Karlene sighed, exasperation evident in her voice. "I've been getting this question a lot lately."
Ethan smiled slightly. "Maybe that's because it's pretty clear that you like Roy."
Karlene stirred her coffee with the straw, her expression unreadable. "So, what if I like him? We're not even dating, so I don't have to explain myself to him."
Ethan tried to maintain a calm tone as he asked, "You're not denying that you like him now?"
Karlene clicked her tongue, clearly irritated by the conversation. "Liking someone and loving them are two different things."
"So, you don't love him?" Ethan pressed gently.
Karlene smirked. "If I did, would I have agreed to a fake engagement with you?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair, liking her reply. "I'm still surprised you agreed to put up this show with me to convince my parents to drop the idea of the political marriage."
