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“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m going to teach you how to recognize a gentleman, how to recognize a perfect man.”

“But I already …”

“Isn’t that why you asked me to help you in the first place?” He cocks his head to the side. “Because you weren’t having luck with men.”

“I mean, kind of.” I lick my lips nervously. “But I feel like this is going past the line. I feel like this is more than coaching. Maybe this is how a best friend would coach you. Maybe this is how a man who wants to see you with the right man acts. Or are you doing this because yesterday, I …”

His phone starts ringing, and he holds his hand up. “Sorry, I have to take this. It’s my sister Clara. It could be important.”

“Okay.” I nod slowly and watch as he heads over to the living room and sits on the couch.

“Hey, sis. Is everything okay?”

I head to the kitchen so I’m not eavesdropping on his conversation. I run some cold water and splash my face. My entire body is hot. Brett has gone and turned the tables on me. He’s playing me at my own game, and now there’s no way I’m going to end the bet. Now I’m more excited than ever because I have to win it.

“No, I do not have a fiancée,” he mutters under his breath. “I don’t care what he wants.”

I freeze at his words. Why was his sister asking about a fiancée? Was Brett engaged before and I didn’t even know it? My head pounds as I lightly touch my lips.

Is there a deeper reason for Brett being so closed off? He said he’d never been in a serious relationship or engaged before, but what if he lied? What if he just thought it was none of my business? It would explain why he seems to alternate between hot and cold and why I now feel even more out of my depth than I did before.

Chapter Eight

BRETT

“I can’t believe you’re just going to give up your inheritance, Brett.” My sister Clara sounds absolutely exasperated as she lectures me on the phone.

I’m trying to pay attention to her, but I’m still processing how bold I’ve been with Rosie. I can still feel the warmth of her skin against my lips. I haven’t been able to sleep well after her comment that maybe I needed a dating coach. Maybe because she hurt my pride a little bit, and maybe because I am curious what her lessons will include.

“Neither can I. Brett, what are you doing?” my other sister, Blair, says, sounding aggravated.

“Guys, I know you love three-way calls, but I’m kind of busy right now.” I want to give Rosie my attention, especially seeing as I’m at her home.

“I don’t care if you’re busy,” Blair says. “Granddad told us that you’re going to give up your inheritance because you don’t believe in love, and that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“I love you guys, but can we talk about this later?” I look back over and see Rosie standing in the kitchen, trying not to eavesdrop on my conversation.

“No, we’re going to talk about this right now. We know you wanted the trust so that you could—” Blair says pointedly.

“Guys, enough. I’m not getting married.”

“You don’t have to get married. Just tell Granddad you’re getting married.” Clara adds, and I can tell from her tone that she’s close to laughter.

“He’s not going to believe that all of a sudden I’m getting married out of nowhere.”

“Do you not watch movies or read books?” Clara says with a loud laugh. “Get a fake fiancée or something.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What? You’ve never heard of the idea of a fake fiancée?”

“Not really. What is that?”

“Hire someone to pretend that she’s your girlfriend because maybe it’s not going to be as believable that you have a fiancée right away. And then when we’re at the family estate in Santa Barbara with everyone, propose to her. That way, Granddad thinks you’ve capitulated, and you’ll get your trust.”

“I think that’s an absolutely awful idea, and I have to go now. I’ll see you both soon. I love you.”