“Can I get you anything else?” she asks, eyes lingering on me for a moment too long before she comes to her senses and turns to smile brightly at Lizzy.
“We’re good. Thanks,” Lizzy grins back, reaching for her burger.
I push my food around on my plate, trying to find the right words. “This isn’t just a role for me, Iz,” I finally say, voice low. “I meant what I said last night. All of it.”
Her eyes flick up to mine, searching, and I hold her gaze, allowing her to see only what she needs to see for now.
“How long?” she asks, setting her burger down.
“Originally, I was thinking it would be just while I’m here filming. But it could be more like six months to a year. Just until the movie is released and I secure the directing gig.”
She takes a bite of her burger, chewing thoughtfully. “And what about...” She hesitates, eyes darting away before coming back to mine. “...physical stuff?”
My heart rate doubles instantly and my next word almost comes out as a squeak. “Physical?”
“If we’re supposed to be a couple, people will expect certain things. Hand-holding. Hugging.” She swallows hard. “Kissing.”
The memory of me taking her mouth less than twenty-four hours ago sends heat coursing through my veins. “Only what you’re comfortable with,” I barely manage, voice rough.
Lizzy sets her half-eaten burger down. She looks out the window, and the next words out of her mouth send a jolt of hurt through my veins.
twenty-seven
“I don’t even knowyou anymore.”
Hurt flashes in his eyes before it’s quickly replaced with resolve. “What better way to get to know me again than to date me?”
My gaze flicks from watching the boats on the lake back to his face. “Fake date.”
Rowan shrugs. “Tomato, tomahto.”
I’m not sure if it’s the sun beating down on me through the tinted glass, or the way he’s looking at me with a hopeful spark in his eyes, but I find myself slowly starting to cave.
What he’s proposing is beyond nuts. Out of all the romance books I’ve read, this is the last trope I’d ever thought I would be a part of in real life.
“There has to be some sort of catch,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. “Something you’re not telling me.”
Rowan leans back in his chair. “Look. I know this is crazy, but I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate.”
“Desperate, huh? Ease up on the flattery there, bud.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” His voice drops, taking on a roughness that has always made my insidesturn to jelly. “This isn’t just about my career. It’s about proving to myself I can be more than just the guy in front of the camera. I want to prove myself from behind the camera too.”
I take another bite, trying to buy myself more time. The truth is, part of me—a bigger part than I’m comfortable admitting—wants to say yes. Not just to help him out, but because despite it all, I’m curious. Curious about who he’s become. Curious if there’s still something between us worth salvaging. Even if it is just friendship.
“And this... arrangement. It’ll be… exclusive?” I ask. “Are you going to see other people during our little deal?”
Something along the lines of possessiveness flashes in his eyes before he carefully schools his expression. “No.”
“So I’m just supposed to put my sex life on hold for a year?” I throw out.
“Are you seeing someone?” he growls.
My gaze catches on the featherlight ticking of his jaw.
Is he… jealous?
Slowly, he sits up and looks me dead in the eye. “Well? Are you?”
