by Anders Grey
“Me?”
I scratched the back of my head. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help hearing your whole conversation. You seemed to get pretty upset at the mention of this Kyle guy.”
Rowan winced, and I knew I’d hit the nail on the head. Whoever Kyle was, Rowan clearly wanted nothing to do with him, and apparently his mother wasn’t aware of that fact. Maybe he was a bad ex or something. If that was the case, I could relate.
Ugh, do not think about him right now.
That familiar, ugly feeling stirred in my belly. I shook off that train of thought before it took me to a dark place I didn’t want to go and focused my attention back on Rowan.
I leaned against the counter. “So, you made up a lie about having a boyfriend named Alec,” I said, putting all the pieces together. “You don’t actually have a boyfriend. Is that right?”
Rowan shyly averted his eyes. “Yeah. It being your name was a total accident. I didn’t know.”
“I believe you. You graced me with your name, but I never gave you mine, after all.” I grinned. “So what are you going to do?”
Rowan’s gaze flickered to me, roaming up and down, trying to suss out my intent. “About?”
“The wedding getaway. You’re supposed to show up with an Alec, right?”
Those blue eyes narrowed, making Rowan look like an alley cat deciding if he wanted to scratch me up or not. “Right.”
I smiled. “Come on, I’m throwing you a bone here.”
“I’m afraid I don’t see the bone.”
He was a little sassy—just how I liked my cute strangers. “What if I go with you?”
Rowan stared at me then burst out into a brief peal of laughter. Despite the fact that he was laughing in my face, it still made me smile. I barely knew him, but something about his raw joy—even at my expense—was charming. Contagious.
“Well?” I prompted.
“Oh.” Rowan’s mouth went tight. “Oh. You’re serious.” He let out another laugh, this one more awkward. “No, no, that’s okay. I’ll think of something. I’ll tell her Fake Alec dumped me the day before the getaway. Or maybe I just won’t go. Yeah, that’s sounding like a good option right about now.”
“Don’t you care about your cousin?”
“Of course I do.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You’re being awfully casual with a stranger, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. “I’m an extrovert.”
“That explains it,” he mumbled like I had some kind of disease. “Well, if you couldn’t already tell, I’m an introvert, so this week-long getaway sounds like hell, if I’m being honest.”
“All the more reason to bring someone along who can make convenient excuses for you.” I shot him a charming smile. “It doesn’t have to be me. I’m sure you can find another Alec to pretend to be your boyfriend for a week.”
Rowan stared at me. “You’re really serious, aren’t you? Like, you’re not joking?”
“This getaway includes a trip to the Botanical Gardens, right?” I asked. “The huge one outside town?”
He nodded, then something seemed to click in his mind. “You were looking for the Rosecreek Gardens before, right? I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you’d be even more interested in the bigger, better one. Is that why you want to come?”
I tapped the camera pouch at my side. “Why settle why I can have the best?”
Rowan bit his lip. “Okay. Say, hypothetically, that I agree. What’s in it for you?”
A chance to get to know the hottie in front of me.
“Access to thousands of delicately-manicured flower species I wouldn’t get to see otherwise and an all-expenses paid wedding getaway?” I offered with a grin. “Seriously though, it would be a great opportunity for the magazine, especially with the macro portrait feature coming up next month.”
“Magazine?”
I pulled out my wallet and offered him a crisp business card. Rowan’s eyes widened. “Oh, wow. You work for Nature Galaxy magazine?” He choked. “Holy shit. You’re the Alec Walker?”
“That’d be me,” I said with a chuckle. “Normally I don’t get such an excited reaction out of people.”
His expression changed to one of awe and joy, like he was talking with a celebrity. “Are you kidding? It’s the best nature magazine in circulation. I’ve only been a subscriber for the past four years!”
“Wow,” I said, genuinely surprised and a little embarrassed at his praise. “Well, thank you. I’m happy to hear that.”
