I wasn’t buying it. Yes, Adeline was Max’s sort of ex—they’d been casual lovers—but Adeline was a movie star. I saw her picture all the time—magazines, on Netflix, and at the checkout stand. Patricio had to know that.
“So,” I crossed my arms over my chest, “you want me to believe that you had a fling with Adeline many years ago, but kept it a secret from the world. And then you also decided to keep it a secret that you’re doing a movie with her—a movie that I would see eventually when it comes out.” I hoped he saw the flaw in his bullshit “secret” excuse.
He stuck out his hands. “Okay, okay. I didn’t tell you because I did not want you to see the truth in my eyes and feel jealous.”
“What truth?” At this point, I really couldn’t wait to hear what garble would be coming out of his mouth next. This is getting comical.
“We have done a lot of kissing in the movie, and yes, I am a man and enjoyed it—just a little. But this is very different from what I have with you, Lily.” He took my hand and cupped it between his. “I have something with you that I have had with no other woman.”
“A death wish?” Because right now, I could see it in his eyes—the man was acting.
Patricio made a little laugh and then raised my hand to his lips, planting a kiss. “Silly Lily. We have true love.”
He lowered his head, and I snapped my hand away before he could plant another phony kiss.
“Patricio, I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m not buying your bullcrap. And, frankly, I’m not sure how you obtained the best actor in Italy status because you’re the worst liar ever.” I simply wasn’t sure what he was lying about—loving me or cheating on me? Either way, it wasn’t good.
Patricio’s bright green eyes narrowed on my face. “And you, Lily, are the weakest woman I have ever met.”
“What?” I snapped.
“You let Max poison your opinion of me, didn’t you? You listened to his lies and allowed him to turn you against me.” Okay, now Patricio wasn’t acting. The anger was just as real as the tinge of frustration red on his handsome face. “What did that asshole tell you, eh, Lily? Eh? Did he say I took advantage of his sister? Or that I don’t love you? Because before you go believing what other people say, you might want to attempt to give a man the chance to give his side of di story.”
Jesus. I felt my shoulders sag with exhaustion. He was right. On the other hand… “Like you gave me the chance to explain why Max was kissing me the other night?”
“That was different. I caught you in the act.”
“Okay. Fair enough, Patricio. But tell me this: why didn’t you call me when those pictures of you and Adeline came out? Why say nothing?” It made him seem that much guiltier.
“I planned to call you later, but I wanted to make you jealous a little first. It seemed only fair after I found that asshole’s lips on your mouth.”
“That was pretty low.”
Patricio took a deep breath. “Yes. It was, but now I know that your head must be all crazy with the hormones and tings.”
By “tings” I assumed he meant “things,” specifically baby related.
“Yeah,” I said, “about that. I need to tell you, Patricio, that I am—”
“No. I am sorry. I am sorry for playing these games with you when you were—are—feeling very emotional. And I should only be angry with Max, who has wanted revenge on me since I was with his sister.”
“So you don’t deny you slept with her?” By my calculations, if she’d been sixteen, Patricio had been about eighteen or nineteen.
“Of course not. She was very in love with me, and I liked her very much, but you know how teenagers are. She started talking about marriage and being together forever—nothing frightens away a young man like hearing that sort of thing—it is only natural at that time in one’s life when you want to be free.”
Well, the way he’d put it, I supposed I might, might see his side. Nevertheless, Max still had every reason to be upset. It was the way of the big brother.
He continued, “Max got very upset when I broke things off with his sister and he attacked me in the middle of a cocktail party my parents were throwing. He has issues with anger, that man. Which is another reason I would never trust him with you, Lily. So even if you do not choose me, I suggest you stay away from him. He cannot be trusted.”
Okay, that sounded like a red herring. And wasn’t Patricio the one who’d attacked Max the other night? That being said…
“Thank you for the advice, Patricio, but I am not getting back together with him.”
“Of course not. You are in love with me and are going to have my baby.”
“No. I’m not. I’m not having your baby. That was just some—”
“What!” He slammed his fist down on the counter, making the coffee cup jump. “You are going to kill our baby?” he yelled.
Whoa. “First off,” I held up a finger, “don’t yell at me. And second—”
“You cannot do this, Lily! You cannot take this baby and—”