This seems practical.
“If I say yes,” I said slowly. “What exactly are you asking for? What would this fake engagement actually look like? In public? For Lily?”
His expression didn’t change, but I saw his shoulders relax slightly. “Lily would be our priority. You both stay here. Move in with me. I’m having the second guest room converted into a nursery, and it’ll be ready tomorrow. We tell people we’re engaged. You file for divorce, and I’ll make sure you have the best lawyer in the city. We make Jack believe it’s genuine enough that he moves fast. As for what it looks like in public? We look like a couple in love. Like the childhood friends to lovers trope. We touch, kiss, and we sell the hell out of it.”
I tried not to focus too much on the touching and kissing part.
“And then?”
“And then whatever you want,” he shrugged. “If you want to call it off once the divorce is final, we call it off. If you want to stay friends, we stay friends.”
He crouched down beside my chair, putting us at eye level. That close, I could see the flecks of darker blue in his eyes, the worry lines creasing his forehead, and the stubble on his jaw.
He didn’t look like my boss or the smooth attorney who charmed clients.
He looked like Derek. My Derek. From when we were kids and everything was simpler.
“Paige,” he whispered, and hearing my name in his rich, smooth voice made my pulse race. “I know this sounds crazy. But I can help you. Let me help you.”
I bit my lip, thinking about the fake engagement.
“Stop overthinking,” he said, his deep voice snapping me out of my thoughts. “Let me be what Jack never was. Let me be your man.”
I closed my eyes.
This was insane. Completely and utterly insane.
Fake engagements were things that happened in romance novels, not real life.
But then again, I never imagined finding my husband in bed with another woman either.
When I opened my eyes again, Derek was watching me with an intensity that made my heart stutter. I didn’t know what to make of his expression. It looked like it was deeper than just friendship.
“Okay,” I said. “Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s get fake engaged and make Jack’s life hell.”
Derek grinned, and the sight of it made my chest warm. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I smiled back, and it felt strange on my face. “But Derek? If we’re doing this, we are doing it right. I’m not letting him think he won by breaking me. We touch, kiss, and we make them believe we can’t keep our hands off each other.”
“Deal,” he said, his voice firm.
I held out my hand, and we shook on it. His hand was warm, big and solid around mine. I tried not to think about how it felt less like sealing a business arrangement and more like stepping off a cliff.
But Derek didn’t let go right away. His thumb brushed across my knuckles, sending electricity up my arm.
“Thank you,” I whispered, not sure what I was thanking him for.
“Always, Paige-bear,” he said softly.
I pulled my hand back gently, needing to break whatever spell had fallen over us.
The deal had nothing to do with the way Derek was looking at me. Nothing to do with the warmth still spreading through my chest from where his hand had touched mine.
Nothing at all.
“I should probably get Lily to bed,” I said, glancing at my daughter. “It’s been a long night.”
“Of course.” Derek stood, putting distance between us, though his eyes gleamed with an unknown emotion. “The guest room should have everything you need. If you want anything else, just let me know.”
