My mouth goes dry. “Becky…”
She lifts her hands to stop me from finishing. “It’s fine. Trust me, Iknowwhat it’s like.”
If anybody could understand, it would be her. It hasn’t been that long since she faced her blast from the past. Nobody ever thought that Miguel Fernandez would step foot back in our hometown, and yet, he came back, and together they changed the course of their story.
Matthew and I… we aren’t like them.
Never have been.
But I can’t tell her that, not when we have an agreement.
“It’s not like that. We knew each other in high school. We’re just… hanging out.”
Stick to the truth. That’s what Matthew said. Make them believe we’re dating.
“Funny.” The corner of Becky’s lips twitches upward. “That’s what Matthew said as well. Among other things.”
Other things? What other things? And why the hell didn’t he say something to me? Warn me that his sister—my friend—knows?
My heart is beating so wildly inside my chest, the hard thundering dulling all the other noises around me as I process this information, so I barely hear her next words.
“I’ll tell you what I told him. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt, that’s all.”
I force out a smile. “That won’t happen.”
In order to hurt somebody, there need to be feelings involved.
Matthew doesn’t feel anything for me.
And I… I learned my lesson when it comes to Matthew Williams four years ago.
This is an arrangement.
A game.
And we both know the rules.
After paying Becky, I grab the box and walk over to the police station. My heart races as the building comes into view, and those nerves start coming back.
Don’t be a ninny, Jessy.
You’re just sticking to your side of the agreement. And returning the favor from when he installed the automatic light. That’s all.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I go straight for the door, pushing it open, only to slam into the person coming out.
“Shit, I’m so sorry.”
Warm hands land on my shoulders, and even before I lift my gaze, I know who I’ll find in front of me.
“We really need to stop running into each other like this, Trouble.”
Matthew’s soft chuckle sends a shiver down my spine.
Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his warm brown eyes, taking him in.
Well, damn.
I’m screwed.
