Chapter Fifteen

As Drake approached the journalist's table with Lydia by his side, a rush of excitement coursed through him. The familiar feeling of being on stage and improvising in theatre flooded his senses, making his heart race with anticipation. Memories of his younger days spent honing his craft came rushing back, fueling his adrenaline and filling him with giddiness. He might not be on stage performing for an audience, but he would be performing for a major magazine.

"Do you know the gist of improv?" He asked Lydia in a low whisper as they approached the table.

"Can you give me a refresher?" she asked, fidgeting with her hands, worry lines creasing her forehead.

He leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. "We can play our very own improv game," he whispered. "We'll make up a story together, each taking turns adding to it. I'll answer one question from the reporter, then you'll answer the next." She could feel the excitement building as he brushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. "It'll be like our own little adventure," he said with a mischievous grin.

"I think your definition of fun and mine might be slightly different." Lydia grinned, chuckling nervously.

"Come on, Darling. You've got this! What happened to the fierce tigress from earlier?" He teased, trailing his finger down the curve of her jaw.

Lydia extended her arm and snatched a glass of champagne from a passing cocktail waitress. She downed the drink in one swift movement and returned the empty glass to the tray before the waitress could continue on her way. The smooth sparkling liquid helped calm her nerves some. "Okay, Drake. Let's play a game."

Drake's eyes were fixated on Lydia, his grin unrelenting.

He couldn't help but stare at Lydia, his smile still in place.

Despite the professional arrangement between them, Drake couldn't help but feel drawn to Lydia. Her intelligence and charm were undeniable, and in a different world, they might have had a chance at something more. But he knew better than to get too close. This was strictly business. Yet, as he took her hand and led her to the writer's table, he couldn't help but wonder what could have been if circumstances were different. As they neared the journalist, he tightened his grip on her hand and tried to push away any lingering thoughts of a real relationship.

Drake coughed lightly, breaking the writer's focus on her laptop. The journalist, a young brunette woman with thick glasses and a messy bun, looked up and raised an eyebrow at Drake and Lydia's approach. Her look of annoyance quickly morphed to one of joy when she recognized who had interrupted her. Her face lighting up with excitement, she hurriedly closed her laptop and sprung up from her seat hand outstretched, "Julianne. Julianne Von Stitzel." She stated in greeting, quickly shaking Drake's then Lydia's hand.

"Drake Alston," Drake replied, "And this is my girlfriend, Lydia. Lydia Greystone."

"Thank you so much for agreeing to interview with me. Madilyn and I were roomies back in college, and she knows that I've been waiting for my big break for what feels like forever. When Diane told Madilyn that her wedding would be covered in the magazine, Madilyn called me up right away and said she had just the story for me. Told me it would make my career. So, I really hope this doesn't inconvenience you. It's just no one else is going to be able to get the inside scope on our evasive bachelor." Julianne spieled, talking rapidly and waving her hands in the air as she spoke.

When she finished spilling her guts, Julianne swiped the palm of her hand across her forehead, wiping off the sweat that had started to drip. "Is it hot in her or is it just me?" She asked pulling the collar of her top away from her neck and using it to fan herself.

"Don't worry, Julianne. I'm not going to eat you alive. I am more than willing to help out a friend of Madilyn's." Drake stated, offering a calming smile, as he tried to ease the nervous reporter. "It it would make your more comfortable we can walk out onto the deck where there's a cool breeze."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Julianne asked, her head perking up hopefully. She still looked a bit peckish from being so wound up.

"Of course not." Drake replied walking toward the outside deck, "Its beautiful this time of year, and I was feeling a bit cooped up inside anyways."

Lydia trailed behind Drake, her mind racing as she tried to anticipate the journalist's questions. She had always been well-prepared for exams, but this interview was a whole different level of pressure. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being severely underprepared and it made her anxious with each step closer to the "interview room".

The deck was nearly empty and they easily found a table that would fit the three of them, plus all of Julianne's other interviewing equipment. "Do you mind if I record you? Julianne asked. "I plan on taking notes but I don't want to miss any important information."She explained as she set up her laptop.

"Whatever makes your job easier." Drake replied as he reclined in his plush lounge chair, his muscular arms encircling Lydia's waist as he pulled her onto his lap. She giggled and settled into him, her head resting on his broad chest.

"Aww, new love." Julianne cooed, glancing up from her. "Okay," She wriggled in her seat, adjusted her glasses and positioned her fingers on the keyboard. "Let's start with the basics," she said, looking up at the couple in front of her. "How did you meet?"

