“I had no idea you were such a good liar,” Lindsey said, intending the words to come out more playfully than they did.
His brow furrowed. “I can play a role when necessary. Like when I’m trying to infiltrate a company. That usually requires a little social engineering.”
She nodded and looked down at her plate as she shoved several fries into her mouth. Why was this bothering her?
Because he might be playing a role with you.
But to what end? And why should she care?
“Lindsey.” He put his hand on hers and waited until she looked up to see her own reflection in his sunglasses. “I’ve meant every word I said to you. I like you more than seems reasonable given the amount of time we’ve known each other.”
Heat filled her cheeks and any response she might have mustered caught in her throat. Could he tell she felt exactly the same way?
“The only thing I’m pretending when I kiss you is that this attraction between us could actually turn into something more.”
Lindsey tugged her hand out of Todd’s grasp and gave him an indignant look. “Am I supposed to be flattered or insulted?”
“Shit.” The minute the words left his mouth, he’d known they were the wrong thing to say. Honest, but wrong. “That—”
“Forget about it.” She re-wrapped her half-eaten sandwich and stuffed it into her backpack before extricating herself from the picnic table. “The only reason I’m here is Megan. She’s my number one priority. Anything else is a distraction.”
Is that what he was to her? A distraction?
His own food lost all flavor.
What a hypocrite. Hadn’t he basically implied the same about her just now? If he knew the spark between them couldn’t go anywhere, then kissing her had been pure selfishness, nothing but a pleasant distraction from this massive goatfuck.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Lindsey said, slipping the backpack straps over her shoulders.
Todd stood. “Wait. I didn’t mean it like that.”
She looked at him. “Yes, you did.”
“Not for whatever reasons you’re thinking. I—”
“Doesn’t matter.” She held up the palm of her hand to stay his words. “I did mean whatIsaid. I’m here for my friend, and I can’t let anything get in the way of that.”
Same. Why was it so hard to remember his purpose when she was around?
She stiffened and her attention shifted to something over his left shoulder.
“What is it?” he asked without turning around.
“Sheriff’s car.”
“Okay, look at me.”
She slowly shifted her gaze in his direction.
“Relax,” he said, a total imposter whose own heart spun like a pinwheel. “If you keep standing there like a frightened rabbit, they’llknowsomething’s up.”
“Right.” She forcibly dropped her shoulders and gave him a tight smile.
“How about… Can I kiss you?”
“What?” Her head jerked back.
Possibly this wasn’t his best idea. Her entire body had gone rigid, the exact opposite of what he wanted to accomplish. “I just thought…maybe if we look like a carefree couple who’ve known each other for a while, we won’t attract suspicion.”
