I know he’s a little uneasy about chatting face to face with the G&G fans, but this isn’t my first rodeo. I know exactly what kinds of questions they’ll ask, and I’ve already prepped his answers. To keep things simple, we’re keeping stuff as close to the truth as possible. The only lie is that we’re not actually dating at all.
Giving my besties and Grayson a smile and a wave, I take Boone’s hand and lead him upstairs to my bedroom. Sunlight spills into the space from the big window, a puffy floral comforter covers my queen-size bed, and dozens of tiny fairy lights placed all around the room bath it in a soft purple glow.
“We’re going to shoot the video here,” I announce, gesturing to my perfectly fluffed pillows and the comforter that I’d folded neatly back.
His gaze skims the room before settling warily on the bed. “In your bed…?”
“Yep!” I say. “It’s the perfect intimate spot to make the viewers feel like they’re part of the conversation. Believe me, it works like a charm.”
He slowly nods, still looking thoughtful. “You really know how to put on a show, don’t you?” he chuckles, but there’s a wariness in his expression. It must be his nerves.
“I absolutely do,” I insist.
Before he can say anything else, I gently nudge him toward my bed, and he eases down against my pillows. The minute he does, Coco hops up and curiously approaches him. Mouth curving and gaze softening, he holds out a big hand to her. She gives him one deliberating sniff before stepping gracefully into his lap, then she spins in an elegant circle before laying down.
I gasp in shock, staring at him with wide eyes. My heart just about melts at the sight of the two of them. Could this guy get any better?
“Just so you know, you aren’t allowed to move until she gets up,” I tease. “She doesn’t normally take to people like this.”
Coco purrs happily, a content kitty smile on her furry face.
Boone chuckles and takes my hand, tugging me down next to him on the bed. “Let’s do this,” he murmurs.
I lift up my phone, nestling into his side and giving Coco one little pat before counting down from three and starting the live feed.
The viewers instantly start rolling in, excited to meet this mystery man that I was spotted with the other day on the beach. The comments and questions are flying faster than we can even keep up, but I know we can handle this. In fact, I’m starting to think that as long as Boone and I are together, we can do anything.
Including fooling the entire population of LA into thinking we’re head over heels for each other.
CHAPTER TEN
The fire crackles, sending embers sparkling through the cool air from the blazing bonfire. A gray column of smoke slowly spirals up toward the night sky while the Coyotes celebrate their most recent win.
“So, this is the girl you’ve been talking about nonstop,” an athletic dark-haired guy says the moment Boone introduces me to his teammates and their significant others.
I grin from ear to ear as his buddies regard us. Boone loops his arm around my shoulder and flashes a smile at me, the glinting cinders reflecting in his beautiful eyes.
“You got that right,” he says proudly, turning his attention back to the group of people surrounding us. “You don’t have to tell me that Sutton is a catch. I knew it the moment I met her.”
His friends laugh and Boone tightens his hold on me. I sink into his side, head on his shoulder, arms around his waist. I try not to let myself get too excited that he’s mentioned me to his teammates. It was surely only in passing and only to drive home the genuineness of our supposed relationship.
When Boone told me that he wanted to take me somewhere special tonight, I had no idea it would be to a party with his teammates. Apparently, the Coyotes have this bonfire on their coach’s property every time they win a game. Their coach lives outside of LA in a beachy area dotted with tall trees that shift and cast dappled moonlight over our heads. Every one of the Coyotes is here tonight, along with several women whom I assume are spouses or girlfriends and some other friends. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming that I know I’m going to miss them when this whole fake relationship is over.
The reminder makes my chest ache and I force myself to ignore it.
“I’m going to get us some drinks, darlin’,” Boone whispers in my ear. Then he presses a soft kiss to my cheek before slipping away and heading around the bonfire.
As soon as he leaves, a woman in her mid-forties sidles up to my side.
“I’m Sarah, the coach’s wife,” she says with a smile. “Cody and I adore Boone so much. The whole team does. He’s never brought a girlfriend to the team bonfire before. You two must have something special.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I say, laughing uncomfortably.
Boone only brought me here for appearances, which makes having this conversation with someone who obviously cares for him more awkward than I would have thought. In the verbal agreement we made, we’d listed that we needed to have a certain number of public outings, and what better place for one than this?
“I do,” Sarah insists. “Trust me. I see the way he looks at you.”
Before I can say anything, Boone returns with those drinks he promised. The coach’s wife winks at me, then scurries away to chat with some of the other Coyotes.
