He was funny when I didn’t want him to be, and calm when I tried to argue. It was as if he knew exactly what to say to get under my skin—the right mix of teasing and charm. He has the kind of confidence that doesn’t need to prove itself. It was also the moments when he didn’t say anything, like when his hand guided mine over tools, branding my skin like a tattoo.
The cameras caught exactly what the producers wanted—the chemistry and banter between two people working on a house together. But what they didn’t catch were all the feelings I shouldn’t have when he’s around.
Tucker made me lose track of what was real and what was for show.
This shouldn’t mean anything.
It’s supposed to be fake.
So why does my chest tighten every time he smiles?
Why does his voice still echo in my head hours later?
My phone buzzing in my hand snaps me back to reality.
Lily
I’m here!
I give myself one last look in the small bathroom mirror, running my hands through the soft curls I added, before tucking the front of my navy blue V-neck shirt into the front of my jeans. I settled on casual tonight since the bar doesn’t sound upscale.
Locking the door behind me, I make my way down the stairs to where she’s parked.
“Ready?” Lily asks as I’m halfway into my seat.
Once I’m settled and click my seat belt on, I notice she has a giddy smile on her face, filled with excitement. “You’re way too excited for karaoke.”
“It’s the best night of the week. Everyone in town goes to cut loose.” She reaches across the center console and places a gentle hand on my forearm. “And don’t worry, there are no cameras or pressure. Tonight is just small-town fun.”
No cameras.That sounds like heaven.
“Besides, you’re probably been inhaling sawdust all day, or whatever it is you were working on. You need a drink and a break from pretending with my cousin.”
I snap my head in her direction, and she has a sly grin on her face. “I never said?—”
She holds up her hand and chuckles. “Full transparency here.” She laughs as she drives. “We know about the little fake dating thing.”
“Oh.”
“You’re safe with us.” She winks. “And you know Blair and I have your back if he drives you crazy.”
Little does she know, he’s already driving me crazy, but not in a way that makes me want to escape. In a way that makes me hyper aware of his presence when he’s close to me. In a way that feels inconvenient and distracting for something that’s supposed to be pretend.
“We’re here.” Lily’s voice cuts through my thoughts just as the neon barstool flickers over the corner of Main Street.
“That was quick.”
She chuckles. “Small town.”
The parking spaces lining the sidewalk are full, but Lily finds a spot close enough. The moment I open the car door and get out, I can feel the thump of the music through my body. Witheach step toward the bar, the music only grows louder and louder.
Lily hooks her arm in mine, guiding me through the front doors. My eyes widen because she wasn’t lying. This place is packed to the brim. Looking around, I take in the fancy strobe lights and mini stage set up in the corner, where someone is singing “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.
“Now let’s get you a drink, girl,” Lily shouts over the music.
She pulls me toward the bar, but we don’t make it far because I crash right into a brick wall. Well, not exactly. The man feels like a brick wall of muscle.
He turns around holding the glass in his hand up so it doesn’t spill, and I immediately widen my eyes. “Oh my god, sir. I’m so sorry.”
