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“I like your optimism,” he mused. “Thinking that nobody knows.”
“Does everyone know?”
“I think so,” Seb said slowly. “My grandfather doesn’t exactly understand being discreet.”
“He also believes this is real,” I replied through gritted teeth. “Have you stopped to consider that you should tell him the truth?”
He sighed and leaned forward. “I tried. I ended up having to tell him we were taking a break, and he insisted we got back together, and my mother told him we did, so…”
“You know, I’m starting to really dislike your mom.”
He actually looked somewhat sympathetic at that. “I know. I can’t say I’m too fond of her either right now.”
“I’d hope not. She’s the reason we’re in this mess.” I mirrored his position, leaning forward with my forearms crossed on the table. “Now how do we get out of it?”
“We could give it a week and mutually break up?”
“Yeah, no, that’s not gonna work for me.” I shook my head. “I was thinking more that you cheat on me, so I slap you, scream at you, and run out in front of the entire place.”
“That doesn’t really do anything for my image.”
“I don’t really care about your image.”
“I know, but as my fake girlfriend, you could pretend to.”
“Sebastian, I can’t pretend on both accounts. I don’t like you nearly enough to do that.”
He clutched his chest. “You wound me. And here I thought we’d reconnected this weekend.”
I gave him a withering look. “Reconnect is a strong word. We cleared the air, but that’s about it.”
“Holley, we shared a bed.”
“If that’s the criteria for connecting with someone, there’s a whole lot of dating coaches about to be out of a job.” I paused. “And Saylor could probably get a second job.”
Seb fought back a laugh. “We’re friends, and you know it.”
“How do you figure that?”
“You wouldn’t be here if you really hated me.”
That was annoying.
I hated it when he was right. He had a terrible habit of it and it was really starting to grate on me. “I didn’t say I hated you. I didn’t even say we weren’t friends. You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Are you not in control of this situation? Is it bugging you?”
“You’re bugging me,” I snapped. “And you know I’m not in control of it. If I were, I’d be back at my bookstore, minding my own business with some soup and not here with you.”
“You can get soup here.”
“I am getting soup here. But I can’t eat it in my sweatpants on the floor of the stockroom when I’m here.”
“You keep sweatpants at your store?”
“Of course I do. What, you think I do stock taking in my Sunday best? No. I pull off my jeans, put on my sweats, and get to it. If I have to lug boxes of books around, I’m going to be comfortable while I do it.”
“Fair enough.” He sipped his water. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind for our next date.”
“Do you really think there’ll be another date?” I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Sebastian, this isn’t a date. This weekend wasn’t a date. If you want to be friends, that’s fine, but we have to drop this little charade.”
“Is it ruining your non-existent dating life?”
“Little bit.”
He stared at me for the longest moment, then burst out laughing while he shook his head. I didn’t know what was so funny. For all he knew, I was ready to jump into the dating world with two feet and make a big splash.
I said as much.
To his credit, he at least attempted to hide his second bout of laughter. Not very well, but he tried. “Right. Is that what you’re doing tonight, then? Finding a date?”
“So what if I am?”
“It’ll really ruin this little charade.”
“Excellent. I’ll download a dating app right now.” I pulled my phone from my purse and unlocked it.
Seb took it from me with a wry smile. “Don’t be rude.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but our food was brought over by Johanna who beamed at us. “Look at this. White Peak’s hottest new couple.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Not you, too.”
She grinned at me. “No, honey, I know the truth. I just like messin’ with ya.”
“Please don’t. I’m hanging onto what last thin thread of sanity I have left as it is.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Seb told me, and not for the first time today. “How did the bakery sale go? Any news?”
What bakery sale?
Johanna sighed and wiped her hands on her apron. “Yep, but it’s not good, I’m afraid. Alison called me yesterday and said they’d had another offer, and the other person’s offer is higher than I can afford, so…” She shrugged and held out her hands. “What can you do? That’s business.”
Seb smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Johanna. I know you wanted it.”
“Ah, it’s fine. It means I don’t have to hire anyone else. Felicity can keep working for me. Saves me a job.” She winked. “Can I get you anything else?”
