“I don’t see how dating me would change that. Not that we’d actually be dating,” I add quickly, my cheeks burning. “Not for real, anyway. It’d just be…”
My voice trails off, gaze lowering as I struggle to find the words.
“Fake,” he finishes, just as I whisper, “Pretend.”
“Call it what you want; it doesn’t matter.” That deep, husky voice sends a ripple down my spine that makes me shudder. “All that matters is that your ex will realize that you moved on, and that he should leave you in peace, and everybody will know that I’m serious about being back, serious about staying. Then, after a while, when things calm down, we can go our separate ways. It’s a win-win for both of us.”
My heart starts racing as I think over his words.
Actually think about them.
About the possibility that we could pull this off.
I shake my head, still trying to process everything. “There is no way this will work. Nobody would buy it.”
“They’ll buy it. We can make them buy it.”
“And if they don’t?” I push.
“They will. Your ex believed it the other day.”
I scoff. “He’s not the best judge of character. He was always paranoid that I was cheating on him, which is one of the main reasons I broke up with him. Others, though?” Another shake of my head. “Nobody will buy thatyou’redatingme.”
“Convincing them is the whole point of this. Convincing them I’m different. That I’ve changed. That a girl like you would give me a second glance.”
I want to snort out loud. There isn’t one girl in this town who wouldn’t give Matthew Williams a chance, given the opportunity. Hell, they’d probably be even more interested in the bad boy they think he is than the good guy I know hides inside him.
“What do you say, Trouble?”
He tilts his head to the side, eyes scanning my face with intensity. My mouth goes dry under his watchful stare that feels like it can see everything.
“I—” I don’t even know what to say. My heart is racing inside my chest as the ringing in my ears intensifies. I let my hands fall into my lap and brush my palms against the side of my legs as my brain works overtime.
Bolt.
I should bolt out of here without a backward glance.
What we’re discussing is crazy.
And yet, I can’t get the idea out of my head.
Damien isn’t giving up. I thought he would’ve lost interest by now, but he hasn’t, and now that I said I’m dating, he’ll expect to see it. This is a small town, and there is no hiding here, and knowing Damien, he’ll blab his mouth about my “dating.” Probably use it to paint me as the problem. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts spewing that I cheated on him or something equally ridiculous.
Fucking Mae, and my big mouth.
Always getting me into trouble.
“W-we’d need to have a story. A good one.”
Matthew stands taller. “Considering you’re a shit liar, it’s best if we stick to the truth.”
I glare at him. “Seriously?”
“You know I’m right. You can’t lie to save your life.”
Dammit, I hate it when he’s right.
“So, what do you suggest?”
