Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
I shoot Alec a hard look. It’s one thing to step in and be the hero, but I don’t want him to alienate my client. “That was someone else,” I say.
Justin’s jaw goes tight, but he forces a smile. “Well, thanks for the training,” he says awkwardly. He gives Alec a curt nod before striding past us to the locker room.
I close my eyes for a beat. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend to be my boyfriend. Put Justin in his place. All of it.”
Alec searches my face. “Maybe it was just wishful thinking.”
I stiffen and step away. “Alec . . .”
“Sorry.”
My stomach flip-flops and my heart tumbles awkwardly. It’s not like I don’t like the idea of Alec being more than a friend to me. This man is amazing, and the concept holds a lot of appeal. But the day I showed up on his doorstep and realized Oliver was his brother, I had to stop my relationship with Alec dead in its tracks. That was two and a half years ago. Ever since, we’ve been friends—a civilized alternative to being lovers or maybe even more, but one that leaves me empty.
I grab a spray bottle and wipe down Justin’s equipment, aware of Alec’s eyes on me. I’m too much of a coward to face him. Every time I see him, I panic that Oliver has told him the truth about me. About us. About the past.
I swallow hard, hoping to push my heart out of my throat and back where it belongs. “What brings you to The Orchid today?”
“Actually, I need to ask you a favor.”
“What’s that?” Alec’s richer than God, so he’s certainly not here to ask for money, and it’s not like I have any decent business advice to shell out. Not that he’d need it. Alec and Marston’s consulting firm is incredibly successful.
“I think we can help each other. I heard you need a temporary fiancé for a meeting with The Rage CEO?”
“Brinley told you, didn’t she?” Tipping my head back, I sigh. “She means well, but I’m sorry she dragged you into this. I made the mess, and I’ll clean it up.”
“Why not let me help? And in exchange, you could help me?”
“How?”
“My sister is getting married.”
I grin. I’ve never met Alec’s sister, but the night we met in Vegas, he sang her praises. “That’s incredible. Pass on my congrats.”
“Of course.” He pauses a beat then clears his throat. “The problem is, she’s decided on a destination wedding. Mother’s a maniac with stuff like this, and Rose doesn’t want a huge ordeal. So she’s getting married in Orchid Valley to limit the guest list.”
“If she’s looking at The Orchid for her venue, you’re talking to the wrong girl. You need to hit up Brinley.”
“Already done,” he says. “Wedding’s in two weeks, and she’ll be here tomorrow to iron out the details.”
I toss my towel into the dirty bin and tuck the spray bottle back under the counter where it belongs. “Sounds like you don’t need me at all.”
He grimaces. “That’s just it. My mother is coming as well, and she’s planning to meet my girlfriend while she’s here.”
I freeze. “Oh.” I’m not allowed to be jealous of the women Alec dates. That’s not fair to anyone—not when I’m the one who insisted we couldn’t have a relationship. Not when I’m the one who doesn’t deserve him. But that doesn’t help with the ache in my chest at the thought of him with someone other than me. And worse, a local? I swallow back my nausea at the thought of seeing them around town together.
“Do I know her? I didn’t realize you were dating anyone.”
Alec closes his eyes and sighs heavily. “I’m not. My mother has been trying to set me up with her best friend’s daughter for years. Recently, Portentia ended a long-term relationship, so Mom’s returned to her regular schemes and pushing the issue.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I may have lied to get her off my back. Since Marston lives here, it was believable enough that I’d have met someone special in Orchid Valley. The family’s all coming down to plan for the wedding, though, and I’m afraid they’ll discover my lie.”
His whole family? Oliver too? My head spins and I white-knuckle the counter. “Why would you lie to them? Why not just tell them you’re not interested in this girl?”
“You don’t understand. It’s not that simple in my family.” He shakes his head like it’s not worth explaining. “Mistake or not, I have to think about how this plays out. If I admit that I lied, then suddenly my mom’s going to insist that Portentia come to the wedding.”
“And you don’t like this Portentia?”
“She’s a nice girl,” he says, but something about the way he cuts his gaze away makes me think he doesn’t actually believe that. “I’ve done my best to keep her feelings in mind through all this, but I also have to consider my little sister. Coming clean now will put the focus on me when it’s supposed to be Rose’s time.”