She stared at her face in the mirror. Took in her short gray hair, numerous wrinkles, and still-pink cheeks. “You do not like Jasper Mathis,” she said to her reflection. “Got that? You donotlike him!”
Flutter. Flutter.
Chapter13
“Last chance to change our minds.”
Olivia looked at Kingston. They were parked in the Bedfords’ circular driveway, a huge Mediterranean-style home in front of them. He was rubbing his palm back and forth on the leather steering wheel. Since they’d made their decision to pretend to be a couple, they had texted each other over the past few days, both offering the other one an out. Neither one had accepted. Despite the ball of anxiety forming in her stomach, she had to go through with their plan. Karen wasn’t amenable like Aunt Bea, who had stuck to her promise not to interfere with Olivia’s love life. Aunt Bea listened. Karen never did.
There was something else keeping her from backing out. She’d spent the last three days and sixteen hours expecting Kingston not to show up. Not only had he kept his word, but he’d also texted her before he left his condo and even arrived a few minutes early and escorted her to his car. She avoided looking at the hood, remembering their after-coffeemake-out session. Even now she had a hard time pushing the memory out of her mind—
“We can always walk in there and tell her we’re just friends.” He continued to stare at the massive front door to his parents’ house. “We just sit her down and insist that’s all we will ever be.”
“We both know that won’t work.” She placed her hands on her knees, the soft fabric of her gray houndstooth skirt shifting underneath her palms.
He turned to her, regret in his eyes. “I’m sorry about this.”
“Don’t be.” She smiled. “Let’s try to have fun with it.”
“Will do.” He grinned.
Tingle. Tingle.
Kingston got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her. He held out his hand.
She stared at it for a second. This was the moment of truth. Once she slipped her hand into his, she was Kingston’s girlfriend—for the time being. They still had to discuss the timeline of their “relationship.” She intended to nail that down tonight. He might be okay with a few weeks of unscheduled time, but she wasn’t.
She lifted her gaze to his. He was still smiling, a playful twinkle in his eye.
Have fun.
She took his hand, and he helped her out of the car. After giving her fingers a quick squeeze, he let go, and they made their way to the front door. Kingston pressed the doorbell, and before it finished ringing, the door flew open, revealing his mother and her stunned—no, shocked—expression. Shehad to have been peeking out through one of the small arched windows on the door to have opened it so fast.
“Hello, Mother.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.
“Um, hi.” Her gaze darted to him, then Olivia, then back to him. “You two came together?”
“Yes.” Olivia stepped forward. “It didn’t make any sense to take two cars.”
“And I didn’t mind driving to Maple Falls,” he added. “Aren’t you going to let us in?”
Karen composed her expression and smiled. “Welcome.”
They walked inside, and as usual, Olivia was impressed with the house. High ceilings, bright and airy, and filled with expensive décor and details. She felt like she was walking through a mansion. The structure wasn’t quite at that level, but close.
“Supper is almost ready,” Karen said, the hem of her ankle-length lavender sheath dress fluttering around her silver-sandaled feet as she closed the door behind them. Several strands of lavender crystals twinkled around her neck. “Kingston, why don’t you go to the bar and fix Olivia a drink?”
“She doesn’t drink alcohol, remember?” Kingston glanced at Olivia, and she nodded, surprised he’d remembered that detail, which she’d mentioned during their talk at Bea’s when they were listing their favorite beverages. Kingston did like an occasional glass of wine, she’d found out.
“There’s plenty of other options.” Karen shooed them both toward the den. “I’ll let you know when it’s time to dine.” She smiled, a satisfied glimmer in blue eyes thatmatched Kingston’s. She turned to Olivia. “You look lovely tonight. Doesn’t she, King?”
The ball of anxiety rolled around in her gut. Karen wasn’t even trying to be discreet.
“She absolutely does.”
She turned and saw him gazing at her, awestruck. Wow, just like a gorgeous actor staring at his beautiful costar. The tingles amplified.
He’s acting... only acting.
