Pretend You're Mine

by Francisco, Fabiola

  I bring a hand to my chest and say, “I’d never,” mocking him.

  “Yeah, right,” he grumbles and walks away.

  “Where are you going?” My hands fall to the side, slapping my thighs.

  “To talk to my guys so we can work on this, isn’t that what you want?” He lifts his eyebrows, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

  “Yes.” I cross my arms and stay in my place, waiting to hear the verdict. I won’t take no for an answer. I know there has to be a way to remove that beam without having any issues.

  The uneven beat of tools being used fills the house. I check my emails on my phone while I wait for Eli to return.

  As soon as I registered this business, I’ve gotten so many unsolicited emails offering services to help with my website, my social media, marketing, you name it. It crowds my inbox. I see an email confirming a meeting this afternoon with my interior designer and another one notifying me of the new podcast episode from my favorite boss babe, and I save it so I can listen to it when I leave.

  “You’re still here,” Eli enters the kitchen with another guy.

  “Yes,” I lift my brows. “We need to finish discussing this.” I point to the beam, my smile feeling more like a disgusted cringe than genuine happiness.

  “I told you we’d see what we can do.” Eli’s body crowds the opening of the kitchen, his arms across his chest in an attempt to intimidate me. I’ve worked years in hospitality, his superior attitude doesn’t scare me. “Tim and I will assess the situation and remove the beam.”

  “It shouldn’t be a problem,” Tim adds, looking between Eli and me.

  “Okay,” I surrender. “Call me if anything.”

  “We’ll be fine,” Eli clips.

  Rolling my eyes, I walk away, the echo of hammering and sawing filling the house. Just a few more months and I’ll be done with all of this. When we first started, I thought I’d be more present in the renovations, but Eli was quick to dismiss that idea. He made sure I was out of his way, making me feel like a nuisance in my own house, business, whatever.

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  chapter 1

  Axel

  I take a drink of beer as I look around the packed bar, waiting for my brother, Knox, and his fiancée, Ainsley, to arrive. Clarke’s is a staple in Everton, a place where everyone gathers to unwind after a long day of hard labor or to catch up with friends. People are out after hibernating during a long winter, taking advantage of the warmer temperatures June is bringing. It’s amazing how a few warmer days will bring this town back to life. Everton keeps its spirit alive throughout the year, especially with people coming by on the way to and from ski trips with our nearby resort, but once summer rolls around, you realize how much more life it truly has.

  Working on a ranch, I have to be outdoors whether we’re in ten feet of snow or under the burning sun.

  “If it isn’t my former best friend.” I’m interrupted from my thoughts, turning to the familiar voice.

  I find green eyes smiling at me, and my mouth splits into a grin seeing her. “Hey! What are you doing here?” I hug Lia, my best friend, until we went our separate ways for college.

  She pulls back, her auburn hair framing her face. “I moved back.” Her eyes widen, and her lips pinch together as her body tenses with excitement.

  “What? When? You didn’t mention that when you visited for the holidays.” My eyebrows knit together as I gaze into those eyes that have always held me captive. Her light freckles are sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. I didn’t want to jinx it.” She clasps her hands together in front of her chest and gives me her best, please-forgive-me smile.

  I chuckle and run a hand through my short hair. “That’s great. What stole you away from Kentucky?”

  “I missed home,” she shrugs, looking around Clarke’s.

  Lia and I were best friends growing up. When she left to Kentucky for college, I swore we’d keep in touch. And while we did, it wasn’t as much as I would’ve liked. Sure, she’d come home when she could for the holidays, but once she started working, the visits became less frequent. It had been over a year since I had last seen her when she came in December.

  We were always those friends people swore would end up married. Although it’s always been clear an attraction lingers between us, we never crossed that line. Our friendship was far too valuable, and I knew she’d eventually move away.

  But now she’s back…for good.

  “Do you want something to drink?”

  “I’ll grab a beer.” She turns toward the bar, but I place a hand on her shoulder.

  “I got it. We need to toast your return,” I wink and lift my bottle toward Adam, the bartender, and hold up two fingers.

  I grab the beers and hand one to Lia. “You didn’t have to get it.” She gives me a pointed look.

  “You can get the next round,” I appease.

  “Cheers,” she beats me to it and taps her bottle to mine, a twinkle in her eyes.

  “Cheers,” I reply, surprised she remembered the tradition in my family. Ever since we were younger, my parents would always toast with Knox and me before taking a drink, no matter what filled our cup.