“Oh my God.” He groaned. “Now I feel really stupid. I’m sorry if I was rude earlier.”
“Not at all. I like a man with a little snark.”
Rowan blushed. As much as I wanted to stare and take him in, I cleared my throat and went on.
“So, back to the matter at hand,” I said. “Are you still looking for a fake boyfriend named Alec?”
“Oh, right. That. Yeah, I guess I am.” He glanced at me with cautious optimism. “Are you still offering?”
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss it.”
The beaming smile on Rowan’s face made my chest tighten in a pleasant way, and immediately I knew I’d made the right decision. I thanked my luck that I’d stumbled right into this situation. Not only would I have a free trip to the Botanical Gardens to get my work done, but I’d be spending it with a guy who was exactly my type. Not to mention the fact that I'd have the chance to put another smile on his handsome face.
I held out my hand. “All right, Rowan, whose last name I don’t know—”
“Grady.”
“Rowan Grady,” I said, liking the sound of it on my tongue. “I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend on this wedding trip.”
Rowan smiled. He looked even more handsome when he was smiling. He extended his hand and we shook on it. His grip was firmer than I expected, and his skin was soft despite working with his hands all day.
“It’s a deal,” he said. After our handshake ended, he let out a relieved sigh. “Okay, I know we just made a pact to lie together for a week, but I have to be honest. I’m really glad you’re not a serial killer or something, because for a while you were kind of pegging my creep-factor.”
I barked out a laugh. “Do you think every outgoing person who wants to have a conversation with you is a serial killer?”
“Maybe.”
We were both obviously teasing, but a flicker of apprehension crossed Rowan’s face. He shook his head and pulled out his phone. “Let’s swap contact info. We’re gonna need it.”
“Maybe we should meet up beforehand and get our story straight,” I suggested.
He nodded. “Uh, how’s your coffee schedule look?”
“What a strange way to ask if I’m free,” I remarked with a grin.
He let out a huff, the blush creeping over his cheeks again. “I don’t do this sort of thing very often. Going on pseudo-dates with strangers, I mean.”
“This is a date?” I teased.
He blushed harder. “Pseudo. Fake. Not real. Like this relationship we’re making up.”
“I know, I’m just pulling your leg. I’m free whenever you are. I’m in town for work, but I make my own hours, and you’ve just disrupted my plans.”
“Sorry.” He fidgeted nervously with the edge of a leaf. “Um, how about tomorrow?”
I was already excited at the idea of seeing him again so soon. “Tomorrow is perfect.”
“Great. I’ll, uh, text you the time and place.”
I figured it was time to take my leave, but strangely, I didn’t want to exit the shop. I wanted to stay here with Rowan. But there would be plenty of time for that during the wedding getaway—a whole week for just the two of us. Plus his family, I supposed, but he was the main attraction. Maybe even more so than the Gardens.
I wanted to know what was behind those stormy blue eyes and that wary expression. I wanted to know why he was so upset about this Kyle guy.
And most of all, I wanted to know why Rowan Grady pulled me in.
Guess I have seven days and nights to find out.
3
Rowan
I was early. Way too early. But I couldn’t stop myself from arriving a whole—I checked my phone and grimaced—half an hour before our scheduled meeting. It never hurt to be on time, and especially so when I was out of my mind with anxiety.
Was I making a big deal out of nothing like I usually did? Maybe, but my nerves hadn’t stop fraying since I agreed to this insane plan with Alec.
I took a seat outside on the café patio to make myself easier to spot. I rubbed my sweaty palms over my knees and prayed they’d stop being clammy before he showed up in case he wanted to shake hands again.
This is ridiculous. How did I ever agree to this? What the hell was I thinking?
Yesterday felt like a fever dream. I spent all night running the memories back until they were as jumbled as an old VHS tape. Nothing like this happened to me. Ever. Hot strangers who turned out to be mild celebrities didn’t just show up in my life, and they definitely didn’t agree to be my fake boyfriend.
