“So then, what’s the problem?”
“We don’t just need them to like you, we need them to vote for you.” She set the notepad down on her lap. “People like you, but they like Chip, too. He’s already making promises—ones he likely can’t keep, but still.” She rolled her eyes a bit and he wished he wasn’t doing a mental fist pump over the fact that she was rolling her eyes over Chip’s antics. She might have been friends with him back in the day, but there was clearly no love lost there now.
“Besides,” she added. “Chip can be very appealing. He’s…” She shrugged as she looked for the word. “Cute.”
He glared at her, all fist pumping coming to an abrupt halt. “You think that guy is cute?”
She sighed. “This isn’t about what I think—”
That was not the answer he was looking for.
“This is about perception, and he appeals to a certain demographic.” She waved a hand like she was stating the obvious. “He grew up in a low-income neighborhood, was a self-made success story, and he’s good looking with a sort of boyish charm that some people find appealing.”
Do you? He stopped himself from asking just in time.
“You still haven’t explained why I need a girlfriend.”
“You two are split pretty evenly among most of the population, so it’s the bigwigs up in Redhook who you need to sway. They hold the purse strings and local business owners will listen to them.”
He held back a sigh. “A lot of them know me,” he said. “But they had Chip’s father under their thumb.”
She made a face. “And they likely assume that Chip will be another puppet eager to do their bidding, just like his father.”
He was heartened by the fact that she’d figured all that out without him having to badmouth his former boss…or her former crush.
“This is why you need a girlfriend,” she said. “We need the Redhook people to love you and while you have their goodwill, there are some who worry because you’re not committed.”
His face must have conveyed his confusion. “But—”
“Yeah, I know,” she said with another roll of her eyes. “It’s lame and old-fashioned. Chip might be divorced, but he’s taken those life steps that the old fogies on the hill think are so meaningful.” She listed them on her fingers. “He’s bought a house, gotten the law degree, had the whole white picket fence scenario going on…”
Her tone had him studying her. “You don’t sound impressed yourself.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think what you own or who you date are any great indicators of who you are as a person. And taking one’s time to find the right partner should, in my opinion, be a sign of responsibility, not inability to commit.”
He watched her as she took a deep breath and wondered for the millionth time how it was that she was single.
Was that it? Was she just waiting for the right man?
Her gaze met his evenly, all business, forcing him to focus as well. “But that’s just my opinion, and my opinion isn’t what counts.”
“Isn’t it?” He murmured it under his breath and either she didn’t hear or she ignored it.
“What counts is what the people of Redhook think.”
He arched his brows. “And they think I can’t commit?”
She threw her hands up with a shrug. “They seem to think you haven’t committed—to a person, at least—and therefore, in their minds, you’re not fully committed to this town.”
“That’s stupid.”
She shrugged again. “That’s perception.”
“So you want me to…what? Just go out and find a girlfriend?”
She gave a little snort of amusement. “Like that’s so hard?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her expression changed, the amusement gone and replaced by something more distant and businesslike. “Nothing. Forget it.”
“No, I want to know.” Before she could protest, he added. “I’d like to know your perception of me.”
His tone had held a note of challenge that he’d suspected she wouldn’t be able to ignore.
Sure enough, she huffed in annoyance. “Fine. My perception is that you’re a serial monogamist. You were in high school and from what I hear around town…you still are.”
Oh. Well. He supposed there was some truth in that, but it wasn’t the whole truth. “I wasn’t always.”
She shifted so she was facing him, curiosity lighting up her dark eyes.
Oh man, he hadn’t meant to bring up his past.
“You’re telling me you’ve dated someone for more than three months? Because according to town gossip, that’s your limit.” She did a funny neck-slicing move like he killed the relationship dead the moment it hit three months.
“My longest relationship was two years,” he said. “In college.”
“Oh.” She shifted. “I guess people around here don’t know about that.”
He stifled a sigh. “Why would I tell them that the one girl I ever actually loved broke up with me when I had to move back here to take care of my parents? It’s not exactly something to brag about.”
Her eyes were so wide, it was like she forgot how to be cynical. “What happened?”
“I proposed, she said no…” He shrugged like it was no big deal. It wasn’t, but it was history. “I came back home and she went off to New York to live the glamorous life of her dreams.”
“New York, huh?” She blinked a few times and her smile was small and sweet. “Unless your girl was an heiress, trust me when I say her first year in New York was definitely not glamorous. She probably had three roommates in a studio apartment filled with cockroaches.”
He grinned because he knew she was trying to make him feel better, which was sweet but unnecessary. “It’s fine. I got over Shelley a long time ago.”
“Shelley…” she repeated slowly, realization dawning. “Not…Shelley Trumore, the cheerleader.”
Her voice held so much disbelief, he almost felt guilty nodding. “She went to the same college as me. Although I came back here to help out my parents before I could graduate.”
Vanessa’s mouth was hanging open in shock and it was…adorable, really. He had to fight the urge to lean over and kiss those slightly parted lips. The thought filled his mind and it was hard to keep breathing normally.
