Chapter 42
Juniper
Sigh.
And there I go, thinking about him exercising again, working his hard, corded body like a fine–tuned machine.
I need to stop thinking about him sweating, straining, groaning with exertion.
I definitely don’t need more of the image that’s been living rent–free in my head since Nana’s dinner.
“You’re right. We’ll survive. I wish I could say it’s the only worry.” He sighs. “My little brother left me with a family complication.”
“Patton?” I recall the brother he’s talking about–the bright–eyed one with the sharp smile and ruthless charm.
“The one and only,” he snarls. “What did he do?”
“He told my mother about us.”
What the what?
I chew my lip as I watch about fifty emotions flick across his face.
-Every shade of frustration and resignation known to humankind surfaces.
God, he doesn’t want this any more than I do.
“Oh. Ouch. Um, so you mean there’s one more person we have to fool?” My stomach twists.
“I know,” he says, glancing up at me with a wry smile. “It’s what I deserve after getting your nana involved. Payback’s always a bitch, but fair’s fair.”
“I never said that.”
“No, but you’d be right if you did.” He heaves out another soul–grinding sigh. “The thing is, just like Jo, my mother will want to meet you. She’s insisting on it.”
That shouldn’t be so scary.
But for some reason, I’m instantly peppered with goosebumps. Another date.
Another important family member to impress. Another lie.
More people we have to deceive to keep this big ball of crazy going. Even if we’re getting better at this, something’s got to give.
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hurt, what then?
“There’s something else I had to bring in person,” he says slowly, watching me warily. “For your trouble.”
What’s he talking about?
His hand drifts out of his pocket, clasping a small grey box with gold lettering.
Oh no.
Oh no, no, no.
When he opens it, revealing what I’m dreading, I don’t remember how to breathe.
A freaking ring.
And not just any ring.
No, this is a ring from Dexter Rory, a man who never learned how to do anything without going all out.
Of course, it’s gorgeous enough to make me stupid.
All diamond–studded white gold with a sparkling blue stone in the middle. The whole vibe is both delicate and totally over the top.
I’m already in love with the wretched thing. And I hate that I love it.
“There’s no sense in being subtle anymore. Counting my brothers, a shit ton of people know we’re engaged,” he explains. “No one will believe I’ve proposed without a ring on your finger.”
“Oh my God.” I’m hyperventilating. “You just… you went and… you bought me an engagement ring?” I say faintly, knowing full well there’s no doubt.
An engagement ring.
Those three little words feel completely alien.
His face blanks, but he’s smiling with his eyes, midnight–blue apologies sparkling like stars.
“Forrest Haute’s one thing, but my mother’s another. I’m sorry if it’s not your style, Junie. There’s still time to swap it
out.”
“Are you insane?”
I could have searched the world twice over and not found an engagement ring half this magnificent. This man, who doesn’t even know me, is some sort of psychic jewelry genius.
“It’s really pretty,” I whisper.
“It’s yours to keep when this is over. Don’t even fucking ask how much it costs.” he says. “Sell it. keep it. give it to your
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cat, whatever. I’m sure this isn’t the type of engagement you ever wanted–and technically, it’s not. I’m just goddamned grateful you’re willing to go along with it.”
Technically, it’s not.
Why does he sound like he’s trying to make himself believe it? My brain sputters.
All I can see right now is that ring in its little grey box, the blue velvet inside cushioning the precious diamonds and stillborn promises.
I don’t doubt for a second they’re real, and they’re spectacular.
Oh, and its resale value will probably break my jaw when it hits the ground. He’s paying me a massive premium in jewelry on top of the six figures hitting my account.
The bigger the lie, the more I earn.
That should thrill me, coming into a small fortune I never imagined, but it doesn’t.
Not while I’m staring at something that shouldn’t exist.
A ring from a man who’s hilariously out of my league. The one thing I never thought I’d get with a monster catch.
A fake fiancé.
A man who doesn’t want to marry me.
-Of course, he shouldn’t. He doesn’t even know me.
Still.
Still, I can’t help feeling it bone–deep like a surprise sucker punch, knowing that the only ring I’ll ever get is just a whacky business transaction.
Not because I’m lovable.
Not because it means anything.
Not because I’m someone he’d ever date, much less marry.
“Dex,” I start, trying to figure out how to respond, but he presses a firm finger gently against my lips.
“I’m not done. Since your grandmother was on board with me lending some advice, I want you to know the offer stands. I’d be happy to look over the Sugar Bowl’s financials and business practices anytime.” He glances at my laptop. “I’m decent with numbers, if you need a hand.”
My face heats. Oh, boy.
It feels too much like the cute boy in class offering homework help and suddenly I’m a mess of butterflies.
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“You’d do that for me? My records are a crapfest, fair warning.” For the first time, I look back up at him and meet his gaze. It’s so unwavering I shiver. “You’d really take time out of your day to see if you can improve my business?”
“Sure. I’ve been doing this for a long time, analyzing cash flow from top to bottom. I don’t know much about baking, but I know a hell of a lot about business.”
“Shit.” I might cry.
That meltdown I’ve been putting off hits full force.
