My boyfriends had never loved our relationship, but I’d always made it clear that if they made me choose, they wouldn’t win.
The sales assistants clapped as Alec announced the winning outfit. Most of them cleared away. The man from the shoes department winked over his shoulder as he left. Alec didn’t let me come to the counter as the sale was put through. I guessed he didn’t want me to hear exactly what the cost was, even though I had a reasonable idea anyway.
He lingered over there for longer than necessary. As I watched him, my gaze trailed to the familiar outline of his strong arms and narrow waist and I wondered what his parents would make of all of this.
I loved Mr. and Mrs. Wright. They were so kind and fun to be around. Would they take it in stride when they learned about our act, or would they be upset by us misleading people?
Not to mention my own parents. How would they react?
Alec looked over at me and whatever he saw in my expression made him frown.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he approached, carrying our purchases.
“I hope neither of our parents will be mad at us.”
“Why would they be mad?”
I walked slowly as I gathered my thoughts. “It’s not exactly honest, is it?”
He studied me, taking my misgivings seriously. “If you’re really worried, then come over for dinner after our next game.We can talk to my parents then, and once yours realize that Thad is at the wedding, I can’t see them having any issue with us pretending a little.”
“Okay.” I let out a shaky breath. That wasn’t a bad idea. It was tradition to share dinner with his parents after his home games. We used to go to their place, but Alec often got tired early on evenings after he played so they’d taken to coming to his house instead so he didn’t have to drive while tired.
Please let him be right.
SIX
ALEC
“Oops, I left my phone in my car.” Tally excused herself from my kitchen, shooting a meaningful look at me on her way out.
I grimaced, knowing this was when I was supposed to break the news to my parents—who were serving steak and vegetables onto plates on the kitchen counter—that she and I were going to pretend to be dating to save her pride at Lake’s wedding.
After our initial conversation, we’d gone back and forth about whether we really needed to say anything about it, but considering my high profile existence, there was every chance that a photo of us looking like a couple would make its way into the tabloids and I didn’t want them to be caught off guard if it did.
I breathed in the delicious aroma of a well-cooked meal and steeled myself.
“The thing is,” I began, looking down at my hands to avoid Mom’s curious gaze, “Tally and I have… I mean, we’re…”
Why was this so hard?
I hadn’t expected it to be. It was a simple situation. I’d offered—almost insisted—on helping her, and I’d made a point of letting her know that Mom and Dad wouldn’t be botheredby it, which was true. They’d probably even be proud of me for looking out for her, but for some reason, the words were sticking in the back of my throat.
“We’re going to—”
At that moment, Tally reentered the room.
Damn. She hadn’t been gone long enough for me to get it all out.
Tally raised an eyebrow at me. Mom caught the expression and glanced from me to her and back. Her eyes widened.
“Oh, my God, it’s finally happened.” She giggled gleefully. “You’re dating. This is so exciting. I’m happy for you both.”
“We always knew you’d make a perfect couple,” Dad chimed in, his face relaxing into a smile. “You took your time about it though.”
I stared at them both, wondering what the hell was going on. They thought we made a good couple?
“Y-you don’t understand,” Tally stammered, the whites of her eyes showing as Mom flew across the room and swept her into a hug. “We’re not—”