  “When did you get back?” I cross my arm under the one holding my drink and lean against the bar.

  “A week ago. I’ve been settling in. Nothing like moving back in with your parents at thirty-two.” She shakes her head, her eyes rolling in amusement.

  “It’s normal. You just returned from living somewhere else. I’m sure you’ll find your own place soon.”

  “Hope so,” she nods and takes a sip. I watch her lips on the bottle and hold back a groan. Lia lifts a knowing eyebrow, and I shrug unapologetically. I won’t deny I’ve always been attracted to her, but our friendship means too much to me.

  “How’s the ranch?” She ignores my lingering eyes.

  “It’s good. Summer is always better to work in. I prefer training horses outdoors, too, so it’ll be nice to break away from the constraints of the indoor arena.” I stand taller, taking a drink of beer. I love what I do, and I couldn’t imagine myself working anywhere else.

  “How’s that going?” She tilts her head as she brushes her hair behind her ear, away from her face.

  “It’s great. My business is growing, and I’m getting people from Montana coming down to work with me.” I started training horses a couple years ago, working with locals and word of mouth expanded it to the point that a year ago I opened an official business.

  “I’m glad. I always knew you were the horse whisperer,” she teases with a wink.

  I chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re going to work with your dad?”

  “Yeah, it would be nice to give him a break.” Lia’s dad is one of the veterinarians in town. My family has been working with him for years. Lia followed her dad’s footsteps when it came to her career, but she wanted to work in Kentucky and do her own thing, which I respect.

  “Heyyy…” I turn to see Ainsley and Knox standing behind me, Ainsley with a shit-eating grin as her greeting draws out.

  “Hey, this is Lia,” I introduce her to Ainsley. “We grew up together. Lia, this is Ainsley, Knox’s fiancée.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Ainsley smiles as she looks between us with curiosity.

  “You, too,” Lia says. “Hey, Knox. I heard you had moved back. How are you?”

  “Good. Great actually.” He wraps an arm around Ainsley’s waist.

  Lia smiles, looking between the two of them. “I also heard you’re engaged. Congrats!”

  “Thanks. News travels way too fast around here,” Knox chuckles, shaking his head.

  “Especially when you’re a huge country artist with some drama under your belt,” Lia smiles, patting his shoulder. Only she can tell the ugly truth and not offend someone.

  “Don’t remind me,” Knox shakes his head. “Are you visiting?”

  “I actually just moved back. I was tel
ling Axel I’m working with my dad at the clinic.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  “It is,” Lia looks at me and bumps her shoulder with mine. “I’ll have to keep this guy in check.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter.” I give her a pointed look before my lips curl into a slow smile. “But if you want to get into a little bit of trouble, stick with me.”

  Lia throws her head back as she laughs. “No,” she shakes her head. “I’m not breaking into any more private property.”

  “That was one time,” I hold my pointer finger up. “And I didn’t know they’d have a psycho dog.”

  Lia scrunches her eyebrows and shakes her head. “Scariest day of my life.”

  “Did you two date?” Ainsley looks between us with raised eyebrows.

  “No, we were best friends,” Lia responds before I can.

  “Oh.” Ainsley shrugs. “Sorry.”

  “No worries.” Lia looks out at the crowd. “I should go say hi to them. They’ve been waving me over for five minutes. See you later,” she squeezes my bicep, and I nod. Smiling at Knox and Ainsley, she walks away toward a small group of women we went to school with.

  “You still have a hard-on for her, huh?” I’m met with Knox’s cocky smile.

  “Shut it,” I run a hand through my hair and glance one more time at Lia before turning my attention to them.

  “So, there is something between you. I knew it!” Ainsley squeals, clapping her hands.

  “Nah,” I shake my head to emphasize my lie.

  “What do you want to drink?” Knox kisses Ainsley’s forehead, and she looks up at him with stars in her eyes.

  “Beer would be great, thanks.”

  My brother couldn’t have ended up with someone better than Ainsley, especially after all the bullshit he went through in his personal life and career.

  “Tell me, you and Lia?” Ainsley whispers conspiratorially when Knox turns toward the bar.

  “Don’t start playing matchmaker,” I warn, pointing a finger at her.

  “She’s pretty.” Ainsley looks around the bar, no doubt trying to get a look at Lia without being obvious, completely ignoring my warning.

