Her lips part. “Our truth?”
“For tonight,” I clarify, brushing past her to pour a glass of water at the bar, “our truth is that we’re in love.”
The glass stills halfway to my lips.
The words hang between us.
“In love,” she echoes, barely audible.
I glance at her over the rim, pulse kicking unexpectedly. “Is that a problem?”
She swallows. “No. Just… surprising.”
“Good.” I set the glass down. “This only works if we sound convincing.”
Her cheek flushes a delicate pink.
God, she’s dangerous. I step toward her slowly, closing distance that’s become far too easy to cross.
She doesn’t back away.
“Honey,” I murmur, tilting her chin up gently with a knuckle, “I need you steady. I need you confident. And I need you willing to let them believe every word I say.” I know she’s attracted to me, care even, but love…
Her breath catches. “I can do that.” Her voice trembles on the last syllable, and I shouldn’t enjoy it as much as I do.
“Good,” I say softly. I should drop my hand.
I don’t.
Her pulse flutters against my fingers. Her gaze flicks to my mouth before she snaps it back to mine. The room tightens, heat simmering in the air like a storm waiting to break.
After a moment she steps back suddenly, flushed. “I… I need to fix my hair.”
I smile. “You look fine.”
“I don’t feel fine.”
“You will,” I say.
But I’m lying. Because nothing about tonight is fine.
Not the announcement.
Or the charade.
Not the fact that she wouldn’t be surrounded by supportive friends and family when the engagement is announced. And not that our alliance stems from desperation instead of love.
The car issilent except for the hum of the engine. Shadows from street lights dust the streets. Kamiyah sits beside me, hands gripping the skirt of her dress as if the fabric might stabilize her thoughts.
“You didn’t ask where we’re going,” I say.
She licks her lips. “I assumed someplace where we’ll be seen.”
“Charity event,” I correct. “The Bridge to Tomorrow gala. Press everywhere.”
Her head snaps toward me. “You’re throwing me into the lion’s den.”
Priscilla hasn’t been exactly quiet these past weeks. In fact, she’s been very public, hoping the show will garner her support. “They already smell blood,” I say. “I’m giving them a distraction.”