If she was shocked now, just imagine how surprised she’d be if she knew what he was thinking.
“But Shelley…” She shook her head, clearly looking for words.
“Look, I don’t want to talk about all that if it’s all the same to you.” He watched her eyes flicker with sympathy and instantly felt guilt. It wasn’t like he was still pining away for Shelley. He wasn’t. It had been years since he’d felt that ache for what might have been.
His parents had needed him, and when all was said and done, he’d wanted to be back here. Cyrano was his home, and always would be. It was just unfortunate that Shelley had thought going back to their small hometown would be a letdown. She had high hopes for the future and had chosen that over him. To be fair, he hadn’t had much to offer her… Just his heart.
Nope. Not bitter at all.
“Were your parents okay?” she asked.
He widened his eyes in surprise that that’s what she’d come back to. “Yeah, they were fine. My parents had me when they were older and I was an only child so when my mom got sick, they needed some help.”
Vanessa looked so distraught, he felt compelled to add, “That was years ago. She’s doing much better now.”
His phone dinged and when he read the text, his stomach sank. Was this some sort of sick joke? The timing was too incredible. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.
“What’s wrong?”
He brought his head up and blinked, shoving aside the panic that instantly set in whenever his mother’s health took a turn. “My mother’s in the hospital.”
Again.
“Oh no,” Vanessa said with a gasp. “Is she
all right?”
“My dad says she’ll be fine, but they want me down there. I should go.” He was already in action. Despite his father’s assurance that ‘there was likely nothing to worry about’ the fact was…he was worried. His mother’s health had been dicey ever since she’d gone through heart surgery, which was what had brought him home from college in the first place.
The surgery had led to complications, and one of these days those complications would get the best of her. Not today, though, he prayed. Today there was nothing to worry about. He was reaching for his car keys on her kitchen table when Vanessa stopped him and snatched them out of his hands. “Oh, no you don’t.”
“What?” He was honestly confused by her scowl. Surely she didn’t think he would stay here and talk campaign strategies while his mother was in the hospital.
“There’s no way I’m letting you drive yourself,” she said, slipping a lightweight jacket over her tank top and reaching for keys of her own. “You’re clearly upset, and my car is right outside.”
He might have argued with her, but she was already leading the way out the door, and besides…she still had his keys.
7
Vanessa was smacking the side of the vending machine in the hospital’s waiting room when she heard her name.
“Vanessa?” Addison said. “What are you doing here?”
What was she doing here? She was worrying about a man she had no right to be fussing over, that was what she was doing. She returned her friend’s hug and forced a smile. “Waiting on Trent. He got a text that his mother was taken here while he and I were working.”
Or rather…trying to work.
Did the guy really have to come to her house in his deputy’s uniform? He looked way too good in that thing. Like every cop fantasy come to life. And there she’d been, sporting yoga pants and a tank top and wearing glasses, which evidently were enough to jog his memory about her in high school.
Which was horrifying.
And sweet.
Ugh, it was confusing. She didn’t want anyone remembering her like that—all dorky and awkward. But then again, the fact that he remembered that she made him laugh, and the fact that she’d sat with an outcast once upon a time…
She toyed with the edge of her jacket. That had been a surprise.
“Is his mom okay?” Addison asked, concern making her brow furrow.
“He said she would be fine, but he’s been in there with her since we got here.” She glanced at the clock. An hour ago. It felt like an eternity, and not because the stupid vending machine wouldn’t give her the granola bar she so desperately needed.
Truth be told, she needed more than a granola bar. She needed a meal since she’d skipped lunch. But dinner could wait. “I suppose you’re here to volunteer.”
Addison grinned, like she always did when the conversation turned to her time in the children’s’ ward teaching art classes. “I was, but now I have to head home and change for that benefit dinner.”
“That’s right, I’d forgotten about that,” Vanessa said, but even as she spoke, her tone was distracted. She was distracted. “The dinner…it’s going to have all the snobs from Redhook, right?”
Addison’s brows shot up. “I’d assume so since they’re usually the biggest donors. The ones who’re in town for the summer should be there, at least. Why?”
Vanessa gripped her friend’s shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. “You are a genius.”
“I am?” Addison said with a laugh. “What did I do?”
“You gave me an idea. Also…” She flashed her friend an ingratiating smile. “I’m hoping you’re about to do me a favor.”
A little while later, Addison had left, but she’d promised to bring one of Vanessa’s dresses with her to the benefit dinner tonight at the country club. The benefit she was going to get Vanessa into…if Vanessa could get the good deputy to go with her.
Vanessa might have taken this gig to get under Chip’s skin but she’d never once failed at her job, and this was no different from any other job.
Her belly did a little flip as she thought about the way Trent had smiled at her when he’d thanked her for the ride a little while ago.
Okay, fine. Maybe this was the first time she’d had a crush on one of her clients—a former crush, she reminded herself. And one that had never been wanted. It was more like an affliction, really. And if she’d never taken a sick day for a cold, she definitely couldn’t even consider quitting over a crush-like affliction.
