Page 87 of Merry Fake Bride

Mirth shines in his eyes and he very slowly licks his lower lips as if he’s savoring the ghost of me against his mouth.

“Wow,” he breathes. “I… I’m sorry. I should have asked.”

“It’s fine,” I assure him, and his face lights up further. “But it can’t happen again.” It’s like someone else is speaking those words as every fiber of my being craves another kiss.

It’s like I’m burning up from the inside out and he’s the only thing that will soothe me.

But my wall is creeping back up. It’s taking over and I need to protect myself.

His dark brows twitch slightly, giving me a glimpse of the swirl along his forehead. “I’m sorry I overstepped.”

“It’s not that,” I assure him quickly, winding my arms around my middle. “The kiss was… I just think we should avoid things like that, y’know? With everything going on with the bakery and this arrangement we have, it would be foolish to risk ruining both of them over a misunderstanding or something.”

Kairo slips one hand into his pocket and despite the calm way he controls himself, he fails to hide a flash of hurt in his eyes.

Guilt forms a ball in my gut.

“Do you have feelings for me, Devon?”

His question is so abruptly to the point that it catches me off guard, and I stare at him, frozen, for at least a few seconds.

Then I shake my head.

“No, Kairo. I don’t.”

The lie sours the lingering sweetness of the kiss on my tongue and it takes all my effort not to immediately correct myself when Kairo nods and takes a half step away from me.

“Devon!” Mom saves the day by hurrying toward us through the snow-covered street, taking small steps to prevent her from slipping.

Dad is just behind her. “Kairo!” She waves one hand in the air. “Look what I bought!”

I finally notice what’s in her arms and my stomach somersaults.

Four ugly Christmas sweaters.

As she shows them off, I realize exactly what she bought them for, and the guilt inside me weighs heavier.

“There’s a snowman for your Dad, a Santa for me, an elf for you, Devon, and look!”

Mom holds up a red and white knitted sweater with a wonky reindeer in the middle. “This is for you, Kairo.”

He stares at her with raised brows but is unable to say no as the sweater is thrust into his arms. “Wow. It’s quite the thing.”

“You have to wear it this week. Thursday, December first, I expect you to be here helping us with the bake sale, okay? We’ll need all hands on deck and I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

Kairo glances at me as if looking for permission, so I smile softly.

“Okay,” he says with a smile. “Just give me a time and I will be there.”

“Excellent!” Mom cheers softly and my heart lifts.

A guarantee of seeing Kairo again isn’t something I should be excited about, but I can’t help it.

He deserves someone better than me, someone who can give him everything he wants and isn’t weighed down by the ghouls in my past.

And it’s definitely in my best interests not to risk anything that could jeopardize the bakery.

So why do I feel like I’ve made the worst decision of my life?