Page 16 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

Chapter Nine

Harper

“ I think I have the perfect plan.”

I look over at him and see the mischievous glint dancing in his crystal blue eyes. A little flutter of excitement works its way through my stomach from that look.

“And what would that be?”

His lips quirk to the side, resulting in the most panty dropping smirk I’ve ever come to experience first hand.

Flutters start to reappear, descending deep into my core.

I bring my thighs together to quell the ache that has started to form.

Whatever he has planned, it’s either going to be crazy, or too good to pass up.

“You see, this could benefit the both of us. You can get some revenge on Dukey boy, and I can get my parents off my back for a bit.”

A scoff leaves me, and I find myself raising my eyebrow in question. “Get your parents off your back about what exactly?”

Sighing, he swirls his empty glass around on the bar top.

“For as long as I can remember, my mother has been fixated on the fact that I’m single.

Apparently, running a successful vet clinic doesn’t mean anything if I don’t also have someone by my side to show off my success.

” He shakes his head while looking into his cup.

“She’s made it her life's mission to find me someone to be with. She even set me up on a blind date once. She didn’t tell me it was a blind date, I found out when this woman approached me knowing my name and introduced herself to me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t want to find someone, but the clinic is thriving.

I want to expand it and make it better for everyone who has pets. So that has been my focus.”

I smile because the passion in his eyes is evident in how much he loves his job.

“I can say first hand how good you are at your job. Even if your bedside manner needs a little work.” My shoulder softly bumps into his.

He sighs. “I swear to you I’m not always like that, you caught me on an off day.” He looks at me with some defeat in his eyes, his smile a little sad.

“It’s okay,” I say. “ I was just bugging you.” I take a hefty gulp of my drink while the conversation stalls.

His lips lift briefly before his features turn more serious. “So, I guess what I’m asking you is– will you be my fake girlfriend?”

My thoughts slam to a halt, the question held up like a billboard in my head as I try to comprehend what he just asked.

Is this really something I want to do? Fake dating?

I don’t know if I can prevent myself from falling for this gorgeous man, even unintentionally.

And when this inevitably ends? I’ll be left with a broken heart, while everyone else moves on with their lives.

But to see the look on Dalton’s face when I show up to his new family dinner would be priceless. So satisfying . I’m still battling with myself on what to do when I’m brought back to the present when Xavier grumbles something under his breath. I wait for him to repeat it so I can actually hear him.

“This was a stupid idea, I’m sorry. Forget I brought it up.” He raises his hand signaling to the bartender for another.

Slightly panicked, I reach out, gently placing my hand on his forearm.

“No, no. Sorry, I’m just thinking it all through.

To be honest I’m probably overthinking this whole thing.

Let’s just kind of go over what exactly it is that we would be doing.

” I don’t look at him while I’m talking.

I was so transfixed on the tattoos under my finger tips.

I didn’t realise how many tattoos he has, I mean, I saw he was tattooed on his Capture.

But seeing them up close is a whole other experience, and I am mesmerised by the intricate work of the roses that work up his forearm, as it twists and curves around.

He clears his throat, and my eyes snap up to his. Heat creeps up my cheeks at being caught ogling his ink. I take my hand away quickly and grab for my drink, embarrassment swarming me. Then I do what I do best.

Word vomit.

Again.

“I just mean, are we just doing this for family dinners? Or are there other events that you need me to join you at? I don’t have many outings per say where I’ll need a fake boyfriend.

I’m an editor, and I work from home so I don’t have much going on.

I’m not really close to my family, so there are no Christmas ordeals or dinners that need to take place.

Evie is my only true family, and she’s been there for me for as long as I can remember.

The only other person I had was Dalton, but we both know how that went.

” I down the remainder of my drink, taking a moment to look around the bar.

The sound of off-tune music floods the space, encouragement and soft laughter filling in around it.

People truly enjoy karaoke night; it’s magical, and I completely get it.

I spot Evie staring intently at me, and her stare alerts me to the fact that I’m rambling and making a fool of myself.

She quickly jumps up, making her way toward me.

“Anyways, so you know. Just ground rules. Planning. That kind of stuff. I like to plan, I like to know exactly what is going to happen, and if we could write it down somewhere that’d be awesome.