I pinched myself, but once again, I didn’t wake up. I sighed and came to terms with the fact that this was all very real.
The temptation to politely turn down Alec’s kind offer and back out now before things got even messier was real, but I was dragged back to reality as a voice like bells cut through my thoughts.
“Rowan!”
Alec arrived wearing a dark T-shirt and pale jeans that complimented his body perfectly. I barely stopped myself from letting my eyes roam over him before I snapped back.
“Alec,” I said. “You’re early.”
He grinned as he took the seat opposite me. “Not as early as you, I see. Usually I’m the one who shows up first. Are you trying to fire up my competitive side?”
“Not at all,” I said with a huffed laugh. “I’m always early when I’m nervous.”
Damnit. I hadn’t meant to blurt that out. Alec didn’t need to know that I was less cool than he might have thought.
“Why nervous?” Alec smiled. It was a bright and honest smile, like one he’d give a friend he’d known his whole life—except we only met yesterday.
I rubbed my palms on my knees. “I, uh, don’t usually go out with people I barely know.”
“That’s the point of this little date, isn’t it? To get to know each other better.”
I got flustered at the word date again. I cleared my throat softly.
“Thanks for meeting me, by the way,” I said. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“Oh, but I did. It won’t be convincing otherwise.” He grinned. He seemed to be having fun already. “Let’s start with the basics. What’s your usual drink?” Before I could reply, he said, “Wait, let me guess. Hm…”
He narrowed his eyes, gazing at me like I was the most interesting person in the world. I blushed under his intent stare. How long was he going to watch me like that? It didn’t make me uncomfortable, but I wasn’t used to being the center of attention. I really hoped he didn’t notice the pink in my cheeks.
“You take your coffee black,” Alec finally decided.
I snorted. “Nice try, but hell no. Double cream and sugar.”
“Really? Damn.”
“What about me strikes you as a black coffee type?” I asked.
Tilting his head, Alec examined me. “You have a mysterious, no-nonsense aura.”
I didn’t see myself that way at all, so it surprised me that Alec said that. I leaned on the table and asked, “What about you?”
Alec’s lip quirked. “Take a stab at it.”
I took the opportunity to stare at him the same way he’d done to me. To say he was smoking hot was an understatement. He had a handsome ruggedness about him that I didn’t see often in real life and was more attractive than any models on paper or a screen. His hair was sun-bleached in streaks, and his tanned skin glowed, owing to all the time he must have spent outside. His jaw was peppered with few-day-old stubble that I wanted to reach out and touch.
What the hell, Rowan? Settle down.
“Well?” Alec prompted. “What kind of a coffee drinker do you take me for?”
“Uh.” I realized I’d spent the entire time thinking about how hot he was and not actually thinking about the question. “Cappuccino?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I’ll admit it was a trick question. I’m more of a tea kind of guy.”
Energetic, get-up-and-go Alec would rather take a cup of tea than a nice hot shot of coffee?
“What?” Alec asked, and I realized I’d raised a brow. He grinned at me then quickly put in his order with the waitress, including my own cream-and-sugar coffee.
“You didn’t strike me as someone who prefers tea,” I said.
“I haven’t had coffee in years. Makes me too jittery. Actually, that’s a lie. I did have one the time that I had to pull an all-nighter working on a project for the magazine when my boss Harvey was riding my ass about it. And he didn’t even pull my hair.” Alec winked. “After that I swore off the crap.”
I mock gasped. “My coffee is not crap.”
Alec chuckled as the waitress arrived with our drinks in two clean white mugs. Mine was filled with creamy, caramel-colored deliciousness that smelled like heaven. Alec’s drink was the total opposite—a transparent green with a dry, earthy smell that made my nose wrinkle.
“What is that?” I asked.
“Oolong tea.” He smiled and took a sip, then sighed. “Perfect.”
“Well, at least now I can tell everyone what flavor of hot leaf soup my boyfriend prefers.”
