Page 43 of Make-Believe Match

“You might be stuck watchingThe Bear,” she warned.

I grinned. “I fucking love that show. Let it rip.”

Her laughter was my new favorite sound.

* * *

I’d booked first class tickets, and Lexi was duly impressed. “So this is how the one percent travels,” she said, relaxing into her roomy seat by the window as we soared above the clouds. “Nice.”

“Nothing but the best for my fiancée.”

Ignoring me, she smiled at the flight attendant who appeared at my side asking what we’d like to drink. “Just water, please.”

“What?” I shot Lexi a disgusted look and met the flight attendant’s eye. Her name tag said Donna. “Don’t listen to her, Donna. We’re eloping today, so we’ll have champagne.”

Donna gasped. “That’s so exciting! Congratulations!”

“Thank you.” I put my arm around Lexi. “We couldn’t be happier.”

“How long have you been together?” she asked.

“Forever,” said Lexi at the same time I said, “We just met.”

“What he means is that itfeelslike we just met, even though we’ve been together for years,” Lexi said, pinning me with an evil stare. “Right, darling?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “Time flies when you’re this madly in love.”

“Where’d you meet each other?” asked Donna.

“Work,” replied Lexi, just as I said, “School.”

I laughed. “Well, it was work for her, school for me. You see, she was my teacher, and even though her crush on me was totally inappropriate, some feelings just cannot be denied.”

The poor woman looked totally confused. “She was your teacher?”

“His ski instructor,” Lexi clarified. “And he was awful, just awful. I had to spend a lot of extra time with him. Many private lessons.”

“Oh.” The clouds on her face lifted, and Donna smiled. “Well, congratulations. Would you like a picture? A photo of you guys on the plane as you elope?”

“No, thanks,” said Lexi, while I answered, “Good idea.”

I opened the camera on my phone and handed it to her. “Here you go.”

“Smile,” she said, snapping the shot. “Perfect. How about a kiss?”

Lexi shook her head. “That’s not necessary.”

“Now, sweetheart, don’t be shy.” I met her eyes and spoke quietly. “It’s only a kiss. It’s not even against the rules.”

“Fine,” she whispered. “One kiss. And then we’re amending the rules.”

I pressed my lips to hers, which she kept firm and closed. Even so, my body prickled with heat.

“Got it,” said Donna, handing my phone back to me. “And I’ll be back in a minute with your champagne.”

The second she was gone, Lexi turned on me. “What was that?”

“That was practice,” I said, removing my arm. “And clearly we needed it.”