Page 17

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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S he was taking forever.

I bounced my leg while scrolling through the sports highlights on my phone, trying not to check the time again. Whenever I did, I would get more agitated.

We were meeting our friends at the pub tonight, so I was imagining all the things that could go wrong. We had to put on a show and let the whole town think that we were back together.

Molly had texted Harlow earlier that Finn’s parents were watching Emma and wanted us to meet them out. Then, of course, Tuck and Hayes invited themselves when they found out.

They’d been texting me nonstop since our family dinner. I knew they suspected something, so I told them the truth.

I was surprised at how supportive they were, but then again, they were my brothers. I trusted them with my life.

I looked up from my phone when I heard the bedroom door creak open. Harlow stepped out wearing a black dress that was so short I was afraid if she sneezed, the dress would go all Marilyn Monroe on her and there wouldn’t be much left to the imagination.

I was tempted to have all her designer clothes boxed up and sent back to the city.

My gaze lingered as I scanned down her body and then back up to her face. “Your dress shows too much leg.”

“Really?” She breezed past me, finishing pushing her hoop earring through her earlobe. “I didn’t think it showed enough.”

“Harlow.” I gave her a warning glare. “We are supposed to be engaged. That dress says, ‘I’m single and ready to make your dick tingle.’”

She froze mid-step and gave me a look that made my balls shrivel up in my sac. “What exactly are you implying?”

I stood up. “I’m not implying anything. That dress, or lack of one, is nothing more than a piece of fabric pretending to be clothing.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It’s simply a dress. I don’t care what you think. I will dress how I want.”

I rubbed a hand over my face. The woman was going to get me in a damn fight tonight. “We are supposed to be convincing the whole town we’re in love, not giving them a damn peep show.”

She folded her arms across her chest. That little movement caused the dress to ride higher up her legs.

I cursed under my breath when she stepped closer. “You better watch it. And what do you care what I wear, anyway? This is all fake, remember?”

“Trust me, I remember,” I grumbled. “That doesn’t mean I’m okay with you walking around, giving men the green light to hit on you.”

“Wait.” She tilted her head. A smirk spread across her lips. “Are you jealous?”

“Don’t be absurd. I just don’t want the men in town to get a peek. If this is going to work, we don’t need any unwanted eyes or attention on you.”

I was so full of shit, and something told me she knew it, too.

Harlow stepped closer. I could smell her soft vanilla-scented perfume. “Would you be more comfortable if I put on a sweater and jeans?”

I’d feel better if she dressed like a nun.

I shrugged. “I won’t stop you if you do.”

She smiled like she knew exactly what I was thinking.

She brushed her hands along her hips. “You’re ridiculous. It’s not like I’m planning on dancing on top of the bar and doing body shots.”

“The night is still young, princess.”

“If you really want people to think we’re in love, leave your grumpy attitude at the door.”

She picked up her purse and gave Diesel a pat on the head as she stepped onto the porch.

I wanted to argue with her, but she wasn’t wrong. The truth was, she looked stunning—too pretty for her own good. My attitude wasn’t solely about the dress. It was a reminder of where we stood. So, no matter how badly I physically wanted her, I couldn’t act on it.

Once upon a time, I could, but not anymore.

“Don’t forget, you’re wearing my ring on your finger. Keep that in mind when guys start flirting with you.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “No one is going to flirt with me. You have possessive fiancé written all over you.”

I hated it when she was right.

The pub was already packed by the time we got there. Thankfully, Tuck arrived early and secured us a booth in the back. This was the first time we’d been out in public since people found out about our engagement. I could already feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on us.

Harlow walked in front of me as we weaved our way through the bar. A few guys stopped and stared. I couldn’t blame them. It was hard not to.

Especially in that damn dress, which was probably illegal in some states.

I kept my glare in place and aimed it at anyone who I thought might try to approach her.It was taking everything in me to keep my hands to myself and not pull her into my chest, so everyone would know she was mine.

“Hey.” Molly waved her hands in the air as we got closer.

Molly pulled Harlow into her arms as soon as she sat down. I nodded to Finn as he leaned back, drinking his beer.

The girls were whispering and laughing. I found myself relaxing for a little bit.

“Where is Hayes?” I asked Tuck, who was staring at his phone.

“Over at the pool table.” He used his half-drunk beer bottle to point to our younger brother, who was smack in the middle of a group of pretty girls, showing off as usual.

Hayes was the life of the party. He’d always been like that. He thrived on attention, and judging by how the girls were giggling at his antics, I’d say he was getting plenty of it tonight.

I shook my head and turned to my buddy Finn. “The man has no shame.”

“None,” he said, as we watched my brother lean a little too far over the table, trying to help some poor unsuspecting girl shoot the ball into the pocket.

“He’s always liked playing it up for the crowd,” I said, resting my arms on the cool wood table.

“He’s putting on quite a show tonight. Gotta respect his determination.” We both watched him dramatically line up a shot behind one of the girls. He was pretending to help, but Finn and I both knew what he was up to.

I shook my head. “He’s trying too hard.”

“He’s been trying hard since middle school. The only difference now is he no longer wears his Hollister cologne.” We both laughed.

I’ve known Finn my entire life. We grew up on the same street. Rode our bikes to school every day together. He taught me how to water ski, and I would let him copy my math homework.

When our family’s construction business took off, we moved closer to the lake in an upscale neighborhood.

My dad built my mom a bigger house in a quiet cul-de-sac.

He’d come over for sleepovers in high school.

We would sneak out of the basement window once my folks went to bed.