Alec laughed. “Oh, we’re playing that game, are we? At least my tea leaves weren’t crapped out of a civet’s butt.”
“Nice try,” I said, smirking. “If you were planning to shock me out of drinking coffee by telling me mammal ass facts, prepare to be let down. I already know all about that, and you know what?” I took a long, dramatic sip from my mug. “I don’t care.”
Alec curved a mischievous brow. “So what you’re saying is, Rowan, you love to eat ass?”
I choked. Coffee flew out of my mouth and nose, all over my shirt and the table, and I went into a fit that was half coughing and half laughter. In any other situation I might have been mortified—I’d caused a scene in front of all these people and made a huge mess. But Alec was laughing right along with me, his eyes twinkling and his smile bright. I was embarrassed, sure, but his presence made the whole thing bearable.
“Point noted,” Alec said, reaching over with napkins to help clean up. “Don’t mention eating ass at the getaway.”
“Yeah, don’t think Grandpa would appreciate that,” I said.
Anything else I was going to say shriveled up and died in my throat when Alec raised the napkin to dab at the corners of my mouth. He did it so gently that I froze, shocked by the tenderness of the action.
“What?” Alec asked as he pulled away. “Don’t tell me you’re all flustered over that.”
The shit-eating grin on his face made it clear he already knew I was goddamn flustered over it.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled, taking another gulp of coffee. “My face just gets red when certain people make me cause a scene when said people talk about eating ass in public.”
“If you say so.”
Bastard.
“In a similar vein, are there any other topics we should avoid?” Alec asked. “Politics and sex are a given, of course.”
“Yeah, good luck getting away with the latter with my mom. Now that she knows I have a boyfriend, she’ll probably spend half the trip grilling you about our relationship.” I paused. “Er, our fake relationship, I mean.”
“Gotcha. So we should prepare a list of sexual activities we both enjoy?” He lifted a finger to start listing things off.
My face burned again at how openly he was talking about this. “Do you not have, like, any shame? People can hear you.”
He shrugged. “I’m speaking at a normal conv
ersational volume. It’s not my fault if they eavesdrop.”
I snorted in disbelief. I’d rather die than have strangers overhear facts about my sex life. Good thing this was a fake date, because on a real one I might’ve walked out.
“Anyway,” I said, wanting to change the subject. “What else? Any food allergies?”
“None. No allergies whatsoever. You?”
“Can’t eat peanuts,” I said, shrugging. “It’s not severe, though. I won’t die if I eat a chocolate bar that breathed the same air as a peanut or anything.”
Alec nodded. “Good to know. No fake gifts including peanuts.”
“Oh, er, you don’t have to get me any gifts. In fact, please don’t.”
“Why not?” He rested his chin in his hand. “Wouldn’t it be a good non-physical display of affection for my fake boyfriend?”
I blushed and averted my eyes. “I get anxious being the center of attention. And besides, you’re already doing me a favor. Gifts are unnecessary.”
“All right. If you say so.” Then that shit-eating grin spread back over his face. “In that case, I’ll settle for physical displays of affection.” He winked. “I’m just teasing. I mean, we can, I don’t mind at all. But only if you’re okay with it.”
Dumb winking bastard.
“We’ll see,” I said thinly. I knew we’d probably have to touch at least once in front of Mom and everyone else to prove we were together, but the idea of it made my stomach lurch. The thought of a crowd watching while Sexy Photographer Alec even so much as put his arm around me was dizzying. But the trip wasn’t until next week, so I shoved that idea aside for now. I’d deal with it when it actually happened.
But in the privacy of my own mind, I admitted that the mental image of Alec with his arm around me made my heart flutter.
It’s all fake, Row. Don’t even think about it.
I was not going to even think about it.
“Oh!” Alec said. “I forgot the most important personal detail of all.” He pushed his oolong tea aside and leaned forward on the table. “Pets. How many and what are they? And if you tell me you’re not an animal person, this whole deal’s off.”
