“…who isn’t afraid to kick a hornet’s nest if it needs kicking.” I meet her gaze. “Be that. That’s all they need to see. That’s all I want them to see.”
Her expression softens, the panic receding, “Just… me? Chaotic, stress-eats-when-nervous, and ah—"
“The word you’re looking for is ‘crazy’.” I laugh. “And YES. Especially that you.”
I watch her do that worry thing with her bottom lip and I want to bite it.
Focus, Prescott.
"You were spectacular, Jane."
"So, what's the play?" she asks. "Do we double down? Walk it back? Pretend it never happened?"
"We tell the truth."
Her eyebrows shoot up. "The truth?"
"A version of it." I tug her back into my arms, needing the contact. "We're together. You're my new girlfriend. The rumors were tactics to keep the other women at bay while we navigate our new relationship."
"Your mother's going to hate me."
"Unlikely."
"She's going to think I'm a gold-digger."
"Maybe."
Jane tips her head back, assessing me. "And you're okay with that?"
"I don't care what she thinks." The words come out harder than I intend. "She doesn't get a vote on my fake girlfriend."
Something flickers in Jane's eyes. Something soft and uncertain that makes my chest tighten.
"Okay," she says quietly. "Partners?"
"Partners."
She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Then let's go meet the lions."
"Oh Jane… you and your animal analogies…"
"You love it."
Thirty minutes later, we're walking through the resort toward my parents’ casita, and Jane looks like she's headed for execution.
She's in a white sundress that shows off her tan—well, spray tan—and her hair is down, She looks perfect. Polished. Exactly like someone who belongs in my world.
Except her hand is shaking in mine.
"Breathe," I murmur.
"I am breathing. Very efficiently. Practically hyperventilating."
"Jane."
"What if she asks about my family? My job? My pedigree?" She's spiraling again, her words tumbling out faster.
"I don't have a pedigree, West. I have a GED and a business license from the state of Massachusetts. I fix people's problems for gas money and grocery store wine."