It was harmless and better off ignored. Not only because he’d never be the kind of guy for her, but because she had plans to leave this town and no charming smile would interfere with her plans ever again.
Besides, Trent might not be the guy of her dreams, but he was the right man for this job. Anyone who knew either man would know which one ought to be trusted, and it certainly wasn’t Chip.
When Trent came into the waiting room twenty minutes later she had to stop herself from rushing him. “How is she?”
He gave her a tight smile. “Better, thanks. They’re going to keep her overnight but they believe it was a false alarm.”
“Oh Trent, I’m so happy to hear it.” She hadn’t even realized she’d reached out to him and they both looked down in surprise at her hand on his bicep.
She pulled her hand away quickly like she’d been burnt. She might as well have been; she’d felt the jolt of heat from his body like a live wire. When his eyes met hers they were searching, and darker than their usual bright blue. “You didn’t have to stay,” he said. “I could have gotten a ride.”
She took a step back, unnerved by the low intimacy of his voice. What exactly did he think was happening here? Her heart rate shot up so quickly she was oddly grateful that she was standing in a hospital. The effect he had on her couldn’t possibly be healthy.
“Actually, I did have to stay,” she said, forcing her tone louder to shake this feeling of intimacy that had no place with a client.
And he was just a client. She cleared her throat. “We’re not done working for the day.”
His brows arched. “It’s a Friday night, don’t you think we could take a little time off?” He took a step closer. “Maybe we could grab a bite instead.”
She backpedaled away from him. “Nope. We have somewhere to be.”
“Where?”
“You’ll see.” She started to walk away, ignoring his questions. Something told her at a time like this, less was more.
Still, when they’d pulled into the parking lot of the country club, his face clearly showed his distaste. “The benefit dinner? Really?”
“It’s for a good cause,” she reminded him with her best ingratiating smile.
His own smile was warm but rueful. “I’ve had a long day, Nessa.”
It was a testament to how badly she felt about dragging him here after visiting his mother that she let the old nickname go without correcting him. “I know, and I’m sorry,” she said. “But how many more chances will there be for you to hobnob with this crowd and make a great impression.”
He looked unconvinced. “And how exactly am I going to make a great impression?” He looked down at his deputy’s uniform with a grimace. “I don’t have a suit.”
“No need. The uniform will remind everyone of who you are and what you do for them on a daily basis.” She reached out and tugged his collar. “This right here is basically an advertisement for all the experience that you have and your opponent does not.”
He stared at her for so long, she started to grow uneasy. “What? Is it the glasses?” She fidgeted with them, grateful she’d asked Addison to bring her contacts along with her makeup bag.
“No, it’s not the glasses,” he said, his voice soft and filled with amusement. She watched his chest rise and fall. “Are you going to be okay if we see….” He let out a huff of exasperation. “What I mean is, I assume that Chip will be here tonight as well. If he’s anything like his father he wouldn’t miss it, and—”
“I’m sure he will be,” Vanessa said, interrupting him before he had to spell out his fears. That she’d fall all over herself at the sight of Chip just like she had the last time they’d had a run-in. “But you have nothing to fear. I was just flustered because I hadn’t expected to see him,” she said. And that was the truth. Sort of. She hadn’t been expecting to see him at that exact moment. “It took me by surprise, that’s all. But now that I’ve gotten the first meeting out of the way, I’m good to go.”
She flashed him a brilliant smile, filled with all the confidence she’d so carefully cultivated since leaving this tiny little town.
“He must have hurt you badly to get to you like that.” He reached out and brushed her cheek with his knuckles.
She stopped breathing. For a moment she feared her heart had stopped beating. Her lungs were on fire but she couldn’t breathe normally. Not when he was touching her like that, and definitely not when his voice was that low and tender.
Like he actually cared.
Like it was just the two of them—not just in this car, but in this world.
For one precious moment, she felt cared for and cherished and…
She pulled back so suddenly, his hand dropped away. What was she doing?
So this was it. She finally got it now…why every woman in this town lost her head over Trent Arnolds at one point or another. The man was lethal with his charm.
Steeling herself against it, she leaned away and pushed open the car door. “Come on, Casanova. Save that flirty smile for the rich old cougars from Redhook.”
8
Save that flirty smile…
Had he been flirting? He followed Vanessa into the country club, the sound of live music filtering through the lobby, with its ornate chandelier and hardwood floor. Vanessa stopped just inside the doors and looked around.
He found himself doing the same, though he’d been here countless times over the years.
“So this is what it looks like on the inside,” she murmured.
He glanced over and caught his breath at the rare glimpse of vulnerability. She looked younger than he’d ever seen her. Naïve and wide-eyed, which he knew wasn’t the whole truth. He turned to face her with his brows arched. “Surely you’ve seen more elegant buildings than this during your travels.”
Fake Dating the Hometown Deputy: A Sweet Standalone Romance (Fake Dates Book 2) Page 5
