My brows shot up to my hairline.
“Sure, but I figured it was a no since you never brought it up again.”
“It was, but while I was dwelling in my pity spiral these past two weeks, I realized a few things.”
“Like what?” I asked, leaning closer.
“First, that having to explain over and over again that I’m just fine alone would make for a really shitty night.” She chuckled. “I am fine with that. Or getting there. But, second, like you said, what’s wrong with having a little fun? Even for the shock value alone.” A smirk twisted the side of her mouth. “So, are you in?” She nudged her knee against mine.
“Jeez, I mean, stop laying it on so thick.” I pressed a dramatic hand to my chest. “You’re embarrassing me.”
She cracked up and shoved my shoulder.
“All kidding aside, if you don’t want to do it?—”
“Nope, my offer is still very valid.” I lifted her hand and brought it to my mouth, holding her gaze as my lips lingered on the soft skin of her wrist.
I didn’t have to worry about getting caught mooning over her for a night since that was what I had to do to play the part. Sabrina would think I was just in character.
It would be both the easiest and hardest thing to do, but I never could refuse her anything.
“There would be no greater honor than to be your fake boyfriend for a night. Your sister is going to lose her shit, isn’t she?”
“Fuck yeah,” she said, a real laugh escaping both of us.
She inched closer and draped her hand over the back of my neck. Did the pretending start now? Did she want to make out for practice purposes? I’d happily act as if I were just taking onefor the team instead of aching for those lips on mine to see if they were as soft as I remembered.
Before I could decide whether to go for it or not, she pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“Thank you. You’re too good to me.”
“What are friends for?” I whispered, trying to take in the air that whooshed out of my lungs from the feel of her lips on my skin.
Being her fake boyfriend for a night would be all too easy. Going back to reality when it ended was going to be the real challenge.
FIVE
CADEN
I groaned at my reflection in the mirror as I retied my tie for what felt like the tenth time. I didn’t wear ties very often anymore. The most dressed-up I got for work was a button-down shirt and dress pants, and since I worked from home part time, dressing up for anything had become rare.
But even though it would all be fake, I wanted everything to be perfect tonight. We wouldn’t be together in the way everyone would think, but I still wanted her to be proud to be on my arm.
And, as sad as it was, I wanted one night where she’d be mine, even if it was all a game. It was the safest—and only—way I could have her. So, I’d play the part and get all the enjoyment I could out of it before the letdown after would make me feel like shit.
I was grabbing my keys to head to Sabrina’s when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Just as I was about to send it to voice mail, I spotted Sabrina’s name on the screen.
“Hey, what’s up? I was getting ready to leave to come get you.”
“About that,” she said, her loud exhale echoing in my ear. “We have a little complication.”
“Okay,” I said, leaning against the wall as I braced myself for whatever was making Sabrina’s voice so shrill with panic.
“My sister just told me they blocked off rooms at the hotel where the reception is because they’re throwing the bride and groom a last-minute wedding brunch with the immediate family, and Toni wouldloveit if we could stay.”
“Okay, so? I don’t mind going tomorrow.”
“They’re expecting us to stay over since I live an hour away. In the same room.”