This whole thing keeps snowballing. I don’t know what to say or what to do. Now we’re fake engaged with a ring and he’s going to be my tutor. No doubt pinpointing all the dumb mistakes I’ve been making along the way.
I should be soaring, but there’s a weight in my chest that keeps me grounded.
“Shit,” I whisper again because I’ve run out of other words. What’s even the right response to this?
“Junie?” Dexter’s voice is soft, and when I look at him, there’s concern flashing in his eyes.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” I say automatically, wiping one eye.
“Ironing out money issues is what I do,” he tells me. “I don’t mind. It’s second nature.”
My lips twitch mockingly. “No, I’m not freaking out because you said you’d help me with the business, Dex. You… you got me a ring. I’m stuck on that.”
He frowns.
I wonder if he remembers how bitter I sounded at his house when I toasted the only engagement I’d ever have.
I hold out my hand for the box.
“Can I see it again?” I try to keep my voice light to avoid a total ugly cry meltdown. “I might as well have an idea what I’m getting into, right?”
“One second. Down you go, big boy.” He lifts Catness off his lap and stands while I look at him like he’s sprouted a second head. “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it properly.”
What’s he doing now? Breaking me, apparently.
I’m dizzy when I realize what’s happening.
“Dexter Rory, don’t you dare.” I tremble.
A wild smile lights up his face for the first time. Even bolder and more mischievous than the throwback to Nana’s garden and the way he looked at me then in the golden light like I could actually be someone he’d love in another life.
The look that hurts. Unrestrained.
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Overflowing with humor and warmth that made my heart clench.
My heart has totally lost the game now. Sinking and cartwheeling and lurching in my chest.
Then he goes down on one knee in front me, holding the box like a sacred offering.
“Juniper Winkley,” he says, mock seriously. “You’ve been the best fake girlfriend a man could ever want.”
“Dex-”
“Don’t interrupt my proposal,” he growls.
I mime locking my lips shut and throwing away the key.
“As I was saying, you’ve been the best fake girlfriend a man could hope for. You haven’t gone back on our deal, you haven’t backed down, and you haven’t even found a hitman to haul my carcass down to the Ozarks and be done with my shit–though I know you’ve thought about it plenty.”
I bite my bottom lip, trying not to laugh.
“So, Sweet Stuff, fake lover and real partner, will you accept this ring? Will you save my balls from getting crushed like grapes one more time?” Without waiting for an answer, he grabs my hand and slides the ring on.
Holy, holy hell.
My entire existence starts spinning.
It’s all so unexpected, a jittery laugh bubbles out of me like champagne, light and airy, clearing space in my chest so
I can breathe again.
I should just accept this twist of fate and have fun with it like he is.
How many women ever get to see an obscenely handsome man kneeling in front of them–and the ring really is pretty stunning.
“I would be delighted,” I say. It’s not even a lie. Not really. The ring has me converted. “Until death do us part–or the contract expires, I guess.”
In a gesture as sweet as it is unexpected, he grasps my hand, kissing my knuckles.
“And not a minute longer,” he promises.
Yeah, way to completely detonate my heart. Sighing, I smile.
“Until then, Junie, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make it as painless as possible.”
“How romantic.” I wiggle my fingers so the ring catches the light. Damn, these diamonds are enormous. “You didn’t need to do this, you know. You could’ve just sent the ring with one of the letters you love sending.”
“Call me old–fashioned. I believe in doing this romance shit properly.” He leans down to stroke Catness one more
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time.
But there’s nothing proper about this. I zoned out on him, and he was probably worried I was about to send him packing with his ring and bow out of the whole thing.
Maybe that’s why he came over in the first place. To make sure I wasn’t going to bolt and toss the ring in the trash.
“Well, thanks,” I say, following him to the door. “At least now I can honestly tell people I’ve been engaged, though with this thing, they won’t need to ask.”
“I won’t ask you to wear it all the time. Just keep it with you.” For a second, he looks troubled, before a thin smile crosses his face and warms his eyes. “Just in case.”
I hold up my hand. “Um, there’s no way I’m losing this thing. It’s worth more than my IRA.”
“Thanks again for humoring an idiot who ought to know better, Sweet Stuff.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek before turning and heading out the door.
I watch it close behind him with my heart skipping.
But as soon as he’s gone, I flatten myself against the door, idly slumping down to pet Catness as he rubs my ankles and purrs loudly.
Once upon a very stupid time in my life, I dreamed Liam would propose like this.
Well, not exactly like this, maybe–I dreamed of grander settings–but with the same sort of ring and the same heat in his eyes.
With the same sense that my life is finally going in the right direction and he’s ready to share it.
Instead, I get Dexter Rory.
Gorgeous, rich, totally unobtainable Dexter, whose proposal is just a joke to keep the biggest scheme of my life going.
I wasn’t good enough for Liam. I’m barely good enough for Dexter to use as a prop.
A glittering, bright–eyed prop with diamonds on my finger just to prove a point.
I can’t forget that.
I can’t forget this ring is nothing more than a weird gesture of gratitude, however amazing it looks.
So I pull it off before it inspires any other bitter thoughts and return to my cold chili, trying not to collapse into the hole in my heart.
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Chapter 43