Together we were trouble, but he was one of those friends you could trust with your life.

He was also married to Harlow’s best friend, which made things complicated, and that was putting it mildly.He looked over where the girls were laughing a little loudly.

“You going to be nice tonight?” I asked, bumping his shoulder.

“My wife threatened me if I wasn’t, so I’ll try my best.”

I laughed, but to be fair, he was there when everything blew up. He saw the worst of it, so I cut him some slack.

I laid my hand along the back of the seat. “Just be cordial, it shouldn’t be that hard. If I can do it, so can you.”

He tilted his head. “I am cordial.”

“No, you look like you would rather eat nails than talk to her.”

“I’m just in a sour mood.” He grabbed a beer out of the bucket. “One of my guys quit, so I think I hit my limit today on how many hours my old ass can handle shoveling dirt and hauling trees around.”

“You’re only thirty,” I pointed out.

“I feel ancient,” he grumbled. “You wait. Two more months and you can join me in the thirty-and-older club.”

“I’ll be fine.”

He squinted his eyes. “I don’t know, dude, I saw the way you were stretching your back when you walked in.”

I wanted to deny it, but the truth was that I’d been feeling a little off lately.

I was pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my back while tearing up the warped floorboards of Harlow’s house.

We stopped by earlier today to meet with the plumber.

I wanted to make sure they pumped all the water out.

I only intended to drop off a few dehumidifiers, but I ended up doing a little more physical labor than I planned on.

My back was sore, and I noticed my knees weren’t bouncing back like they used to.

Working in construction my entire life has caused a lot of wear and tear on my body.

Thankfully, with my new role in the company, I would be spending more time in the office and less time hauling around heavy lumber.

I leaned over and tapped Harlow on the shoulder. “What do you want to drink?”

She paused her conversation with Molly. “I’ll have a vodka with club soda, please.”

Finn and I climbed out of the booth and went to the packed bar to get our girls their drinks. As soon as we were alone, he started in.

“What’s going on with you and Harlow?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb.”

I pulled my wallet out and handed the bartender some cash. “I’m only playing the part of the attentive fiancé.”

Finn and Molly were the only ones besides my brothers who knew it was fake, but they still didn’t know the whole truth.

He leaned forward. “It looks like more than just an act to me.”

“Maybe I’m really good at playing my part.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re more worked up than usual. You’re supposed to be having fun instead of glaring at every guy who looks her way.”

My head was starting to hurt. “I am having fun, and I’m not glaring.”

He laughed and held his hands up. “Okay, sure, and I’m Lebron James.”

I leaned my elbow on the bar and glanced over to check on the girls. “It’s all an act. Don’t read too much into it.”

Have I been tempted to touch her? Hell, yes. But I’ve reminded myself daily that this was nothing more than an arrangement, even though a growing part of me wished it were real.

“You’re a terrible liar. And let’s talk about that ring on her finger. That doesn’t look fake to me.”

I shifted uncomfortably. The weight of his stare was making it hard to stand still. “Good, then we’re doing a fine job of convincing people it’s real.”

“You are such a moron sometimes. You’re fake-engaged to Harlow Bennett, of all people. That ring is not just for show.”

“She picked it out.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You took her ring shopping and let her pick out her ring?”

I grabbed the drinks off the bar. “Yeah, what’s the big deal?”

He rubbed his jaw. “Are you serious? You’re walking around town with her on your arm, pretending to be head over heels in love with a girl you claim to hate, all so she can get her house. What’s in this for you?”

I looked around the bar, making sure no one else was listening. “I have my reasons. Trust me, okay?”

Finn raised an eyebrow. “Does this have anything to do with the investment banker you’re talking with?”

Finn knew that I was looking to expand my business and invest in some new equipment so I could compete on bigger jobs.

I didn’t even deny it. We both knew how the game was played.

I’d put too much work into bringing Dawson Construction to the next level.

I would not let something as stupid as my relationship status get in the way.

My hand tightened around Harlow’s drink. “I need the deal locked in.”

He whistled. “Wow. I get it, man, I do, but it feels like you're playing with fire. I’m worried this whole thing will blow up in your face.”

I ignored his piece of advice. I spent the last ten years busting my ass and proving to my dad that I could take over for him.

Tuck didn’t want anything to do with construction and was happy being the town hero.

Hayes was too young and lacked experience.

So, that left me. If marrying Harlow gave the investor the picture he wanted to see, I would play along and secure the deal.

I started pushing away from the bar. “I’m not an idiot. I know what I’m walking into.”

He pulled on my elbow, stopping me. “I know you’re trying to do what’s best for the business. I don’t want you to get too comfortable. Tread carefully. Things could get even messier than they are now. If things go south, your business will not be the only one to suffer.”

I sighed while balancing the drinks in my hand. “This isn’t solely about the investors. Marty isn’t doing so great.”

His eyes squinted. “How bad?”

I lowered my voice while trying to keep it loud enough for him to hear me over the noise. “The doctors said he has a year, if he’s lucky. He’s always loved Harlow and thought she was the one for me. I want to give him something to look forward to.”

Finn clucked his tongue. “Damn, that’s heavy, dude.”

I nodded. “It is.”

He stared at me for a minute. “I had no idea Marty was that bad. I respect what you’re trying to do, but please be careful. This isn’t just about Marty and the investor.”

I patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks for your wisdom, brother. I know what I’m doing.”

I started to walk back to the table when he pulled on my arm again. “So what happens when this is all over? When the investors are happy and Marty is well, you know…”

I didn’t give him an answer because I didn’t have one.