A nerve throbbed in Patrick’s jaw. The space between us seemed to shrink, the air taut with energy.
One second, Patrick looked like he was about to leap over the table, and the next he was leaning back, crossing his arms over his chest. ‘I’m not hungry. Besides, this date is almost over. Tick it off the contractually required list.’
So, we were going to lie about what had just happened? We were going to pretend there wasn’t something here? It might have been ages since my last relationship, but I knew what it looked like when a man wanted me. And from the looks of it, Patrick wanted me … badly.
‘Fine,’ I said lightly, taking the long spoon and pulling the sundae towards me. ‘Have it your way.’
It took all my self-control to make sure that I did not look at him while I ate the sundae.
Do not think about it.
I swallowed another mouthful of ice cream and toffee before glancing up in time to catch Patrick looking at my lips.
When our eyes met again, he said without flinching, ‘Well, I think this date has gone on long enough to keep Derek happy. Shall I ask for the bill?’
SEVEN
And the next time I decide to listen to you, remind me, this is why we stepped away, stepped back, stepped off the cliff …
–from ‘Clifftop Ode’, by These Exiles
Jessy
We need to talk
I STARED ONCE AGAIN at the message as I paced back and forth between two lamp posts along the river, tugging my hat lower across my face as I waited for my fake girlfriend to turn up.
Need to talk?
Shit, this was the sort of stuff that people inactualrelationships had to put up with. I wasn’t – I didn’t care about this woman. I was being forced to be in a relationship with her – what was the point of dealing with all the crap that came with it?
All that crap, a horrible little voice in the back of my mind reminded me,that you desperately wanted with Celine?
I forced the thought away.
Unlocking my phone, I glanced down at the lyric I’d tapped out without much thought.
I’d rather argue with you than receive anyone’s smiles
It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t good – it needed a little extra. Hell, I was just grateful to have something come to me, after weeks of nothing.
What came next?
I had no idea. I locked my phone. It would keep.
I had almost forgotten how gorgeous it was along here. The river wasn’t the most beautiful stretch of water in the world, but with the sun shining, and the gentle chatter as people had lunch together, the laughter and screams from a trio of women catching up on the corner, and the two guys arguing vociferously about where one of them should propose to his boyfriend …
Seriously. Did the whole world run on romance?
Stupid thing to think. Didn’t I make money singing about just that sort of stuff?
Wes
So how’s the fake girlfriend?
I groaned. Of course he had to ask that in our group chat.
Matt