"Well," Drake stated, leaning forward, pressing his face against the top of Lydia's head, "It's a little unconventional, but I guess pretty modern in this day and age. My friend, Jake, he told me about this...err...dating app, when we were at the gym one day. And I decided, eh what the hell, I might as well give it a shot. So I downloaded the app, uploaded a profile picture and within seconds, this beautiful woman's picture," He paused looking down at Lydia, "pops up on my screen. SO Of course I swiped right and to my surprise, we were matched the very next day."

"Interesting." Julianne replied, "I might just have to try that app out. There's slim pickings at the bar these days." She laughed jokingly, before clearing her throat once more, "So tell me about your first date. "

Lydia knowing she was pretty much shit at making up stories on the spot, decided to stick as close to the truth as possible. "Well, after we matched. We started chatting and hit it off instantly. Drake wanted to meet up with me, and gave me an address to a public place. When I asked him how I should dress, he just told me to wear something comfortable. Turns out the address was to his private seamstress. He had her make me up an outfit and then told me he was taking me to dinner. I'd thought he was taking me somewhere grand when the seamstress came out with this beautiful dress, and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. But we actually just ended up having dinner at his house. It was absolutely perfect. Dinner ended up being super romantic with a charcuterie board and a bottle of delicious Malbec."

"Ooo," Julianne waggled her eyebrows, "Someone had seduction on his mind."

"Well, a lady doesn't kiss and tell." Lydia replied coyly with a wink, her cheeks only slightly pink.

Juliane laughed in response, before clapping her hands together, "Well, as you both know, what's trending is what's popular, so for this article we wanted to try out something new. So here's a quiz for the both of you to take, separately. Once they're all filled out we will review them together." She explained, grabbing the quizzes and placing them on the table.

Lydia's heart sank as she eyed the papers on the table. She hadn't been expecting this. There was no way, they'd be able to keep this charade up if they couldn't see what the other way saying.

"Oh, and Lydia," Julianne sang out, "Since your answers are secretive, I'm going to need you to find a seat that isn't Drake, for this part of the interview."

"Uh, yeah of course." Lydia replied standing from Drake's lap, hoping her legs weren't shaking too bad. She walked around the table and took the empty seat beside Julianne.

"Okay, Ready. Set. Go! Fill out those questionnaires!" Julianne shouted as if she was a game show host or an announcer at a race.

When Lydia flipped her paper she let out a sigh of relief. These questions would be easy to answer. They were just the stupid lovey dovey 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 questions that were trending on all the social media outlets. She could do this easily. They'd be able to fill this out on their own and their faux relationship wouldn't be in jeopardy. Hastily, she completed her responses and passed the sheet back to Julianne. As she did so, Drake was also handing in his sheet.

"Wow, that was speedy." Julianne stated, and Lydia could tell by her tone that she was excited to review the questionnaire, "Alrighty then, let's take a look at this answers. I'll read the questions off in order, and then we will discuss Lydia's answers first and then Drake's. With each question we will switch whose answers come first. So first Lydia, then second Drake, and so on and so forth." She looked up checking to make sure that they both understood her, when they nodded their heads in agreement she continued on. "Alright, so question numero uno. Name five things you love about your significant other. Lydia's answers were, While we haven't quiet reached the big L word yet in our relationship, I can honestly say that I really like Drake's: Determination, focus, drive, selflessness, and how caring he is." Julian paused letting Lydia's words sink in so she could watch Drake's expression.

Drake's face flushed red as he grimaced, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Well this is going to be embarrassing." He murmured, "I...err... I don't think I understood the question quite the same way that Lydia did."

Julian shuffled the papers, so Drake's sat onto and let out a laugh, her cheeks also tinging pink. Lydia looked at Drake questioningly, a "what the hell did you write," look appearing on her face.

"Okay," Julianne stated, swallowing down her laughter, "So Drake's answers were: Boobs, Ass, Eyes, Waist, and Lips. No preference to the order."

Lydia's chest flushed red and her face was a bright as a very ripe cherry tomato, "Of course he would write that." She giggled trying to cover up her embarrassment. Perhaps she'd taken the quiz too literally.

"Like I said," Drake replied reaching across the table and grabbing her hand in his, "I think I misunderstood the assignment."

"You think?" Lydia asked, playfully slapping his hand away.

"Well I mean it isn't a lie. Your breasts are out of this world." He replied with a shrug, "Come on, Darling. You can't be mad a me," Drake pouted, reaching for her hand again.

"Oh fine," Lydia huffed, rolling her eyes as she gave in and let Drake intertwine their fingers, "You're forgiven."

"Uh-hem," Julianne obnoxiously cleared her throat, "Still her lover birds. Onto question number two. What are four things your significant other likes? Drake answered: Lydia likes to read fantasy romance novels, she likes to go on adventures. She likes her showers hotter than hells fire. After her hot ass shower, she'll relax in a warm bubble bath with a few drops of lavender oil. Oh and she likes True Crime documentaries. Pretty sure she's planning on how to dispose of my body. So Lydia, did Drake get those answers correct?"