While I like to plan, I swear I’d forget my own head if it wasn’t attac—”

“Hi there! I’m Evie!” She interrupts by wrapping her arm around my shoulder, sinking into my side, extending her hand for a shake. Effectively silencing my onslaught of word vomit with a single action—perfect.

Amusement shines in his eyes, as a low rumble rises from his throat, smokey and thick, before he extends his hand to shake Evie’s. “Hi, Xavier.” When I look up I’m startled to see that his eyes haven’t drifted from me. “I was just trying to make some plans with Harper here to get coffee sometime. ”

Stunned. Silence. My lips fall open in an “O” shape, and I’m unsure if I heard him right. He can’t possibly be talking to me right? Wait, no. Of course he is, he said Harper . That’s me. I’m Harper. Holy shit, what?

“Uh yeah! I mean, yeah coffee. Sounds good. Oh look! My drink is empty! I think I have had about enough for tonight though.” I push the empty glass toward the other side of the bar and run my hands down my thighs. “Evie, are you ready to head out?”

Evie eyes me skeptically, but she nods. “Uh yeah, that was why I came over here. Our ride share is just about here.”

I look over at Xavier, giving him a small smile.

“Well, I guess that’s it, then. It was really nice talking with you.

” I start to get up but feel a hand on my forearm.

I look at the point of contact and then my eyes move over to those stunning blue eyes that are focused on me. A small smirk rests on his lips.

“Can I get your number?” he asks, voice low and directed only to me. “You know, so I can take you out for coffee?” He winks, and I realize he’s asking me out to start our secret tryst.

He wants to pretend to date to get his parents off his back.

I get the benefit of revenge on Dalton, and I get the satisfaction of seeing the shock on his face.

Ha, that’d be a sight to see. I’m softly chuckling to myself but feel the energy shift.

I look up and see Evie with a hand over her mouth, holding in a laugh at my expense.

My eyes trail over to Xavier, and he’s still looking at me, one eyebrow raised when our gazes collide.

“Uh yes, you can. Here one second, let me grab my phone.” I reach for my pocket, and realize that it’s not in there.

My brows furrow as I try to think where I put my phone.

I check my other pockets, then half mindedly hold my boobs to check if I put it in my bra at some point.

Nope. Not there either. I reach to grab my purse next.

“If you’re looking for your bag, it’s right here.” Evie passes me my bag. She’s clearly been holding it the whole time. I grab it from her and find my phone. Thank God. I unlock the screen and open my contacts before I pass it over to him to fill out his information .

A second later I see his phone vibrate on the bar top. “You know, to make sure I have your number, too." He passes my phone back to me, and I put it back in my bag.

Xavier gives me a wink as he says good night, and I give a little wave as Evie drags me out the bar. A small smile forms at my lips as I replay the night, but as the cool air hits my face, Evie spins around and levels me with a stare.

“What?” I ask, feeling the heat prickle across my cheeks and neck. I begin fanning my face in an effort to cool down.

Evie raises an eyebrow at me and waits, challenging me. She plays her cards well. She knows I hate silence. So she just stands there, staring at me, with her arms crossed over her chest.

I survive for one minute before I give in. “Ugh, what! We had a couple drinks and we talked okay?”

Silence. Fuck she’s good.

“We talked and we got to know each other a bit more. Not only is he easy on the eyes Ev, but he has a hobby farm of rescued animals he’s encountered over the years.

” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “RESCUES ANIMALS!” I raise my voice for emphasis.

“And then… and then I do what I do best. I word vomit. I got so anxious and nervous that this man is talking with me—not just through a screen— but is talking to me. In person. So, what do I do? I spew everything that could possibly come to my mind.” I’m now pacing back and forth in front of Evie, who is trying to contain her giggles.

I point in her direction. “Stop it. This isn’t funny!”

“It’s kind of funny though, Harps.” Evie shrugs, unbothered by the amount of words I’ve just said. “When you get drunk off a hot guy, the word vomit is uncontrollable.”

“Yeah well, during my spewing, I let it slip about how Dalton cheated on me with his sister.”

A gasped laugh comes from Evie, as her eyes widen. “Oh Harps. You didn’t. ”