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With the door closed, Ford’s eyes were on the arrangement. “Hayden sent you flowers?”
“And asked me for a second date.” I shook my head. “Maybe he wanted some more window time.”
I thought it would get a laugh out of him, but Ford’s lips were tugged down at the corners. Not wanting to read too much into it, I said, “Let’s go over this packet. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“I have a cupping appointment in two hours,” he said. “I’m free ‘til then.”
“Cupping?” I asked. “Are you shopping for drinkware or something?”
That brought a smile to his face. “It helps with muscle recovery,” he said shortly.
“Ah.” That didn’t help me understand at all. I made a mental note to research it as I brought the packet, along with my notebook, to the table with the flowers sitting between us.
Ford shifted them to the side so he could see me while I opened up Tallie’s packet.
I already knew she was the best, but this report was next level. There were paragraphs upon paragraphs of fake relationships throughout history, how they ended, ways they went wrong, and methods she suggested to avoid those downfalls. She also had an estimated relationship timeline, along with already scheduled events where I could potentiallybring my fake boyfriend. There were footnotes and sources cited. I was so dang impressed.
“This is intense,” Ford said, moving his chair closer. The movement wafted the heady rush of his cologne my way. Damn, he smelled good. My mouth was practically salivating, and I reached for my green tea, taking a sip.
With my senses cooled, I read, “It says here that we should go out in public, be seen together before we officially announce that we’re dating.”
Ford nodded slowly. “I’m busy with practice sessions during the day, but dinner is usually good for me. Sometimes I can make a lunch work.”
We were dangerously close to starting this fake relationship, nailing down details that couldn’t be undone. I closed the folder and leveled with him. “Ford, you know when we start this, it’s not something we can go back on, right?” Not to mention, it was risky to pull a move like this.
He stared at me like he knew there was more to my speech.
I took a breath. “I know these outings and events together may seem frivolous, but this going badly could reflect worse on me than me just being single and sticking it out. I need to know that you’re committed to this.”
He covered my hands with his. I couldn’t tell if the gesture was comforting or electrifying as he said, “I’d do anything to stay close to my family,” he said. “Even if it’s a little uncomfortable.”
There it was, another jab to the stomach. A reminder that he really didn’t want to be spending time with me, despite the crush I’d developed for him. But I’d gotten the answer I wanted. He was committed. And he’d already signed the paperwork.
I pushed the button on the receiver on the table and said, “Vanover, can you schedule Ford and me for lunch tomorrow?”
Vanover replied, happily, “At the café?”
I shook my head. “The most public place you can find.”
12
FORD
I didn’t botherwith the hat and sunglasses that were always in my truck for when I went out in public. No, this time I was in a nice button-up with the sleeves rolled, a pair of jeans, and still somehow felt completely naked as I waited for Mia outside like Tallie instructed. I was to open the door for her when her driver arrived.
A nondescript vehicle pulled up along the sidewalk, and I could hear people pointing and talking about me. But then my phone went off in my pocket. I pulled it up and saw a new text.
Mia: Last chance to back out.
In response, I opened the car door. Her eyes held mine as I took her hand and helped her out. There was no going back now.
The instruction packet that Tallie sent me bordered on neurotic, covering everything that I should do on this first date, including placing my hand low on her waist as we walked into the building. What she hadn’t covered was the way my body would react to touching Mia’s shapely curves, feeling the swell of her ass right below my fingertips.
It also didn’t help that Mia was wearing a silk top that was incredibly soft to the touch. Had she done that on purpose?
We reached the front door, and a host held it open for us, shooing away a few people who were following us and taking pictures on smartphones. Once we got inside, a server led us to a table that was marked as reserved. It had a white tablecloth with a votive candle sitting on top, and it was clearly in the window so people could see us from the street as they passed by. A crowd of people was already forming in the window.
Mia asked, “Is it like this for you everywhere you go?”