Page 13 of Break Out

“Aren’t you worried about what they’ll say?” The side of her mouth quirks up. “That they won’t believe you.”

“Honestly? They’ll be thrilled.” I close my eyes, shaking my head imagining the guys’ reactions to the news. I’m sure Wes will go on about soul mates and romantic gestures. “Maybe they’ll stop nagging me about everything.”

“Fine, but we need rules,” she says, tucking her feet up under her as she gets more comfortable on the couch.

My eyes pop open. I guess we’re doing this.

“Rules, Aubrey? Really?” I raise an eyebrow at her. I don’t know why we need to have rules. We’ve known each other for almost twenty years, but if that makes her feel better, I’ll go along with it.

“Yes, Brody. Rules.”

“Okay, but I think this calls for a drink first. Want some wine?” I ask, getting to my feet. I don’t normally drink in the middle of the afternoon, but if there’s any occasion to do so, it’s discussing the rules for fake dating your best friend.

“Yeah, okay, Brod.” A grin springs across her face that makes her blue eyes sparkle. I nod and head to the kitchen. It only takes me a couple of minutes to pour her a glass of her favorite wine and open a bottle of beer for myself.

“Here you go.” I hand her the glass of riesling and take a swig of my beer before sitting down next to her. “Okay. What are the rules?”

She takes a big sip of her wine, like she needs some courage to say whatever it is she wants to say. She swallows. “First, we sleep in our own beds. My mother said she was canceling the second room since I’m bringing my boyfriend. I’ll call the hotel and make sure we’re getting a room with two beds.”

“Fine. Okay.” Sleeping in separate beds is probably a good idea. I’d hate to wake up accidentally touching her in a way that makes her uncomfortable.

“Second, no kissing.”

I shake my head. “Aubrey, if we’re going to sell this, there will need to be kissing. We’re supposed to be in a relationship. People will expect us to kiss. Be affectionate with each other.”

She stares at me for a few beats, chewing her bottom lip. I watch her, fighting the urge to reach over and pull her lip from between her teeth. Settle down.

“Fine. Fine,” she concedes. I smirk at her. “Kissing is allowed. But only on the cheek and only when we absolutely have to. And no catching feelings.” She narrows her eyes at me, gesturing between us. “That would complicate things when we end our fake relationship.”

“Okay.” I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about kissing her again. I drain the last of my beer to keep myself from saying anything else.

She surprises me when she says, “Do you have any rules?”

I study her for a few beats before saying, “No dating other people. It has to seem real to everyone. The last thing either of us needs is this coming out as fake.”

“Of course. We should decide on our end date now. It’ll make things easier.”

“However long you need me to be your fake boyfriend for, I’m in.”

She finishes her wine and sets the glass on the coffee table next to my beer bottle. “A week or two after my sister’s wedding? I haven’t told anyone but you and Summer I got the job, so I’ll wait until after the wedding to tell them. We can say we decided we were better off as friends because your job is here, and mine is in Hawaii.”

“If that’s what you want, Aubrey. I’ll go along with whatever you want.” And that’s the truth. I’d agree to anything for her.

“Anything else you want, Brody? Out of this arrangement? I feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick.”

I rake a hand through my hair. What do I want out of this fake relationship besides being able to tell the guys I’m dating someone? An idea forms in my head. A way to spend more time with her outside of the wedding week.

“Well, when you put it that way. The guys have planned a beach day in a few weeks. They keep pestering me to come. Go with me?”

She stares at me for a few seconds, and I worry that I pushed too far. Asked her to do something she’s not comfortable with.

Finally, she says, “Sure, okay. Sounds good. Let me know when, and I’ll be here. Anything else?”

“I don’t think so. Want another drink?” I ask, standing up. I need a moment to breathe before I ask her for something like another kiss.

“Sure.” She hands me her empty wine glass.

“Thank you.” she says when I walk back into the living room a few minutes later. I’m not entirely sure if she’s thanking me for the drink or for agreeing to a fake relationship.