“We’re dating, aren’t we?” He tossed her a playful grin. “And those are some very nice legs.”
Warmth flushed up her neck.“Pretendingto date.”
“Details.”
She snorted as he put the car in Reverse and backed from the drive. “Seriously, you realize this car will only draw attention.”
“That’s a good thing, right? Besides, I couldn’t resist. She corners like she’s on rails.”
Boys and their toys. Oh well, might as well enjoy the luxury. Her seven-year-old Camry wasn’t nearly this appealing.
Because his muscled leg, complete with California tan, wasright there, she turned and stared out her window. She’d tossed and turned all night, worrying about this plan and wondering if she’d soon regret it.
But no, it would be worth it when he nailed the part of Ledger. When the movie lived up to the book. When her social media followers climbed into the stratosphere. At least that’s what she told herself.
He reached the end of her street and turned away from town.
“So what’s on the agenda? Or are you still keeping me in the dark?”
“You don’t seem to like surprises much.”
He probably hadn’t noticed, but they weren’t always good.
“Thought I’d take you on a quiet picnic. But if you’d rather do something else, I’m flexible. We could just stroll around town or sit at the coffee shop and gaze across the table at each other.”
She was being a poor sport. “A picnic sounds great. Sorry, I’m a little on edge. I get that way when I’m nervous.”
“I make you nervous, huh?”
She scowled at him. “About the gossip sites. Jeez, the ego on you.”
“I gotta keep you on your toes. If for no other reason than it’ll give you a few inches of height.”
“Hey.”
He chuckled. “You are too easy, sweetheart. We might have an agenda, but while we’re at it, we can have a good time too.”
That sounded dangerous. But maybe he was right. It would be hard to fake it. If she were actually having a good time, the photos would be more authentic. More believable.
A few minutes later he pulled into Waterfront Park and eased the car into one of the many empty spaces. “You know there’s a park right in the center of town, right? You’d be recognized there for sure.”
“Too obvious. We’re a couple falling in love and trying to avoid the limelight. Don’t worry, we’ll be spotted. Stay right there.” He exited the car, came around her side, and opened the door.
“Are you always such a gentleman?”
“My mother would have my head if I didn’t open a woman’s door.”
“Your mother’s not here.”
“Sure she is.” He tapped his temple. “Right here. It was ingrained from an early age. Apparently my dad wasn’t good about that stuff, so she coached me pretty hard.”
Interesting note about his parents. She was curious to know more about them, but that would mean opening up herself, and he didn’t need more than the basics.
At the thought of her family’s past, a finger of dread pricked her spine. What if someone dug around and discovered the truth of what her father had done? The thought of that secret being exposed filled her core with cold dread.
But no, that wasn’t possible. Only a handful knew her father was a bigamist, and there were no records of her parents’ so-called marriage. There was nothing to find. She pushed away the concern.
He popped the trunk and pulled out a bona fide picnic basket.
