by SJ McCoy
He took hold of her hand and squeezed it. “What are you saying?”
“I guess all I’m trying to do is apologize for being so silly. When you came home, and I was here it felt so good, so right. Like this was our life, and I was so lucky to be with you and to have you want me like you did. And then I remembered what Milo said, and it made me feel like I was being stupid because all you were doing, all you wanted to do was come home and find a woman in your kitchen—a woman you could … fuck.”
He sat back at that and shook his head sadly. “You know that’s not how I see it.”
“I do. And I’m sorry.”
His heart was racing. He wanted to kill Milo, but at the same time, a part of him was grateful. He hated that he’d planted doubts in her mind, but he’d also made her come out and admit that she was wishing this was for real—just like Austin was.
“Let’s go back a bit?”
She looked up at him. “Where to?”
He smiled. “To the part where you said that this felt good—right—that you were here, and this was our life.”
She dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry. I was just getting carried away. You don’t need that kind of pressure.”
“What if I want it? What if I’ve been feeling that way, too? Feeling like I’m so lucky to be with you and that you being here feels right?”
Her eyes widened.
“That’s how I feel, Amber. Yes, this started out as a lie, but it doesn’t feel like one. It feels to me more like we’re lying to ourselves than lying to your parents. If Jade hadn’t said what she said, I want to think that we would have gotten there anyway.”
She bit down on her bottom lip, but it didn’t hide her smile. “Do you?”
He nodded. “I do. I don’t want this to be about your parents anymore. I want it to be about us and how we really feel.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to tell you how I feel.”
His heart slammed to a halt. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want to scare you.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Well, I’m sorry if I scare you. But I need you to know.” He tucked his fingers under her chin and tilted her head back so she looked up into his eyes. “I love you.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around his neck. “You do?”
He nodded. He knew it was too soon still, but this whole thing had gotten way too complicated, and he needed to take it back to the simple truth.
She planted a kiss on his lips. “I love you, too.”
He wanted to be thrilled, but he wasn’t entirely sure. “You don’t have to say it back just to make me happy, you know.”
She gave him a sad smile. “I’m not. I’m saying it because it makes me happy. I didn’t want to tell you but … You really do? You love me?”
He chuckled. “I really do. Believe me. I’m not in the habit of saying those three words just because I think someone wants to hear them.”
“Well, just so you know, neither am I. In all the time I was with Milo, I never said that.”
He tightened his arm around her, not knowing how to tell her how happy that made him.
Roscoe chose that moment to come and start sniffing at Amber’s panties.
“Get away, perv!”
Amber laughed and got down from the table. “He kind of has a point. I should probably get cleaned up.”
“Yeah.” For the first time, it occurred to Austin that they were still sitting on the breakfast table, with their underwear on the floor.
~ ~ ~
After they’d cleaned up. They ate dinner out at the table by the pool. Amber kept glancing at Austin. Her heart felt as though it might overflow. He loved her? He loved her! This wasn’t just pretend. It was for real.
He caught her peeking at him and stopped with his fork mid-air and smiled. “What?”
She laughed. “I’m just checking out this hot guy who says he loves me.”
He laughed with her. “You can check him out all you like. He’s yours.”
Her chest filled with that warm feeling. “I can’t quite believe it. Don’t get me wrong. I want to.”
“I understand. I feel the same way. I knew …” He drew in a deep breath. “I know it’s fast, but it’s not like we got together without knowing each other first. I knew who you were as a person before I ever asked you out.” He smirked. “I knew you must have some interest in me too, since you agreed to go out with me even though I made such a mess of asking you.”
She smiled. “I didn’t think you made a mess of it. I thought I was just such a mess I didn’t really understand.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I don’t think either of us is very good at the whole dating thing, are we?”
She laughed. “I don’t mind admitting that I’m not. Look at my track record.”
“I’m not saying anything. Mine’s no better.”
Her heart leaped into her chest when he spoke again.
“I think maybe we should both give up.”
“What … what do you mean?”
He smiled. “That I’d like our dating days to be behind us. It’s not dating when you live together, is it?”
“Oh! No. I don’t suppose it is.”
“So, what do you say?”
Her heart was racing. She wanted to be sure that she understood—that he meant what she hoped he did.
He raised an eyebrow. “I know you’re living here this week, and I already told you that I’d like you to stay after the weekend. What I’m saying is … what I’m asking is, do you want to live with me?”
“Yes! I do, Austin. I’d love to.”
He leaned across and landed a kiss on her lips. “Thank you.”
Chapter Nineteen
Austin woke early on Saturday morning. He was nervous about this weekend. He hoped that Amber’s parents were going to like him. That was important to him, and he knew that he’d gotten off to the wrong start with them. He, personally, hadn’t lied to them, but he’d been a part of the lie, gone along with it. And he needed the truth to come out.
