I don’t know if that kiss meant the same thing to her as it did to me… or if she’s playing her part in this little arrangement she came up with.
The thought sits heavy in my chest.
I head back inside, but I don’t go straight to my desk.Instead, I stop, staring at the empty chair she sat in minutes ago.Her scent still lingers in the air, sweet and warm and completely hers.
Mine,my mind supplies immediately.
I shake my head.
Not yet.Maybe not ever if I don’t figure this out.
I scrub a hand over my face and let out a quiet breath.
How do I make her see it?How do I make her understand that this, whatever is happening between us, isn’t something you walk away from after a wedding?I want all of it.All of her.
My gaze drops to my phone on the desk.Maybe I do need to call Camden because I’ve got no damn idea how to convince a woman she’s mine when she still thinks I’m playing pretend.
SEVEN
Jem
I didn’t expectto miss him this much.It’s ridiculous, really.I mean, it’s only been a week since we were last together.
I’ve spent the last seven days running around like crazy.If I’m not working at the dress shop or working on the alterations for Fern’s dress, I’m over at her place helping with wedding planning.So far, we’ve gone over the reservation for the reception, worked on her vows, tried different makeup and hairstyles, and booked appointments to get our nails done the morning of the wedding.
Between fittings, fabric orders, and last-minute changes, I barely have time to breathe, and yet every quiet moment, he’s there.
If I’m not daydreaming about him or literally dreaming about him, he’s texting me.
Rune:Eat yet?
Rune:Don’t stay too late.
Rune:Drive safe.
Rune:Don’t work too hard.
Simple texts,short, to the point, but they mean everything.I press my lips together as I stare down at my phone, rereading his last message for the third time.
Rune:Thinking about you.
My stomach flips.
“Get it together, Jem,” I mutter to myself, tossing my phone onto the counter.
I glance around my shop.Everything is done for the day.Tomorrow’s appointments are prepped, the dresses are hung, and the lights are already dimmed.
I could stay.I should stay.There’s always more to do.
Instead, I grab my purse.
Nope, not tonight.Tonight, I’m taking a break.
I know exactly where I’m going as I grab my keys and lock the door behind me.I smile all the way to my car and climb behind the wheel.Making a left at the stop sign, I pull into the parking lot of Salsa Supreme.
I order and then wait impatiently until my order is called out.I grab the bag, the warmth seeping into my hands, and grin to myself as I head back to my car.
This is a good idea.Right?It’s totally normal.I’m just bringing food to the guy I haven’t stopped thinking about all week.The guy I’m fake dating.