Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
There was almost a question behind it, but more so, understanding.
I raked my free hand over my face to break up the discomfort. “She would never approve of this sham. She’d try to talk me out of it. Tell me I’m only going to make things worse. I think it’s best if she believes this is real. Otherwise, she’s going to worry more.”
“She’s going to be heartbroken when she finds out it’s not.”
“No doubt about that.”
“She’s amazing.” Tessa’s voice was wonder. “She loves you so much.”
“She is amazing. She’s always been my rock. The one who was there, no matter what.”
“Unconditional,” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“My mom was like that, too, before she passed.”
My chest squeezed, and I rubbed my thumb over the back of her hand, feeling the slow swell of sadness ripple across her flesh. “How long has it been?”
“I was fifteen. My brother is four years older than me. He stepped up and took care of me when he was barely more than a kid himself.”
“And now you’re taking care of him.”
Her smile was frail. “I’m not doing a very good job of it.”
“Not true, Tessa. Most people would never go the lengths you have.”
“I just wish I could do it myself, but I seriously doubt my teacher’s salary or the small amount I’m making as the foundation director is ever going to cut it.” She choked out a little self-deprecating laugh.
“We’ll figure it out,” I promised.
The two of us sat there with our fingers threaded like it was the most natural thing in the world while the sun continued to sink behind the mountains.
Rays sparked behind the skyline, striking the wisps of clouds in oranges and purples and fiery reds. Twilight cast the air in that grayed vapor you could almost reach out and touch.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Tessa whispered into the duskiness. “A girl could get used to this.”
Playfulness kissed her mouth as she smiled over at me.
My chest fisted at the sight, lust curling in my gut.
“It’s yours as long as you want it. But if it becomes too much? If it gets to be too much pressure or gets in the way of you finding your joy, you tell me, Tessa. I won’t be the bastard to hold you back.”
My hand that was twined with hers was suddenly tight against her chest, and Tessa shifted, pulling up a leg so she could face me. “I’m here for you, Milo. It’s what friends do, remember?”
“I doubt many friends ask something like this.”
“Oh, you should see the things Eden comes up with. She’s really pushing it, if you ask me.” The razzing played all over her face, her gaze knowing, kind and genuine.
A chuckle got free before my nerves were making a rebound.
Every cell in my body locked up tight as I shifted so I was facing her, too. It brought us knee-to-knee and breath-to-breath.
Just a fool who was letting my palm slip to the sharp curve of her jaw, my thumb running along her cheek.
Heat burned at the connection.
“Thank you.” My words were rough.
“It’s my honor, Milo.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I pressed. I had to offer her one last out. I was quickly realizing this was going to be more difficult than I’d imagined.
“Positive.”
Pulling my hand from her face, I gave her a tight nod. “Have somethin’ for you, then.”
Rosebud lips parted, and interest flared in her eyes. “Oh, what is it?”
I shouldn’t have been making it such a thing, but I was having a hard time keeping myself from feeling like this marked something.
An oath.
A pact.
Or maybe it was this affection that grew and grew. This emotion I needed to kill before it became a threat.
Still, I dug into my pocket and pulled out the antique ring, and shit, Tessa gasped a giddy, shocked squeal before she bit down on her bottom lip like she wished she could annul the sound.
She giggled nervously then, peeking between my face and the ring that I held up like a promise.
“Is this necessary?” she rushed like a secret.
“Think it is if we’re going to convince anyone we’re actually getting married.”
“Oh…um…right…of course.”
I took her left hand that was shaking like mad.
“Will you be my fake fiancée, Tessa McDaniels?” I fought for a tease, but the words were thick and choppy.
“Only if you buy me the Manolos, Milo Hendricks.”
I would have laughed, but her smile was wistful, and I was getting hooked on the expression on her face, the way those blue eyes got a little too misty, and her mouth tweaked at the side.
She lifted the ring. “This is like…crazy gorgeous, Milo.”
“I saw it in the window of Reid & Co. Instantly thought of you.”
Surprise pinched her brow when she realized where it came from. “Oh, God, are you serious?”
I gave a slight shrug, like it wasn’t a big deal.