“But you don’t have to accept his proposal,” he says, brushing it off.“You could pretend to be his girlfriend without actually getting engaged.”
“Laird, we’re dealing with Amy and her husband.They’re the masterminds.Just approaching Alan isn’t enough to dig as deep as we need.Remember what you said yesterday about the philosophy of war?”I nudge his arm, trying to push my point.“Come on, say it with me.”
“Know the enemy to win the battlefield,” I say.
“Know your field, win the battle,” Laird finishes.One eyebrow lifts.
“Am I wrong?”I mumble, coughing to hide my embarrassment.
“Well, it’s close enough,” he chuckles.
God, that’s embarrassing.I groan, fold my arms, and clear my throat.“The point is, I need to immerse myself in their family circle to learn more.Amy and her husband will be cautious with any new person Alan brings in.But if Alan convinces them I’m part of the family, they’ll trust me more, right?”I ramble, trying to make it make sense.
“I get it.But when I said inside information, I meant we, us, together.”He flicks his finger between me and him.“Surely I’m not a monster who’s going to let you face him alone.Especially not Amy or her husband.”
“But that doesn’t make sense.If you’re supposedly my ex, then why would I let you hang around me with my new boyfriend?If you were in his position, wouldn’t you be suspicious?”I raise my voice again.
Laird doesn’t answer.His head turns away as he stares at his glass with a deep frown.“You’re right…” he mumbles.“If I were him, and had this sick, possessive obsession toward you, I’d probably hate to seemenear you.He’d always be on edge, watching us.One lingering look, and he’d know our breakup was just a lie.”He side-eyes me.
“See?”I widen my eyes.Wait, he’s not talking about himself, right?
He stays quiet, thinking.“It’s just… Amy might not buy it, considering your history with her.”
“Well, I’m not trying to brag, but Alan will probably keep pushing for me.Remember how hard he worked to get me into Mallory’s social circle?”My hand presses against the other palm, my gaze locked on his.
His frown deepens.He exhales, long and heavy, already defeated.“Fine.But remember, no touching, no kissing, no physical intimacy.At all.”
“Deal.So what do I do?”
“You need to act like you love him.Otherwise, he’ll get suspicious.”His face twists like he just bit a rotten lemon.
I cup his cheeks and look into those green eyes I love so much.“It’s just an act, Laird.You’re the one I love.”
“Yeah, act like that,” he mutters, eyes flicking between mine and my lips.
He looks uneasy with his lips tight and his shoulders stiff.I know what he’s thinking.Alan’s the one person we should stay far away from, but I’m about to say yes to his proposal.
“You have to trust me.”He doesn’t move.“Will you?”I whisper.
Laird just looks at me, silent, the firelight painting his face gold.Christmas carols drift softly from the Evans’ house next door, mixing with the stillness around us.
“Yes, I do,” he says finally.“I always have, and I always will.”
“Aren’t you mad about the ad?”I ask, searching his eyes.
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not mad at you?We agreed to let it go and move on.Besides, the ad’s already taken down.”He scowls.
“What about all the people dragging me online?Don’t you see my socials?”
He shakes his head.“I don’t give a damn.I’ve told you a hundred times, even if you weren’t a famous model, I’d still care about you.”
He’s said that to me more than once, and he means it.Even when my insecurities creep in, even when fear wraps around my heart, he’s always there, proving it.Over and over.
“So… how does it feel to kiss Alan?”I ask, suppressing my laugh.
“God, please, don’t you dare mention that ever again,” he groans while I cackle.“Babe!You ruined the moment!”
Air bursts out of me as I laugh so hard my face warms up.“Come on, it’s kinda sexy, honestly,” I say between laughter.
