“I’ll do it.”
She looks taken aback. “You will?”
“Yes.”
I knew I’d crack as soon as she asked. Hell, as soon as Savannah showed up on my porch, I knew I’d do anything she wanted. If she told me to drive my truck off the damn mountain, I’d grab my keys and start driving without a second thought.
“Thank you so much, Clay,” she gushes, clasping her hands together. “I promise I’ll make it as easy as possible for you. Just follow my lead and we’ll be okay.”
Her eyes are sparkling with joy and relief. Savannah must care about her grandma a whole lot. Hell, she’s willing to spend the day pretending to date an old grump like me just to avoid disappointing anybody. This girl isn’t just beautiful—she’s also a sweetheart.
Dangerous combination.
“I’m not really dressed for a party,” I mutter, looking down at my dark jeans and blue flannel shirt. “Better get changed.”
“No, don’t get changed,” Savannah says. “You look good.”
She pinkens slightly, like she’s surprised by her own words.
“You look good too, sugar.”
The air thickens around us, Savannah’s lips parting. “Sugar?”
“Just getting into character.”
“Oh.” She nods, breathing hard. “Right. Good.”
She looks adorably flustered, her eyes turning to caramel in the firelight as she looks up at me.
Today,I tell myself.
It’s just for today.
I want to believe I can handle this. I’ve handled war zones, for God’s sake—surely I can handle faking a relationship at a birthday party for a few hours. But as I stare at Savannah, my body thrumming with adrenaline, I’m not even convinced I’ll survive the first minute.
7
SAVANNAH
I’m sittingon the couch by the fire, waiting while Clay makes us drinks. His cabin is warm and cozy—all honey-colored wood and brown leather—with large windows looking out over the snow-dusted forest. Thick rugs line the wood floors, timber beams crisscrossing overhead like the framework of a ship.
It’s perfect.
There are still a few hours to go before the party, but I came to see Clay early so we’d have plenty of time to talk. Knowing Grandma and her friends, we’re probably going to be bombarded with questions, and I want us to be ready for them.
I check my phone as I wait for Clay. I texted Josie before I left my apartment, telling her everything. She hasn’t replied yet, but as I set my phone back down on the coffee table, it suddenly explodes with notifications, chiming one after the other.
WHAT.
Are you sure about this??
Fake relationships never stay fake!
You read enough romance to know this, Sav!
You’re basically signing up to be Clay’s wife forever, you know that right?
Lumberjacks don’t settle for “boyfriend/girlfriend” for long
