Yeah, there’s attraction. I’ve felt it. We’ve lived it.
But is attraction enough to wipe out everything else? My past, my family, the walking disaster that is me?
I sigh and rub the back of my neck.
I think about the future.
About the reality show that’s about to start.
We’re going to pretend to be together for days. We’ll have to kiss, touch, live together.
And then?
What happens when the cameras turn off? When the contract’s up?
Do we just… go our separate ways?
She’ll go back to her perfect clients and I’ll go back to… what? The emptiness I had before?
No.
Absolutely not.
The thought actually hurts. There is no way I’m just letting her walk away after all this. Not after I’ve seen the real Sloane.
Right there, staring at those red frames, I make a decision.
I’m going to do everything I can to win her.
Not for show. Not for the audience.
I’m going to use this damn reality show as my own personal battlefield.
I’m going to prove to her that I’m not just trouble.
I’m going to prove I can be the kind of man she deserves.
“I just wanted…” I start, my voice rougher than usual. “I wanted to thank you. Again. For the other night.”
Sloane takes off her glasses and pinches the bridge of her nose. Without them, she looks younger. Softer.
“You don’t have to thank me, Cohen. I did what needed to be done.”
“No. You did a hell of a lot more than that…”
I lean forward, bracing my elbows on my knees.
She watches me, a little frown forming between her brows.
“How… how are you?” she asks quietly, her voice dropping.
“Grace is better.”
Sloane smiles, and it’s a real, warm smile. “I’m glad. Really. And… you?”
Silence settles between us. It’s rare that anyone actually asks me that.
My sister doesn’t. She knows how I am most of the time—so, pretty much like crap.
