Page 51 of Pretend You Love Me

“And the baby stuff,” he says, quietly.

I avert my eyes and feel my cheeks grow pink.

“None of my business,” he adds. “Kip’s right though, and it pains me to say those words. You should probably wait a few days to work after getting banged up like that.”

“I feel fine. Just a little stiff.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. Don’t overdo it.”

“I figured out who you look like,” he says. I stop breathing. Oh, shit.

“Emma Stone,” he says, shaking his head. “It was driving me crazy until I figured it out.”

“I get that a lot,” I lie. I don’t look anything like Emma Stone other than the hair, and we’re both pale.

“I bet you do,” he says.

“I’m surprised that Kip has the good sense to lock you down. He’s normally an idiot when it comes to women.”

“Is that right?” I say, leaning back in my chair.

“His ex-wife.” Hawk just shakes his head and lets out a low whistle. “Trouble.”

“Really?”

“He just never knew how to pick them. Glad he’s grown out of that.”

“Yeah. Me too.” I say, although I’m not sure he has.

“Well, I don’t want to keep you,” he says.

“Thanks, it was good running into you.”

He tips his head and walks away. Once I’m sure he’s completely gone, I get to work. Yesterday turned up nothing. I’m really looking for a needle in a haystack right now, and the clock is ticking. I have to go back to my life - back to work at the end of the summer, so if I can’t make this happen before then, it’s never happening.

After four hours, I find the teeny, tiniest breadcrumb trail. I’m not sure it’s connected, but it’s the most promising thing I’ve seen. I take a bunch of notes and close out the computer. I’m not working today, so I should head back to the house and check out the groceries Kip had delivered and make some food.

I park in the garage and make my way to the kitchen. Something catches my eye outside, and I walk to the window.

Oh my god.I’ve walked up just in time to see Kip standing on the dock. He kicks off his shoes, whips off his shirt and pulls off his bottoms until he is completely naked. My knees nearly give out as I watch him. He dives into the lake and starts to swim away from the dock. Blue jumps in after him. Every nerve in my body is standing at attention. I’m pretty sure my panties have completely melted, and no longer exist. I want nothing more than to join him, but I shouldn’t. Right?

Right?

I haven’t made my mind up about everything. We don’t have any condoms. I should be making some food and yet. Here I am halfway down the walk to the lake.

No. No. No.

This is not something Brooklyn would do. Brooklyn would not jump into a lake with a naked man she’s only known for less than a week and yet.

Here I am, standing on the dock.

No. Brooklyn. No. He doesn’t even know your name. He doesn’t know who you really are.

That thought sobers me, and I’m about to turn and run back inside when Kip spots me.

“What are you doing, Ginger?” he calls.

“I don’t know.” I call back.