“Well, the kids,” I say.
He shakes his head. “No, the kids do not need to know.”
I glance at Hayes, not wanting to lie to the kids. But they’re all so young. I don’t think they could really understand anyway. Plus, I don’t want them overly worried that they won’t be able to remain with me and letting them in on this plan would certainly up their anxiety.
“Does your lawyer know?” Jagger interrupts my thoughts.
“I think she suspects,” Hayes answers.
“She does, I’m pretty sure.” I nod.
“Well, you can let her suspect, but don’t ever give it any weight or admit it. From here on out, you guys are a couple. Every time you are seen outside of closed doors—you are in love. Hayes, your hand is either in hers or on her every single time you walk out of a building. You’re gonna nuzzle your head into the crook of her neck, and you’re gonna give her little kisses on the cheek and on the lips. You’re gonna run your hand along her back, around her thigh.”
Panic sparks in my veins. To have Hayes touching me as if I’m his? How will I ever be able to keep my feelings straight?
“I think you’ve been reading too many of Quinn’s romance novels,” Easton says.
“I agree,” Decker says. “I mean, next you’re gonna have him fucking her in the alley.”
“Also, why doesn’t Hayes get touched?” Easton asks.
Jagger rubs his chin, looking as though he’s considering their protests to be real suggestions. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it. Get a picture taken of the two of you, hot and heavy in Ruby’s alley? Have at it. I’ll call somebody and get a picture out to the world?—”
“That’s not exactly like a relationship. That’s a hookup,” Decker says.
“It is what people in a relationship do,” Jagger counters. “At least a good one. And Leighton can give our boy a little thigh rub and fingers in the hair on the back of his head now and again.”
“I’m not a dog,” Hayes says with a frown.
Everyone laughs.
Jagger points at the two of us. “Lucky for you guys, I have a charity gala for the Children’s Hospital you can attend together as a couple. I’ll volunteer Decker to babysit for you.”
“Gala?” I’m sure they must hear the strain in my voice.
They all smile as though it should be the easiest thing in the world for me.
I should have told the judge the truth because I’m way out of my league here.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Leighton
* * *
Our meeting with Jagger wraps up, and I couldn’t be happier—he’s an intimidating man. He obviously knows about Hayes, but he’s a straight-talker. I didn’t even think about the repercussions of what would happen if our fake relationship was discovered, how bad it could be for Hayes. People would question his character once again.
So as soon as we step out of Peeper’s, Hayes does his part, slipping his hand into mine.
He nods at the black security gate on the right side of the building. “Do you want to come up?”
“To your place?” That’s an idiotic question. He’s not going to take me up to Easton or Decker’s.
He chuckles, gripping my hand a little tighter, and I pretend it doesn’t send a fission of electricity rushing up my arm. “Yes, to my place.”
“Sure.” Damn my curiosity for wanting to see where he lives, since he knows exactly where I spend my nights.
