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Elle is smiling and pleasant to the women, and her helpers are politely efficient, but somehow I feel like everyone is staring at me buck naked, even though I’m fully clothed.
I suppose I wasn’t prepared for the scrutiny involved in playing Mr. Right.
Once everything’s been bagged up and we turn to leave, I’m definitely not ready for the small, warm hand that slips casually into mine, instinctively lacing our fingers together.
I stop in my tracks and look down at our twined hands.
Her fingers are so pale against mine, so small, engulfed by my palm.
I remember my wits and, instead of jerking away, I keep walking, trying like hell not to focus on the soft heat soaking my skin.
“Sorry,” she murmurs from the corner of her mouth. “Just felt like the thing to do.”
“You’re doing fine, Elle.”
Fuck, can I say the same about myself?
This is just business.
A Hail Mary to save my reputation.
We’ll survive these two months.
We will.
After we’ve left the store, Elle seems surprised when Rick drives us toward the business district rather than back to her grandmother’s house.
She twists in the seat, peering back through the rear window.
“Where are we going? I thought you had a meeting?”
“I do,” I say. “But I thought you should come to the office and meet my sister first. The staff should see my devoted fiancée at work. Aunt Clara won’t be in today, but you’ll meet her soon enough. Rick will drive you home once you’ve toured Little Key.” I pause, frowning. “You didn’t have other plans today, did you?”
“Not really. I was just going to sleep in, bum around, and do some unpacking. The rest of my stuff hasn’t gotten here yet. I shipped it through Amtrak to save money on movers, but it takes a little longer.”
My frown deepens. “Is money a concern for you? I can raise your compensation for the next two months.”
“Huh?” She whips her head around and blinks at me. Her hair’s still bound the way she tied it in the store, and it frames her face in an alarmingly attractive way, soft wisps bringing out delicate cheekbones. “Oh no. No, that’s totally fine. You’ve already offered more than enough, August. Money isn’t a huge problem any more than it is for, um ...” She clears her throat. “Normal people, I mean. I just try to be thrifty.” Then she giggles. “Though it’s funny you can say that like it’s nothing.”
I grumble, looking away.
My upbringing was normal enough, despite growing up with a famous aunt for a stand-in mom who banked serious money early on.
Sometimes discussing my net worth embarrasses me. Though I suppose that’s why I give it away so easily, especially if it helps someone close to me.
Money matters a hell of a lot less than other things in life. It’s a means to an end, nothing more.
I feel Elle leaning closer now, her warmth and that damnably sweet floral apple scent washing over me.
“Sorry. Did I embarrass you?” she asks with a wink.
“No.” A little. “I’m simply thinking of your grandmother and her care, if she ever decides to take the plunge with surgery. Surely, insurance won’t cover the full costs?”
I feel her pulling back and glance at her. She’s blinking at me like she’s seeing me for the very first time.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” She shakes her head slightly. “I just didn’t expect you to be—well, nice.”