Lydia's blush from earlier was gone and only her smile remained. When she answered Julianne, she only had eyes for the man sitting across the table from her, "Actually yeah. He got all four right. He's very attentive."

"That he is." Julianne agreed, shuffling back to Lydia's paper, "And Lydia replied with: Drake likes fitness, theatre, scouting out new properties, and me."

"Cocky much?" Drake asked with a tilt of his head.

"Hey, I just call it as I see it, Babe. And if you're trying to question the validity of my answer, we can just circle back to question one." She replied with a playful wink.

"Wow!" Julian stated, popping her lips dramatically, "The chemistry between you two, it's just explosive."

"Explosive good, or explosive bad?" Lydia asked, turning her attention back to the report beside her.

"Oh very good. Like finale part of the fireworks show good."

Drake leaned in, planting a kiss on Lydia's hand as he raised it to his mouth. "I could have saved you the trouble of this questionnaire and just told you that," he said with a smirk.

"Okay, let's get back on track or we will be here all day." Julianne stated, looking back down at the papers in her hand, "Question three, What are three things you think your significant other looks good in? Lydia's response: Suit, Grey sweats with no shirt, and a button up shirt with faded blue jeans." Papers shuffled, and Julianne continued on, "Drake's answers are of course, not nearly as G rate," She chuckled before reading Drake's response to question three, "Her birthday suit, a white silk robe, and red lingerie."

"Hey!" Drake protested, "I don't think these questions Arte very fair to the male partner in this relationship."

"Oh shush," Lydia replied playfully, swatting his hand, "You are just jealous that I'm winning."

Drake's eyebrow raised, "I didn't know this was a competition."

"Well all is fair in love and war." Lydia replied laughing lightheartedly, while shrugging her shoulders.

Drake fought to maintain his composure, but his lips betrayed him as they twitched upwards into a sly grin. It was refreshing to be at a family event and actually be enjoying himself. He couldn't recall the last time he'd actually enjoyed himself when attending a family affair.

Pulling Drake from his thoughts Julian continued the questionnaire, "Question four: What are two things your significant other's say a lot? Drake's answers were: Drake, seriously and Really? "

Lydia scoffed, "I do not say, Seriously, Drake, that often."

Julianne continued on, ignoring the interruption, "And Lydia's answers were: I'm hungry and I have a meeting. Is Drake really that busy?" Julianne questioned, "How do you find time to spend with each other?"

"Drake is very attentive to his work and to me. Even if we just get an hour together, that hour is solely focused on me and may needs. He puts everything else on hold. So even though our time is limited, it's quality time." Lydia replied back with a warm smile, "And it works well, because while he's working, I'm finishing up my degree."

"Also," Drake piped in, "I've taken an entire month off to enjoy Kev's and Maddie's wedding, so we will be seeing a lot more of each other."

Lydia crinkled her nose, and cringed up her face, "Oh no." She stated dramatically, "What will I do? I might just get sick of you."

"You'll just have to find yourself a new sugar daddy." Drake joked back.

"Okay, Okay, Kids. Lets focus. Last Question," Julianne stated clapping her hands, bringing their attention back to her, "What is one thing you would change about me? Lydia responded with: The amount of quality time you spend with your family. You are so busy all the time, that you've missed out on the simple things."

Drake stared across the table at Lydia. He was irritated with her answer to the question, but he was trying not to let his irritation show. Lydia was unaware of the reason why he only visited his family when absolutely necessary. And he wasn't sure if she would even believe him if he told her the reason why.

Seeing that she wasn't going to get interrupted this time Julianne continued on, "And Drake's response was: I'

d change the way. she views herself."

Now it was Lydia's turn to turn her head up so she could stare at Drake. She was confused by his response. Lydia felt like she was always being true to herself, but now she was wondering what Drake saw that made him think otherwise.

"Drake! Lydia!" Madilyn called, her head popping out through the balcony doors, interrupting their staring contest, "Time for the family photo."

"Ah what perfect timing," Julian smiled, "Thank you so much for letting me write about you, Mr. Alston." She stated, shaking Drake's hands before gathering the rest of her belongs and heading inside.

Drake and Lydia remained at the table, staring at each other in silence. It was Lydia who finally broke the silence, "What did you mean by..."Lydia started to ask, but was interrupted by Madilyn calling for them once again.

"We should probably go." Drake stated standing up, "Before Maddie sends the calvary after us."

"Yes, we wouldn't want that." Lydia replied, with a sigh. Her mind still racing as she tried to decipher what Drake had meant about her views of herself.