Page 2 of Pretty Desperate (Pine Village #6)

“I promised my Louis that when I was ready to let this piece of our past go, I would sell it to a family, one with a vision as beautiful and forever as ours was.”

A family?

“These walls are ready to hear laughter again. The kind of laughter that comes from love.” She spins around and pins me with a look. “You’re single, Kameron.”

My mouth drops open.

“There is another offer on the table for this building. A husband and wife with two adorable little ones. They want to bring a home goods and décor shop to town, featuring some local artisan wares. I think it’s a wonderful idea,” she says.

“Home goods and décor?” I whisper, mostly to myself as I gaze around the empty space.

My dreams seem to be going up in flames with each passing second. Mrs. Krokus isn’t going to sell to me because I don’t have a family? A wife? A girlfriend?

Unless…

“I’ve been seeing someone,” I blurt out, catching even myself off guard.

She turns and pins me with a look. “You have?”

I nod insistently. “Yes, I’ve been dating someone for a few months now.”

“Well, that’s wonderful news!” she proclaims, shuffling toward me. She places her hand on top of mine. “Is it getting serious?”

I nod again. “It is.”

Reaching up, she places her hand against my cheek. “This makes me so happy for you. I hadn’t heard you were seeing anyone.”

“We’ve been keeping it pretty quiet. Low-key. You know how this town gets,” I say, my head spinning as I fabricate a story on the fly.

“Yes, I do. I can understand and appreciate wanting to keep it to yourselves until the time is right.” She turns hopeful eyes my way. “And is that now? Is the time right for you to step out together? Show the world your love?”

My throat is completely dry, my brain is ready to explode.

I know what I’m doing is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop.

I’ve wanted this building for more than a decade, and now she’s finally willing to sell.

Only, she doesn’t want to sell to someone without the prospect of a family on the horizon.

It’s completely ridiculous and absurd, but what can I do?

Besides, it’s one little white lie.

No big deal.

“It is.” Just saying those two words is like raking my vocal cords over sandpaper.

“Oh, how wonderful!” she proclaims with a little clap of her hands. “I want to meet her.”

What?

“What?”

“I would love to meet the woman who finally stole your heart, Kameron. If you’re finally ready to step forward with your relationship, then it’s only fair that we meet. You want to purchase this building, correct?”

I nod, unable to find words.

“Then we shall all get together, say for dinner soon?”

“I’d, uh, well, I’d have to ask her if that works for her schedule,” I say, running my hand down the back of my neck nervously.

“Of course. What does she do?”

“She owns a business. Here. In Pine Village.”

For fuck’s sake. Really, Kameron? That’s the best you can come up with?

At least pick some fictitious woman from a neighboring town like Hudson. Now, I have to find a girlfriend in my hometown of two thousand, knowing the single dating pool is getting drier and drier by the day.

“Which one?” she asks eagerly, ready to put the pieces of my lying puzzle together.

My mind spins. I’m at a crossroads. I should end this now, confess that I lied and walk away from the building.

It’ll be sold to another family and a home goods and gift shop—or whatever in the hell they were going to put here—will open instead of my restaurant.

It would serve me right for outright lying to this sweet old lady in an attempt to purchase her building.

I’m the worst kind of asshole, but I can’t seem to get past the tip of my own growing nose right now to right this wrong.

Or I could cultivate this little white lie and grab hold of my dream.

It’s the first time it’s been even an option for me.

Right this very second, it’s dangling before me, like a carrot to a horse, and all I have to do is take a bite.

So I need a girlfriend. I can do that. It’s not forever, right?

Just a short period of time to help me get this building.

Someone I trust with the truth and will understand and appreciate my drive for success.

Someone who does own a business in town and is just as determined and driven as I am.

Someone with acting skills who can sell this lie until it’s time to walk away.

Someone like my friend, Jillian.

Not that Jillian’s really a friend. We have mutual friends, really. Sure, we’re on friendly terms, but it’s not like we hang out or anything.

But Jillian fits the bill.

She owns a business here in town, and as far as I know, she’s not dating anyone.

Plus, she’s fucking gorgeous and fake dating her wouldn’t be a hardship.

I know what I have to do.

I just have to convince Jillian to lie with me.

“She owns the bakery,” I blurt out, feeling heat creep up my neck.

“Jillian Kirby? Oh, what a lovely young woman. Her cinnamon rolls and scones are simply divine,” Dorothy says, looking quite pleased. “I’m so happy to hear you two are dating.”

“Thank you,” I somehow spit out over my Sahara-dry throat.

“I’d love to meet with you both. Soon. Maybe next Sunday? The bakery is closed, so it would be easier for her. I know your restaurant is open, but surely you can slip away for an hour or so to appease an old woman.”

“I can.”

“It’s set then. Let’s say five o’clock? We can dine in your restaurant so it’s more convenient for you. You can show me your plans for this space, and we can work out any details needed. After that, if we can agree upon a price and terms, I’ll be in contact with my lawyer.”

If it’s possible, my heart sinks and soars at the exact same time. I’m ecstatic for the opportunity, yet completely shocked at how I’m getting it.

And maybe a little worried at the extent at which I’m willing to go…

“That sounds wonderful, Mrs. Krokus. I’m sure next Sunday at five will work beautifully,” I say, my entire body hot, despite the fact the room is not.

“Great. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to the diner.”

I escort the older woman to the door, where she retrieves her walker. Together, we exit the building, and I secure the door behind us. “Thank you, Mrs. Krokus.”

“No, thank you, Kameron. I look forward to sharing a meal with you next weekend,” she says with a smile.

“Me too. And I’m sure Jillian will be ecstatic.”

My gut churns.

“Enjoy your holiday weekend,” the old woman says before starting to shuffle toward the diner down the street.

“You too,” I holler, throwing her a wave as she goes.

My head tells me I need to stop this. A lie of this magnitude won’t have the outcome I expect, that’s for sure. I’m deceiving a sweet old woman to get her building. A building I’ve wanted, lusted after for more than a decade, but still. It’s not right.

But…what if it is right? What if this is exactly what I’m supposed to do? Not the lie itself, but the determination and hard work to achieve my dream. I’ve never been afraid of going after what I want, and I’m not one to back down from a challenge.

That’s what this is.

An obstacle put in front of me. One I need to consider and figure out. Like a puzzle. Dorothy has terms for selling the building, and I can find the solution to achieve what I’m after. It’s actually quite simple.

I need to go secure a girlfriend.