Though my sisterseemed sad about the idea of me changing cabins, I could tell a small part of her tired, pregnant body was relieved to not have to sleep on the pull-out couch. And Ben would probably be excited to walk around in his underwear.
I spotted Miles out chopping wood behind the barn. Of course he would be chopping wood. My steps slowed significantly as I drew closer, watching his tall, lean body bend over to place a log carefully on the stump, lift the ax, and swing. I jumped, hearing the abrupt thunk as his muscles tore through the log like it was a twig. It was too much. Really. All of Chloe’s lumberjack jokes, and here I was, about to beg one to be my fake boyfriend. Again.
When I was a few yards from him, he stopped and stood tall, stretching his back. Though he was covered up to ward off the chill, my eyes couldn’t help but admire the way the old pair of Levis snugly fit his frame. Turning, he spotted me almost upon him and smiled.
My breath caught. That smile was unexpected. It seemed genuine and didn’t look like he was about to tease me or—
“Morning, Celery Stick.”
Okay. Yeah. Back to earth.
“I’ll do it.” Might as well just get down to business before the “offer” could change or whatever nonsense he threatened last night.
His eyes narrowed, and alarm bells began ringing through my head. Maybe Ishouldjust let Chloe take the couch. No. I had to do this. Also, there was Glenn to consider.
“Do what?” His gleam etched across his face, letting me know we would be doing this the hard way.
I sucked in a breath, allowing myself to revel in the last calm moment before my world would change forever. “Pretend to date you this week.” Oh, yuck. I can’t believe I was even saying those words aloud. Pathetic and one hundred percent my own fault.
“What changed your mind?”
“A three-year-old barfing all over me at 2 am.”
To his credit, his face was sympathetic. “That’ll do it.”
“I need my own cabin.”
“I see.” He nodded his head thoughtfully as he leaned over to set another log on the block.
I waited with bated breath for my fate.
“Well, unfortunately, since you waited so long to accept, the offer has changed.”
There it was.
“Come on,” I whined, taking another few cautious steps toward him.
“I’m sorry. I tried to warn you last night.”
“Changed to what?” I asked, folding my arms. Of course he wouldn’t make this easy. Except, this time, I had to say yes.
He adjusted his gloves. “Nothing too drastic. But I realized something. I gave you too much. If you get your own cabin, you’ll never leave. Nobody would ever see us together.”
“That’s not true.” It was exactly true. A brilliant plan if I said so myself. “I’m sure I’d get hungry.”
“There’s a coffee maker in that cabin. And it’s a good one. So that only leaves two meals you’d consider coming outside for.”
I didn’t like where this was going, but I couldn’t see how to stop it. Miles was looking at me like I was a juicy hamburger, and he hadn’t had lunch yet. I felt flushed and agitated and twitchy.
“Doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to fake date? Limited time together?”
A small smirk appeared on his face. “It might be easier, but much less realistic. I’ve got a reputation to uphold. Any woman of mine wouldn’t be able to keep her hands off me.”
“You’re about to be very disappointed, then.”
He only stood there with arms folded, a lazy grin on his face as he waited for me.
With great reluctance, I asked, “What do you have in mind?”