Page 54 of The Fake Husband Deal

“Do you want grilled cheese with your soup or buttered bread?”

“Surprise me.”

He directed his attention to all the books on the shelf. My grandfather had made that too, out of the wood from a fallen tree he found on the property.

“You like cooking.”

“Yeah, I find it relaxing. I also spend far too much time working, so unless I cook in batches when I have the chance, I’d be eating nothing but takeout and crap.”

While I stirred the soup in the pan to make sure it was piping hot, Noah scoured through the cabinets to find plates and cutlery to set the table.

The only man I’d had in my space was Pierce, but he hadn’t liked it here. He’d said it made him feel like my grandfather’s ghost was still here.

I knew it was an excuse for us to spend more time at his place. Nowthatwas the definition of cold and clinical, with his black leather couches that gave you back pain if you sat on them for too long.

Noah was nothing like Pierce. Was that why I found him so captivating?

“What are we doing after dinner?” Noah asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“We’re sitting on my couch with a drink and getting to know the things we need to know to pass as a real couple.”

I hated to be the one to remind us of what we were doing but having Noah in my space felt too comfortable. If we were going to stick to the plan, we both needed that reminder.

“You’re no fun.” He pouted.

“I think you’ve already had enough fun today.”

His cheeks reddened.

“You’re right.” He stood and took our plates to the sink. “Come on, hubby. Let’s get to know each other.”

Noah

“Come on,” I muttered under my breath. The old clock on the wall of Lior’s guest room ticked on, a silent reminder that I needed to hurry.

Soon, the eyes of Cliffborough’s elite would be upon us. I needed to get every detail right.

Right now, the sleek, silky fabric of my bow tie was my nemesis. Each attempt to form the perfect bow seemed more futile than the last as the fabric slipped like water between my fingers.

“Why didn’t I get a clip-on?” I groaned.

“Because that’s not the way of a gentleman.”

I sagged, meeting Lior’s amused gaze in the mirror. “This is impossible.”

“Come here.”

I dragged my feet over to him. He was already perfectly dressed and looking like a dream. A sexy fucking dream.

“How do you always look so good?”

His salt-and-pepper beard was groomed, his hair styled. I would waltz into the mayor’s ball on the arm of a man who was put together and sexy beyond belief. Someone who belonged there.

Him? He’d be dragging a fucking hot mess.

Wasn’t I the one who broke deals? Brought in new clients to the agency?

But how would I win the hearts of the people I needed to influence to help West and Drew when I felt so discombobulated?