Amber rolled over and gave him a sleepy smile. “You’re awake, too?”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Yup. Good morning.”
She made a face. “Do you really think it’s good? I’m dreading today.”
He nodded. “I can’t say I’m thrilled about it.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I want to say I wish we’d never gone along with this, but I can’t because if we hadn’t …”
He kissed her again. “Don’t say things wouldn’t have worked out the way they have between us. It might have taken us a bit longer, but we would have gotten here.” He hugged her to his chest. “I honestly believe that we’re meant to be.”
“Aww.” She kissed him. “You’re amazing.”
He chuckled. “I’m just an ordinary guy.”
She laughed out loud at that. “You are so far from ordinary. You’re a shining star in a world full of darkness.”
He laughed. “I didn’t know you were the poetic kind.”
She shrugged. “Neither did I, but it’s true. You’re a star.”
“Whatever you say.”
“To be fair. It’s not what I say. It’s what my dad always used to say to Jade and me when we were small. He used to tell us that we were shining stars. I could always see it about Jade. She shines bright in everything. I’ve never felt like I shine. She’s so sweet though. She always tells me that Milo stole my shine.”
Austin smiled. “You shine bright to me.”
“So, you get it. I don’t think I do, but you see it. You don’t think you do, but I see it.”
Austin nodded. “I like it. It reminds me of a line in a song, something about stars in a sunlit sky. They’re still shining, you just don’t notice them when it’s light.”
“Exactly. Most people only pay attention to the sunshine. They don’t notice the stars that are still shining quietly in the background.”
He hugged
her closer. “I love that explanation. We’re neither of us people who need to steal the limelight, are we?”
“No. We don’t even want it. We can just shine for each other while no one else is looking.”
Austin’s smile faded. It was all well and good lying here talking about stars, but they were going to have to get up and get on with the day soon.
Amber blew out a sigh. “I wish I hadn’t lied to them.”
“Maybe it’s time to tell them the truth.” His heart thundered as he said it, but it was the right thing to do.
She nodded slowly. “I guess there’s no reason not to, is there?”
“Not unless you don’t want to. Telling them the truth now will mean admitting that we lied before.”
“You didn’t.”
“But I’m in it with you.”
“And Jade.”
“She already said she doesn’t mind admitting it.”
Amber nodded. “It’s the right thing to do, isn’t it?”
“It is. I’d feel better about it.”
“Then, that’s what we’ll do.”
~ ~ ~
Amber looked over at Austin as he drove them into town. “Would you mind if we stop to see Lenny on the way?”
“Of course not.”
“Thanks. And do you mind …” She wanted to ask if he minded if she told her grandmother that they were together for real.
He smiled. “You want to tell her that we’re not faking it?”
She let out a short laugh. “Yes. It just occurred to me that if I admit that we were lying, it’ll mean telling them that she was going along with the lie.”
“Ah.”
Amber shrugged. “I don’t think she’ll care, but I’d like to talk to her first.”
“I would, too. And did you talk to Jade?”
“Yeah. She’s going to meet us later and she doesn’t mind at all if we tell them that she made the whole thing up.”
Austin frowned.
“I know. I don’t want to throw her under the bus. She was only trying to help me out. I’m hoping that I can come clean without making it look like anyone else did anything wrong.”
“Hopefully, they’ll understand.”
“I think they might. Dad was a lot more understanding than I expected when I talked to him last week.”
Austin reached over and squeezed her hand. “It’ll all be okay. You’ll see. And after this weekend we’ll be free to get on with our life with none of this hanging over us.”
She smiled. That sounded so good.
She paced nervously around the airport building while they waited for the plane to land. She’d only been out here a couple of times when her parents had visited before.
She smiled when she saw Zack come out of the offices in the back. He grinned and came over to them. “Hey guys. It’s good to see you. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Austin smiled. “Thanks.”
“I’m surprised at you, though. I thought you’d have gotten everyone together to tell us yourselves. I was surprised that Nadia of all people was the one sharing your news.”
Amber frowned. “What do you mean?”
Zack’s smile faded. “Shit! You’re not trying to keep it secret, are you? If you are, she’s blown it.”
Austin blew out a sigh. “Don’t tell me. She’s going around telling people that we’re engaged?”
“Yeah.” Zack gave him a worried look. “Is it supposed to be a secret?”
Austin looked at Amber and rolled his eyes. “It’s complicated.”
“Sorry guys. I won’t say another word about it to anyone.”
Amber shook her head. “If anyone asks, you should probably tell them it’s not true.”
Austin gave her a look she couldn’t decipher, then turned to Zack. “It’s probably better to just play dumb. Don’t say anything at all for now.”
