“Our relationship? You mean our friendship?”
“Sure.”
“You’re confusing me.”
I blow out of gust of air because I’m confusing myself. “I just think it would look better if it appears as if I’m in a long-term relationship with someone like you.” There’s silence on the other end of the line. I can practically hear the wheels turning in her pretty little head from here.
“Someone like me?”
“Someone sweet. Traditional.”
“Traditional?”
That’s what she picked up on? “Yeah, the girl next door.” I hear her giggle on the line and smile with relief.
“I amliterallythe girl next door.”
“Exactly. Nobody would think for a second that this was just one of my flings.” Ah-ha! That’s it. That’s what brought Ivy back. She heard I was dating Isabelle Harmon, the town angel, my best friend’s little sister, and daughter to the richest man in the county. That’s the part that made her jump in her expensive sports car and drive all this way home. It’s because Isabelle Harmon is a threat.
20
Isabelle
“I don’t knowabout this, Nash.”
It’s Friday night and the two of us are back at Three Sisters, only this time, we’re appearing as though we’re on a date. The place is packed due to the fact it’s homecoming and our high school football team won their game. It’s a big deal because last year they went zero and ten. That’s zero wins, in case you were wondering.
“Know about what, babe?” Nash is leaning in close, practically whispering in my ear. Just feeling his breath on my neck gives me goose bumps.
I turn and look up at him. I feel both of his arms slide around my waist and clasp behind me. With a little tug, my body is pressed up against his, and it’s sensation overload. I’m struck dumb for a second or two.
“Babe?”
“I… I said, I’m not sure about this.”
Nash doesn’t reply. Instead, he leans down and kisses my mouth. It’s a soft kiss, nothing over the top, but it lingers. I feel it everywhere. All the way down to my toes.
Gah!
How can this guy do this to me? He barely has to touch me and I’m a gelatinous mess.
“Nash—”
My words are interrupted by Max. “Well, well, well. Just as I suspected.”
Nash releases me from his hold but keeps one arm around me. “What can I say?” Nash chuckles. “I couldn’t let the most beautiful girl in town slip through my fingers.”
“You serious?” Max looks skeptical. I don’t blame him. Not only that, I’m not sure what Max means. Is he asking if Nash really thinks I’m the “most beautiful girl in town” or is he asking ifwe’reserious? These are the kind of stupid thoughts rolling around in my brain ever since he kissed me. The thing is, I know this is just for show. Heck, Nash picked this place because he knew everyone would be here. He wants everyone in town to know we’re together now.
“Is Ivy here?” asks Max. “I want to see this bitch in person.”
I was about to sip my beer, but his words make me nearly drop my glass. Apparently the two of them have already talked about Ivy. Maybe Max knows about our sham “relationship” too.
“Haven’t seen her,” Nash says then takes a long pull of his beer.
Max leans in, and in a low voice asks Nash, “You call my contact?”
Nash nods. “Yep. Got an appointment next week.”
