Molly
It didn’t take much time to pack my things and load them into Nicholas’s truck. Because Owen didn’t want my books taking up a lot of space, I had left almost all of them in boxes in the garage.
It was like some weird serendipity. When he asked me to leave most of my babies in the garage, I was annoyed but also realized that his place didn’t have enough bookshelves anyway. Getting some was on my to-do list.
We arrive at Nicholas’s home, and I grab my suitcases and backpack from the truck. Nicholas gently pulls them from my hands. “I’ll take these upstairs for you.”
He hoists them like they weigh nothing and carries them to my room. Thankfully I made the bed and tidied up in the morning. Otherwise I would’ve been utterly embarrassed, especially after Nicholas saw how messy Owen’s place was.
He sets the suitcases down. “Do you want your books in your room or the library?” he asks, looking at the empty floating shelves near the reading nook.
“There are too many to put in the room.”
I open my mouth to add that there’s no need to unpack when I’m only here temporarily, but Nicholas says, “So maybe keep your favorites here and put the rest in the library?”
“How? It’s full of your books,” I say, remembering all the pristine volumes sitting neatly on the shelves.
“There are a few empty shelves. And if you need more, I can get some installed or put some of my older books in storage.”
“Thanks, but I wouldn’t want you to go to the trouble.”
“It’s no trouble. This is your home, too.”
“But I’m only here temporarily.”
“Nonsense. We’re dating.”
“That doesn’t necessarily imply that we’re living together. Plenty of couples date but still have their own places. And I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“Molly, darling, you could never overstay your welcome. And it’ll be more convincing if we’re living together.”
“But Georgia said you don’t bring women to your place.”
“Georgia talks too much. Besides, what does that have to do with anything? You’re special.”
I blink, unsure how to proceed. Those women werereal dates. I’m just a fake girlfriend. My heart pirouettes like a happy ballerina, but I hold myself back. “Of course. Aren’t I, like, your first fake girlfriend?”
“You’re the first girlfriend of any sort that I’ve wanted to bring home,” Nicholas says.
I’m screaming inside, but I press my lips together. This isn’t the time to lose my head and start believing things that aren’t being offered. I let out a soft laugh instead. “Why don’t we just leave my books in your truck for the moment? Let’s not waste the pretty day. We’re both sweaty from the move, so how about relaxing by the pool for a while? This weather’s too nice to be spent just moving stuff.”
He regards me thoughtfully.
I paste on an even brighter smile. “Unless you want to do something else? I’m flexible.”
He shrugs. “Hanging by the pool is fine.”
“Awesome. So I’ll see you there in a few?”
But as soon as he leaves, I realize my error. Hanging by the pool means putting on a bathing suit. The red-and-white retro bikini I bought is super cute, with flattering polka dots and stripes, but it isn’t going to cover up the softness of my body. My mind conjures up the taut physiques of the women from this morning, and Dad’s judgmental voice starts to ring in my head.
If you’d just started training with Jack when I asked you—
I shake myself. I’m thinking like I plan to compete with those women, which is ludicrous. Nicholas couldn’t have been less interested in them. I doubt that my losing some padding would make any difference to him.
I should put on my brand-new bikini, get some sun and start on the rom-com advanced reader copy I’ve been dying to dive into. I should also take some photos featuring the enemies-to-lovers books I plan to feature this month. A few of my favorite authors sent me paperback ARCs featuring the trope. Stack the books or spread them? Or lay them out in a fan… Choices, choices.
After changing, I stick my sunglasses on top of my head, then grab the books, my phone and sunblock and head to the pool. It looks festive with thick umbrellas and thick, pale yellow towels stretched over the loungers. The sunlight reflects brilliantly off the water, a sea of little diamonds that makes me narrow my eyes. I lower my sunglasses.
