“I promised Cheryl I would help her with some arrangements for the festival opening. She was sort of losing her mind earlier when one of her people called out sick. I should actually get to bed if I’m going to be of any use to her tomorrow.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping my lie sounds believable.
Noah straightens and swallows hard, his movements stiff and rigid. It’s harsh after the familiarity we’ve been sharing, but I don’t let myself dwell on it. Instead, I stand from the couch and cross the living room.
“Goodnight, Charlotte.”
I turn in the hallway and smile. “Goodnight, Noah.”
I’m alone again when I wake the next morning, and I take my mug of coffee out into the garden to walk the path and soak in the sunshine before it gets too hot. I’m bent over a row of peonies when Noah comes huffing up, sweat soaked and flushed from his run.
“Morning,” he says, bowing his head as he cuts through the gate. I swallow hard, and take a sip to keep from giggling like a schoolgirl at the sight of him.
“Morning.”
He’s nearly to the door when Cheryl comes clamoring out of the main house. “Noah! Charlotte!”
Seeing the woman, frantic and waving her arms reminds me of the blatant lie I told last night. All I need is for her to mentionanything other than preparing for the festival and my story will unravel. Noah steps back into the sun and takes three long strides to stand behind me as she approaches. God, even sweaty, he smells good.
“I’m so glad I caught the two of you. I am sorry to say, we won’t be much of a host couple today.” She rolls her eyes. “Tom is still out of sorts after yesterday on the course and has a nasty sunburn to boot. I’m afraid my time will be spent soaking him in aloe and making sure he hydrates before our dinner tomorrow. I swear some days, I could just . . .” She lets out a grumble and then takes a breath, as if realizing who she’s talking to.
“I’m happy to lend a hand however you need me,” I say, hoping the sentiment toes the line between Noah’s thinking I’ll be helping her and Cheryl’s ignorance to my excuse for not accompanying him.
“Oh, don’t be silly, dear. You needn’t worry yourself with our troubles. I’m happy to set up a tour of the farm if you’d like, or if you’d rather spend the day out of the heat you’re welcome to use our library.”
I smile, and Noah gives me an amused glance, confirming my lie has been discovered, before looking to Cheryl.
“I actually meant to tell you. My mom has been pestering me for a visit, so this is a nice happenstance.”
Fuck you, Noah.I grit my teeth into a smile before turning back to Cheryl. “So you see, I’m completely free. Please, put me to work.”
She frowns. “Heaven’s no. I wouldn’t keep you from visiting Noah’s family. Surely she’ll want to see you too.”
“Oh I don’t think?—”
Noah slings an arm over my shoulders and I’m lost to the smell of juniper and sweat. “She did invite us both,babe.”
I’m going to throw up.
My teeth ache from clenching and pasting a smile to my face, but it’s all I can do. Not only have I been caught in my lie, but I’ve been roped into meeting my fake boyfriend’s mom. At the very best, this will be an awkward day.
Cheryl claps her hands. “How serendipitous! You can borrow Tom’s car for the drive. I’ll have Lance pull it around to the front so it’s ready for you. Have fun you two!”
I raise my mug to her with the last of my smile as she turns back towards the main house. Before she’s fully inside, I slip out from under Noah’s arm.
“What the hell was that?”
His look of surprise makes me want to shove him backwards into the bed of flowers. “I beg your pardon?”
“I told you I didn’t want to go with you,” I say, stomping towards the cottage.
“Actually,” Noah clarifies, his tone grating on my last nerve. “You told me you had to help Cheryl. Which she doesn’t seem to remember.”
“She had a lot of champagne at the nail salon,” I grumble, pouring another cup of coffee.
Noah holds his hands up and my eyes inadvertently drop to his chest, and then lower to the v disappearing into the elastic waistband.
“Hey,” he says, pulling my attention back to his face. “If you really don’t want to go with me, I can leave you here.”
