me so suddenly that I stumble toward him. We both stare at Caleb, who comes to stand at the center of the room with his arms folded. By the smug look on his face, I would say we had him completely fooled. Well, at least Robin had. Robin was the only one faking reactions among us.

"Just as I suspected. Another secret girlfriend." He tsks his tongue and wags his finger at us in a slow wiper motion, "Just like Poppy Thornton. Shame on you, Robbie. "

"Caleb." Robin breathes out in shock. 

It's so believable, I check his eyes to make sure he's acting. Unfortunately, my gaze fell immediately to his mouth instead. 

Human brains aren't designed to take screenshots, but that is exactly what happens to me in that moment. I take one. giant. mental. Spiritual. screenshot at the sight of my lipstick smudged over Robin Moore's mouth.

"What--What are you doing up here?" Robin looks at me and drops his hands away completely. "Did anyone follow you?"

Caleb smirks, "You should be more careful, cous. There are a lot of reporters down there. One who seemed particularly interested in you and her."

His eyes find me, and the smirk grows into a giddy smile, "Leah, isn't it? You're writing the book for his movie. What a scandal you two."

"Please, don't say anything." I stepped forward, not in the slightest faking my desperation... or shortness of breath. He had been clearly talking about Maizy, and it was enough for me to plead with every fiber of my being.  My eyes dart to the door, and I worry that she's secretly standing out there, just waiting to corner us when Caleb leaves. 

If we hadn't walked out when we did. If he hadn't followed us at that exact moment...

Maybe luck was on my side tonight. 

"Please," I repeat. Caleb still doesn't look sold, so I take Robin's hand in one of mine and use the other to wrap around his wrist protectively. "You're the only one who knows about us, Caleb." 

Robin glances at me, and I detect a hint of pride in it. I've downright dazzled these two with my acting skills. And it does dazzle. Caleb smothers his smile, convinced he has us both dangling at the end of his strings. Sighing, he drops his arms, and shakes his head, "You're lucky I'm a damn good lawyer, Robbie... and family."

He looks pointedly at Robin, who grimaces but twists it into a look of embarrassment.

Caleb turns to me, and he takes on a pitying expression, "Besides, I could never refuse such a devastated face." He puts a hand over his heart and nods solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

I'm literally just staring at him, but hey, whatever he needs to keep our secrets at night.

Dropping Robin's hand, I push my fists up to my chin excitedly, and gasp, "Really?" 

Caleb shakes his head and smiles. If I didn't know better, I'd say it's almost a little shy in appearance. Regardless, the look of it genuinely softens my heart for him. He's a jerk, and a bit of an idiot... but at least he's secretly nice, right?

Compelled by my inner actress, I swoop across the room and press on my toes to kiss Caleb on the cheek. "Thank you!" Then I spot my lipstick on his cheek and chirp, "Oops. Sorry!"

As I rub it off his eyes widen, and Caleb sputters a little before taking my hand and urging it away. He chuckles under his breath. "Alright, no need to make me a hero. Just go clean up. I'll wait outside and walk you two back down as a cover."

I'm so happy we've pulled it off, that the grin I give him is beyond genuine. He rolls his eyes and waves for Robin to come get me. Glad to take the hint, Robin moves across the room and grabs my hand. But before we can leave, Caleb drops his hand on Robin's shoulder to stop him. Robin glances at him, and I feel his fingers squeeze mine to channel whatever emotions he's having over all of this. 

Caleb battles with himself for a moment before dropping his eyes and saying quietly, "I mean it, Robbie. You can trust me with this. I won't say anything."

When he meets Robin's eyes and nods deeply once, Robin nods his head in acknowledgement. Caleb lifts his hand and allows Robin and I to walk to the bathroom.

Just before we turn to enter the living room, we hear Caleb call after us, "No making out in there either! In and out, got it?"

Robin closes the bathroom door behind us and leans against it in relief. I grab two washcloths and run them under warm water, while Robin buttons his shirt back up and sorts out his hair. Sliding off his jacket I hand it back with a "thank you," and he nods before putting it on. We work together to wash the lipstick off our faces, and in my case my skirt as well, before catching each other's eye in the mirror and quietly laughing.

"Thank you, Caleb, you're my hero." Robin mocks my voice, rinsing his washrag off.

I nudge him with my shoulder, "I think the words you're looking for are: Thank you, Leah. You're debonair acting skills just saved the day."

"Debonair, huh?" Robin chuckles, wringing out the washcloth before setting it aside. "Is that a synonym for 'improvisation'?"

Shaking my head, I pull my lipstick out from where I stored it in the center of my bra and start reapplying. My voice comes out oddly as I talk without moving my lips, "Worked, didn't it?"

He goes quiet, and I seek Robin's reflection in the mirror. When I find him, he's looking down and smiling to himself.

"What?"

Robin shakes his head, biting his lip. "You'll punch me if I tell you."

Straightening, I cap my lipstick and turn to him with narrowed eyes. "Tell me what?"

Backing up, Robin rubs his hand over his neck and avoids looking at me. A cheeky expression glows in his expression, and his eyes get the twinkle. My stomach drops.

"Tell me what, Robin?" I ask again, folding my arms.

Robin tries to contain his smile, "Remember, in there, when I..." 

He pauses, running his tongue over his teeth before laughing. I watch as he lifts hands to his mouth and sends his eyes to the ceiling, searching for the words. He finally comes back to look at me, hazel eyes gleaming. "When I took a bit of your lipstick with my thumb and--"

He trails off, and I feel my face start to flush. Doing my best to combat the memory now very actively playing in my head upon being mentioned, I say, "Yes, I do. Thanks for giving me zero preparation or insight to the plan, by the way."

"I said, 'go time.' That's code for 'prepare yourself.'" He looks at me like it was obvious, and I shoot him a skeptical glare.

Robin brushes it off and says, "Anyway, had I known you had that in there--" He gestures to where I kept the lipstick, and then grins again, "We could have just fixed the lipstick beforehand... and I wouldn't've had to plan how to...transfer it."

My jaw drops, and all the blood I was struggling to pump into my ice-cold veins earlier surges back to my body with vengeance. He what?  HE Wwhatt?!  HE WHAT?!!!

"WHAT?!"  I screech, and he waves his hands to stop me from shouting. Blood roars in my ears and there's absolutely nothing I can do to quail the mix of emotions coursing through me.

The only thing Caleb heard when he came to get us was Robin's body hitting the door after I punch him square in the arm as hard as I can. Then it was Robin's boisterous, unceasing, infuriating, deeply contagious, laughter.

---

Happy Friday my loves! 

I came home from work yesterday and instantly crawled into bed. It was the best *chefs kiss* sleep I've had in a long time. I know this because I had bizarre dreams haha! 

Sooo, what do we think, huh? Bit of a longer chapter, but  Robin and Leah make a pretty good team ;) heheehehe 

What do we think of Caleb? Do you think he'll keep the secret like he says? 

I suppose only time will tell.  

Please vote, comment, and share if you are enjoying! I read every single comment and I just love them so much. You are all so funny, I can't help but crack up at your sense of humor hahah! Thank you <3 

With love, 

e.g.