Page 103

I laugh, swatting him playfully on the arm. "Very funny, but I think I'll pass on the neon green jumpsuit, thank you very much."
Bryce's eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins, clearly amused by his own joke. His laughter fills the room, warm and infectious, making it impossible not to smile along with him.
As we continue to browse through the store, a store employee approaches us, her eyes widening in recognition as she catches sight of our wedding rings. "Oh my goodness, you two are just the cutest couple!" she exclaims, showering us with compliments.
Bryce's arm slides around my waist, the weight and warmth of it sending a flutter through my stomach.
"Well, what can I say?" he says, his voice smooth as silk. "She's a lucky woman to have snagged a catch like me."
A flush creeps up my neck at his words. I avert my gaze, busying myself with a display of dresses to hide the pink tingeing my cheeks.
He's just putting on an act. He's just faking it,right?
A glint of deep, rich blue catches my eye as I browse through the racks. I reach out, my fingers brushing the smooth fabric of a beautiful dress. The fine lace detailing around the neckline is what draws me in, and I can’t help but lift it, examining the way the skirt falls.
"You should try it on." Bryce's voice is soft, almost reverent. His gaze lingers on the dress, then meets mine. "I bet it would look amazing on you."
My heart skips a beat at his words, and a flutter of anticipation swirls in my stomach. I nod, a smile tugging at my lips as I take the dress and disappear into the fitting room.
The moment I step out of the fitting room, Bryce's eyes widen. His jaw slackens as he takes me in. His gaze roams over my figure, leaving trails of heat in its wake.
I twirl slowly, the skirt of the dress billowing around me like a delicate cloud.
"Wow," he breathes, the word escaping his lips like a prayer. "You look ... incredible."
A blush blooms across my cheeks, warmth spreading through my body at his words. I meet his gaze, my heart pounding against my ribcage. "You think so?"
Bryce takes a step closer, his presence enveloping me. "Absolutely. That dress is made for you."
I turn to face the mirror, my reflection staring back at me. The dress is stunning, hugging my curves in all the right places and making me feel more beautiful than I ever have before.
"You're beautiful, Marissa," he murmurs, his deep voice barely above a whisper as his hand finds its way to my waist, his touch searing through the delicate fabric of the dress. With a gentle tug, he turns me to face him, and my breath catches in my throat. We're so close, mere inches apart, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body.
My heart races as Bryce leans in close, his presence overwhelming my senses. The world around us fades away, and all I can focus on is the way his dark eyes lock onto mine, intense and captivating. His hand reaches up, gently brushing a stray curl behind my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
The soft glow of the lights casts shadows across his face, accentuating his chiseled features—the strong jawline and the slight curve of his lips that I can't tear my eyes away from.
Time seems to slow down as he lowers his head, closing the distance between us. The air crackles with electricity, and I inhale sharply, catching a hint of his intoxicating scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Bryce. My pulse thrums wildly in my ears, and I can see my own reflection in his eyes.
For a moment, the world hangs suspended, and I'm frozen in place, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
His lips hover mere inches from mine, and the temptation to close the gap is almost overwhelming.
We're just pretending. This isn't real. We can't blur the lines.
Panic surges through my veins, and I stumble back, tearing myself away from his magnetic pull. Without a second glance, I turn and flee to the fitting room, leaving Bryce and the swirling emotions behind.
Chapter 22
Bryce
Hues of pink and gold paint the evening sky as the sun sets behind the sprawling estate where my father's retirement party is in full swing. Marissa and I stand side by side, our hands intertwined as we mingle with the guests, putting on a convincing display of affection for the sake of appearances.
But my mind is elsewhere, still reeling from the moment we shared in the store, the electricity that sparked between us. I can't shake the memory of how close I came to kissing her, to throwing caution to the wind and surrendering to the desire that consumes me.
She's a vision in her elegant dress, a goddess among mortals, and I can't help but feel a surge of pride and possessiveness knowing that she's here with me, even if it's all just an act.
I'm falling for Marissa, and it terrifies me. If we cross the line, if we blur the boundaries of this fake marriage, it could shatter the friendship we've built.