  “She’s beautiful.” My eyes land on Lia, her long, auburn hair falling in waves down her shoulders and those greens eyes twinkling under the lights as she catches up with old friends.

  “Then, what’s the problem?” Ainsley’s question is laced with exasperation.

  I look back at Ainsley, dropping the empty beer bottle on the table next to me and placing my hands in my back pockets.

  “We’ve never crossed the line of friendship, and I feel like, after years of being apart, I might get my best friend back.” I chuckle when Ainsley’s eyebrows furrow into a wiggly line. “Don’t look at me that way.” I shove her shoulder lightly. “We’ll see. If she’s back for good, then I have time to make my move.”

  “I don’t know. It seems like a few of the guys are beating you to it.”

  My head snaps in Lia’s direction, and I see a guy talking to her. I narrow my eyes but relax when I realize it’s just Eli, my brother’s best friend.

  “I’m not worried.”

  “Eli’s the biggest flirt in town,” Ainsley pushes me.

  I shake my head. “He knows she’s off-limits.”

  She pats my shoulder with a know-it-all grin and grabs the beer from Knox when he returns. “Don’t you think Axel should tell Lia how he feels?” she asks my brother, disregarding my presence.

  “He hasn’t grown the balls yet. It might take another thirty years for him to make a move,” Knox laughs.

  “You’re an ass.” I walk to the bar and order another beer, ignoring their jabs.

  As soon as I met Lia in preschool when I was three, she became my friend. We were inseparable growing up, but the older I got, the more I felt something for her. High school was hell, watching her go to dances with other guys, but I didn’t want to ruin what we had, and she never told me how she felt. I guess we both valued our friendship more than anything.

  “This one’s on me.” A soft voice rings around me.

  I look to my right and smile. “Nope.” I shake my head and pay for two beers before she can reach into her purse.

  “Axel Bentley,” she crosses her arms. “A deal’s a deal.”

  “How about when you get your own place, you have me over for a drink to celebrate?” I negotiate.

  “Deal,” she reaches her arm out. I shake her hand with a crooked grin.

  “No changing the terms after we shake on it.” She lifts a brow.

  I make an X over my chest. “Cross my heart.”

  Her face lights up, and she taps her bottle to mine before turning her back to the bar and facing the crowd. “I love this place,” she sighs.

  “Welcome home.” I put my arm around her shoulder and tug her to me.

  Continue reading Roping Your Heart

  First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to read Pretend You’re Mine. The town of Everton and its people have become like family, fictional and all, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. I loved everything about Harris and Poppy’s story, and I am so happy to finally be able to share it with you. Without you, the reader, there would be no purpose for me to share my words. You make this possible. Thank you!

  To the team of people who work nonstop to help me make each release the best if can be—Claire and Wendy from Bare Naked Words, Amy from Q Designs, Joy and Ally from Happily Ever Insta, Bex from Editing Ninja, and Cary for the beautiful formatting. Thank you ladies for being a part of this book. Your patience, feedback, and support mean the world to me.

  Christy and Rachel, you are my girls. You’ve been there from the beginning, and I wouldn’t be here without your support. #soapythighsforlife

  Brittany and Cary, thank you for the chats, the support, and being a part of my tribe.

  Veronica and Miriam, you’ve been there from the beginning, and that means the world to me.

  Ally, you are the best ever. I’m so blessed to have you. You keep me sane and accept all my weirdness—dead pet hamster and all LOL. Axel will always be yours.

  Joy, you’re my boo. I’m going to thank you in each book, like it or not. You always have my back, and I am so grateful for it.

  Savannah, your knowledge and wisdom have been a gift, and your support and confidence mean so much. Thank you for the guidance and chats.

  Fabiola’s Fab Reads, you’re the best group a girl could ask for. Thank you for being a part of my writing career and sharing everything from your fave reads to your life updates. We’re a community.

  To all the bloggers, authors, and bookstagrammers that have shared my work and supported me, thank you. I see each and everyone of you. It takes a village, and you are all a part of mine.

  Fabiola Francisco loves the simplicity—and kick—of scotch on the rocks. She follows Hemingway’s philosophy—write drunk, edit sober. She writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance, dipping her pen into new adult and young adult. Her moods guide her writing, taking her anywhere from sassy and sexy romances to dark and emotion-filled love stories.

  Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. She still stays true to her first love, poems, while weaving longer stories with strong heroines and honest heroes. She aims to get readers thinking about life and love while experiencing her characters’ journeys.

  She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. Her other loves are country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

  …

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