“Outside. Now.”
Ignoring the drink set in front of me, I push Pierce ahead of me, moving through the crowded bar.
“What do you mean it’s fake?” Pierce whispers at me. Downtown Dixon is the place to be tonight. Crowds are gathered out on the main drag. Patrons spill out of the bars onto patios, pints of beer in hand.
I scrub a hand down my face. “She needed help and I was there.”
“You know this isn’t in your job description, right? We only needed you to make sure paparazzi didn’t track us down and ruin the wedding.”
“I know, you wanker.”
“Then how the hell did you get yourself into this?”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pierce like this. He’s one of the most easygoing people I know. Nothing bothers him. Unless it’s with his family.
And Layla is family.
“Brad was giving her grief about her business. Everyone in town has been all over her about it and how it’s not appropriate for a single woman to sell lingerie.”
“And this culminated in you being her fiancé?”
“It was supposed to be a fake dating thing. Just during the wedding to get the town off her back while she tries to secure a new storefront. But then she was talking to these older women and it just slipped out.”
“That you’re getting married.”
“Yes.”
He stares at me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I couldn’t back down at that point. They would’ve eaten her alive, mate.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love it here. But yeah, I guess sometimes the people here can be a little old-fashioned.”
“A little? You should’ve seen the way these women were judging her. You’d think she was worshipping the devil the way they act.”
Pierce leans against the side of the building, giving me an assessing stare. It’s uncomfortable. “And you two were okay lying to everyone?”
“Fuck no.” I shake my head. “Trust me, neither of us liked doing that. But if it helped Layla save her store? I’d do it again.”
“As far as fake couples go, you’re a pretty good one.”
“Uh-huh.”
Pierce groans. “Please tell me you’re not sleeping with her.”
I don’t say a word. What can I say when he’s already pissed?
“For fuck’s sake, Simon! Which head are you thinking with?”
“You and Charlotte keep talking about wanting me to start dating.”
“And this is how you took that? To be ‘fake engaged’ to my cousin? Christ, you really aren’t thinking.”
I wasn’t. But I meant what I told him. I’d do it again to help Layla. I’d do anything she needed to help her. Because even though it’s only been a few weeks, I’d lay down my life for her.
Christ. I’m so fucking in love with this woman, it’s not even funny. What have I gotten myself into?
“What’s going to happen when we leave next week? Did you think about that?”