“Sure.” Zack looked out the window as a plane came in to land. “Is that your folks, Amber?”
She nodded. “I think so.”
Zack raised an eyebrow. “I guess you don’t want them hearing that rumor, if it’s not true, huh?”
She had to laugh.
Zack gave her a puzzled look.
“It’s like Austin said. It’s complicated. Way too complicated.”
Austin smiled. “But hopefully, we’ll have it all straightened out before the weekend’s over.”
Zack held his hands up. “I don’t get it. I don’t think I want to get it. If I can do anything to help, let me know, but other than that, I’m just going to play dumb.”
Austin chuckled. “That’s probably the best way to go.”
“I’ll see you around, guys.”
Amber looked up at Austin once he’d gone. “Why would Nadia be telling people?”
“She overheard Kenzie the other night when we were at the Boathouse, remember?”
“Oh. But why …?”
Austin shrugged. “I have no idea. And it’s not important right now. I’m guessing that’s your folks?”
Amber looked to where the doors from the ramp were sliding open. “Yep, that’s them.”
Austin took hold of her hand. “Are you ready?”
She reached up and kissed his lips. “I am. Are you?”
He smiled. “Yeah. I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
She gave him a puzzled look, but there was no time to ask what he meant when her mom spotted them and started waving and hurrying over.
~ ~ ~
Austin took a deep breath and put a smile on his face as they went to meet her parents. Her dad met his gaze with an appraising look. At least it wasn’t hostile.
“Mr. Young. It’s good to meet you.” He held his hand out.
Amber’s dad nodded and shook with him. “I’d like to say the same, but I think you’ll understand if I reserve judgment on that for a while.”
Austin nodded. “Of course.” It wasn’t as bad as he’d expected.
He turned to her mom, and she smiled. “I’m cautious, too, but …” She smiled at Amber and then back at Austin. “You’ll get full points in the first impressions department.”
Austin had to smile, though it faded quickly when her dad gave him a stern look.
“I told you, you didn’t need to pick us up. I rented a car.”
Amber smiled. “I know, but we were excited to see you.”
Her dad didn’t look convinced. He looked at Austin.
He shrugged and gave him a half smile. He planned to go with the truth whenever possible with them. “I would have used the word nervous, but yeah. We were eager to see you.”
“You mean to get this over with?”
Austin met his gaze. He wasn’t going to let the man push him around. “More like to get it started so that we can get it straight.”
He could feel Amber tense at his side, but to his relief, her dad smiled at him. “Fair enough. We’re going to get checked in at the lodge over at Four Mile Creek. Do you want to give me directions to your place and we’ll come over when we’re ready?”
“I thought we were having lunch with you at the plaza,” said Amber.
Her mom smiled. “We thought we’d come and see you first.”
“Okay.”
Austin nodded. “Do you want me to text you the directions?”
“You can send them to my phone,” said her mom. “I’m the navigator.”
She told him her number and Austin tapped it into his phone. He sent her the directions and then smiled and took his phone back out. “Actually, I’ll give you the code for the gate, too.”
Her dad raised an eyebrow. “You live in a gated community?”
Austin had to smile. He usually felt a little bit embarrassed that he’d gone and installed himself a fancy electronic gate, but today he wasn’t above using it to try to impress her dad. “No. It’s my gate.”
Her dad looked a little puzzled, but her mom smiled. “We can’t wait to see the place.” She touched Austin’s arm. “I know yo
u said you’re nervous, but there’s really no need. All we want is for our little star to be happy.”
Amber smiled. “I am.”
Her dad met Austin’s gaze again. “Of course, we want to get to know you. Make sure that … that she’s okay.”
Austin nodded. “I understand. I want you to get to know me. I want you to leave here knowing that she’s loved and that she’s going to be taken care of.”
Amber looked at him, but he continued to meet her dad’s gaze.
Eventually, he nodded. “Well, they’re bringing our bags out. We’ll see you at your place in a while. We’ll let you know when we’re on the way.”
Amber squeezed his hand as they watched her parents follow the guy with bags out to the parking lot.
“I thought we were going to tell them the truth?”
“We are.”
“But what you said about me being loved and taken care of …”
He had to smile, and he dropped a kiss on her lips. “That is the truth. We’re not trying to convince them about some fake fiancé. I’m letting them know what’s really going on.”
“Aww.” She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. “You’re awesome.”
He laughed. “Let’s hope we can get them to think that.”
~ ~ ~
Amber caught hold of Roscoe’s collar when he started to bark. “They must be here.”
“Yep.”
“Are you okay with all this?”
He smiled. “I am. I’m glad they’re here. It’s like I told your dad, I want to get this all straightened out.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean, exactly?”
The smile he gave her made her insides turn to mush. “I asked you a while ago, if you trust me.”
