Michael closed the distance between them and slung an arm over Carly’s shoulder before pressing a kiss to her temple. She ignored the way heat shot through her at the casual contact, and forced herself to focus on the job instead of remembering the last time his lips had touched hers. His voice rolled over her, the words sounding so natural she almost believed them herself. “Oh no, we are definitely together. We just try to keep things professional when we go out on a job. You must be very perceptive to pick up on our relationship.”
Sequoia visibly relaxed and looked pleased with his reply, scrawling her signature on the agreement as she spoke. “I guess when you’re in love, you can see it in others as well. I want to surround our union with love and light, and I think it’s important that the dessert that represents our marriage is baked with love, not infused with negative emotions or loneliness.”
“Oh, sure. I think you’re absolutely right.” Michael was close enough that Carly could feel his warm breath against her cheek, and an unwelcome shiver skipped down her spine. What were they getting themselves into?
Sequoia was well known for her quirky beliefs and her odd proclivities. She’d joined Rusty on tour and had cleared entire rooms when she felt the staff projected negativity. It wasn’t unusual for her to rearrange furniture or nix decorations if she thought a room’s energy flow was off. But pretending to be a couple was a bit much. Carly pasted a pleasant smile on her face and gazed at Michael with adoration while they packed up their samples. As they wound through the crowd, she maintained the ruse, even going so far as to accept a playful pat on her rear without so much as flinching.
Once in the hall, with the door safely closed behind them, Carly put some distance between them and snapped. “What the hell were you thinking?”
To her consternation, he laughed. “I was thinking that we should do whatever it takes to get the job. Why is the thought of pretending to be with me so disgusting?”
“Is everything a joke to you?” He’d acted the same way on Sugar Shock, and it still annoyed her.
“Of course not, but I don’t see the harm in going along with this one little thing if it means we get the job.”
“If we get the job? We don’t work together, Michael.”
“Looks like we do now, cupcake, unless you want to go back in there and tell them they need to find someone else. I don’t know if you noticed, but Sequoia seems to have made up her mind that she needs a couple in love to work on her wedding cakes. Maybe you don’t care about the exposure, but I do. This could lead to major work in the future, and if it means pretending that we’re together, that’s a small price to pay.”
“But it’s lying.” Hearing it out loud made Carly realize how weak her excuse sounded.
“So don’t lie. All you have to do is pretend you don’t cringe at the sight of me, and we’ll be fine. This is one job, and then we can go back to never seeing each other again. It’s not like Sequoia’s going to ask if we want to double date with her and Rusty. Just follow my lead and relax. I’ve got this covered.” His green eyes twinkled with amusement. Once again he was completely at ease while she was up in arms.
She put up her hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll go along with it, but only in front of them. Don’t get any ideas.”
Michael stepped closer, invading her space, reminding her of that one idiotic kiss they’d shared. As he tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear, he murmured, “What makes you think I’d get any ideas?”
“I don’t know. Just don’t.” She walked toward the elevator, leaving him standing alone with that cocky smirk on his face. She hated that he still rattled her. Hated more that her heart raced as his voice wound its way around her like a warm breeze.
Unscripted Love: The Complete Reality TV Romance Collection Page 69
