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JD sighs. “We’ll behave, babe. I promise,” he vows, rubbing her back softly.
“That’s right, worry about your wife, kid,” Blake says, lifting the beer bottle to his lips and taking a swallow. “And let me worry about Loren.” I elbow him and shoot him a look. He’s lucky I’ve been able to temper my morning sickness by keeping my stomach full.
“I’m sorry,” JD grumbles in return. “Of course I think the world of both of you, and I’d have pushed you together myself if I thought you wouldn’t kill one another within the first hour.” Then he looks directly at Blake. “And you can’t blame me for jumping to conclusions, especially after what you said about her before.”
Blake smirks. “I was obviously lying. Well, not about her being a smartass, but about the ‘intolerable’ part. If I’m being honest, the smartass thing has always been a huge turn on.”
Despite my better judgment, my breath hitches in my throat, not only because of his confession, but also because he’s grasping me tighter from behind, physically confirming his attachment even though no one else can see.
“There are a lot of things I like about Loren,” he says, lowering his voice as he stares down at me and fists the back of my dress.
I don’t know if a man has ever made me weak in the knees before, but I finally understand the expression.
Then I remember that it’s all part of our plot, that he’s only playing along and misleading his brother to make our unintended pregnancy appear slightly less indecent later. It’s just that Blake is so good at making me feel desired that I keep forgetting it’s an act. And since we’re only in Act One: Scene Three, I realize I am undoubtedly going to get my heart broken by Act Four, if I make it that far.
JD narrows his eyes at us. “I’m not surprised you likeher, especially after our stunt a while back left you looking more jealous than Tenley, and you were in on it. I’m just shocked she’s willing to bother withyou.”
“Well, it’s not like I have a line of suitors at my door,” I retort once I finally find my voice again, making them laugh and lightening the mood. “I’m thirty years old and have no prospects. I can’t afford to be picky now that I’m nearing Charlotte Lucas territory. Because I’m an old maid with nothing to lose,” I clarify, not expecting any of them to get the reference.
“Oh, then you’re only dating Blake because he’s the last available man in town?” Tenley catches me off guard, and her expression looks smug as she continues. “Or do you also have an intolerable-smartass kink?”
“I might,” I say with a coy shrug. Then I cup my hand around my mouth as I whisper loudly, “Don’t tell him I said this, but he’s also kind of hot.”
She chuckles, and Blake turns to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively at me. At least my attempt at humor seems to be diffusing the situation.
“But what about Dr. Rowan?” Tenley asks, bringing me back down again.
“Oh, um, the long-distance thing was … it just wouldn’t have worked out,” I reply awkwardly.
“Especially since something was already going on between the two of you,” Tenley says, pursing her lips and glaring shrewdly.
“Seriously though, if he does anything at all to hurt you, I’ll kick his ass,” JD interrupts her, looking at me and ignoring Blake. “Just say the word, Lo.”
“You might try,” Blake mumbles under his breath.
I snort. “While I appreciate the offer, I can handle myself.”
Liar.
“Besides, I already have an overbearing big brother, and one’s more than enough,” I continue, ignoring my conscience.
“Yeah, he doesn’t bother me either,” Blake remarks, and my stomach swoops.
Then Tenley pulls JD away in search of refreshments, and Blake and I are left alone again. My phone sounds, and I pull it out to read Tenley’s scolding for not fessing up sooner.
I smile to myself, relieved to have survived at least one of the interactions I’d been dreading, until I feel Blake’s warm breath on my neck and his lips grazing my ear.
“You’ve got some explaining to do, Reed,” he whispers.
“Hmm?” I squeak.
“Exactly when did you start thinking I’m so hot? Was this before or after you saw me naked?” he continues, making me shiver against my will. Thankfully, he backs away after a second.
“I thought we were supposed to be faking it for the cameras,” I reply, keeping my eyes down.
“Were we?”
I look up at him from beneath my lashes. “We were.”
