Page 88 of Make-Believe Match

“Ask him,” she said with a cool confidence that had me a little nervous. “Ask him what happened that day. Then ask yourself if you think it’s a little strange that he suddenly decided he’s in love with you. Ask yourself what kind of game he might be playing.”

“The only one playing games is you, Tabitha. I saw those photos from The Summit.” I shook my head. “How could you?”

“They paid me. They recognized my talent. And I need the money.”

“It would break Gran’s heart if she knew.”

She reached out and patted my arm. “That’s how I know you’re not going to tell her.”

I yanked my arm out of her reach. “Well, while you’re out there betraying her, I’m just trying to do what’s right.”

“What’sright? Like a quickie marriage just so you can inherit the place?” She snorted. “That’s rich. So how long are you planning to stay married? Just long enough to get your name on the deed, I bet.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She waggled her fingers at me. “Have a nice trip.”

Heading out to my car, I tried to reassure myself that she was just saying shit to get under my skin, the way she always had. She’d obviously talked to Bob Oliver, and he’d fed her false information.

But the conversation had left a massive pit in my stomach that was quickly filling with dread.

SIXTEEN

lexi

At home,I said nothing to Devlin as I packed a bag for the two-day trip. He must have noticed I was agitated about something, because he asked me several times if I was okay. I said I was fine, just nervous about the meeting tomorrow, which was also true.

On the drive to the airport, I kept looking over at his hand on the steering wheel, recalling what Tabitha had said. Was all of it bullshit? I hated that she was making me doubt his word after I’d come to trust him. After he’d promised me honesty at all times.

“Devlin,” I said, playing with the friendship bracelet on my wrist. “Were you fired from your job in Boston? Or did you quit?”

“I quit.” He glanced at me. “I told you that.”

“I know, but...” I sighed. “Tabitha has obviously talked to Bob Oliver, and he told her a different story.”

“What story?”

“That you were taken off the Black Diamond account when you couldn’t close the deal, and you were so mad you punched someone at the office and got fired for it.” I looked at his left hand. At the wedding band I’d placed on his finger. “So what’s the truth?”

“The truth is that I was taken off the account, I quit, and then I gave Bob Oliver the punch in the face he’d deserved for two years—probably longer.”

“You never told me that. About hitting him.”

“I’m not that proud of it. Actually, fuck that. I’m proud of it.” He shrugged. “It just didn’t seem like a necessary part of the story the night I came to your house to ask you to marry me. I didn’t want you to think I was a jerk.”

“Pretty sure I already thought that.”

He laughed. “See? It was already an uphill climb to get you to trust me. I didn’t want to add more incline with anger management problems.”

“Okay.” I kept fiddling with the beads around my wrist.

“Hey.” He reached over and took my hand. “Stop worrying. It doesn’t matter who Bob Oliver talks to. We have what we need. We’re moving forward.”

“Right,” I said, inhaling and exhaling. “We have what we need. We’re moving forward.” It reminded me of what his father had told me about him—how he was always chasing a goal, and as soon as he achieved it he was onto the next.I wasn’t sure Devlin would ever slow down enough to let someone get that close. You must have really stolen his heart.

I hadn’t, of course. And it was no use wishing I had.

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