Faked

SUMMERINE DIDN'T EVEN blink when Ryu cupped her face.

Been there, done that.

She closed her eyes as his head started to lower. Winning this award only made her realize how good Ryu was at fooling everyone, herself included. If not for Billie inadvertently making her realize he was cheating on her, she would still be doing her low-key best to win his heart—-

"I'm sorry I have to do this."

Ryu's whispered words interrupted her thoughts, but before she could figure out what he was apologizing for—-

AH!

His lips had already covered hers, and Summerine realized this was not like their first kiss as husband and wife during their wedding.

Because this was real, not fake.

Real.

His lips and her lips.

Real.

And they were pressed against each other, and—- no!

It was already over before it even began, but that momentary contact was still more than enough to leave Summerine in a daze.

She was only vaguely aware of Charlee-Mae waving goodbye after thanking the other guests, Ryu pressing a hand on the small of her back, and Philippe de Rose walking towards them from the wings as soon as the stage curtains drew closed.

Oh, Ryu.

He had actually kissed her.

But why?

He had faked their wedding kiss, so why did he kiss her for real now?

Charlee-Mae smiled up at her husband as he reached her side. "Aren't they the most adorable couple?"

As Philippe curved an arm around his wife's waist, he also happened to notice the way Summerine had jerked upon having her relationship described as "adorable."

But since it was only Charlee-Mae's happiness that mattered to him—-

"They are, indeed." Philippe dished out the lie without hesitation. The other couple's problem was their business to deal with, and it was neither his interest nor inclination to meddle.