Page 6 of Ignite My Heart

I place my hand on her arm, stalling her. “At least finish your drink. If you want to leave after that or want me to leave, I will.”

Felicity nods.

“Want a donut or something? They’ve got great pastries here,” I tell her.

“No,” she says with a tight chuckle. “I haven’t managed to get rid of the freshman thirty, so I sure don’t need any sugar.”

“You look great, Felicity.” I let my eyes roam over her form. I can’t see much with her sitting there, but I want her to know I like what I see.

She takes a sip, then hums. “So, how are your nuts?”

I wink. “Little sore. Not gonna lie. They’d probably feel a bit better if you kissed them.”

Her laughter swirls in the air around me. “Don't hold your breath.”

“Have dinner with me.”

Her laughter dissolves instantly. Those endless blue eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “I can’t.”

“Lunch, then.”

“No, uh, I have a man. A friend who’s a man. A boyfriend,” she finally says.

“In Austin?” I try to ignore that the single bite of my donut has turned to ash in my stomach.

“Nope. He’s here.”

“Saddle Creek? Do y’all work together then? Move here together?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “He’s a local. It’s new. But we’re together for sure.” She stands. “I gotta get back to the office. Nice catching up with you.”

“Right.”

I’m fairly sure she’s lying. Why? I don’t know, but I’m not giving up on her that easily. Without a doubt, we belong together.

chapter four

Felicity

"I need a huge favor."

"What's that?" Jared asks, filling the vintage brand chewing gum display by the register.

"I need you to pretend to be my fake boyfriend." I say it so quickly it comes out in a jumble of syllables.

Jared stands to his full height and stares at me. "Do I even want to know why?"

"The why seems irrelevant. Either you'll do it or not."

He continues to stare at me. "Have you been gone from here for so long that you've forgotten we're related?" He waves his hand between us. "Felicity, you're my cousin."

"This is a small town. People don't care about stuff like that,” I say dismissively.

“Stuff like incest?” His brows raise, practically crawling into his hairline. “Pretty sure they do. I know I fucking do."

"And it’s not like we’re first cousins. Besides, it would help get Audrey's attention. Make her good and jealous."

Jared’s thick arms cross over his chest. "Why would I want to make Audrey jealous?"