I dropped down to the edge of the bed and flopped back onto the mattress. “I have to do this, don’t I?”
“Yep,” Whitney and Wander said in tandem.
Ryan chuckled. “Cheer up, cupcake. I’m a great boyfriend.”
“If that’s so true, then why are you single?” I snapped. “If you’ve got the magic love spell in twelve easy steps, how come you aren’t married with a house full of kids?”
His expression turned stern. “Because all the methodology in the world doesn’t mean jack shit if it’s not with the right person. I give people the skills to make connections, but chemistry and desire have to be mutual.” His face lightened, and that playboy smirk was back. “So cheer up. That gives you a fifty-fifty shot at beating me in this little game.”
“Have you decided where you’re moving to next yet?” Wander asked.
“No,” I groaned as I grabbed a pillow, held it over my face, and then screamed into it.
“Are you from around here?” Whitney asked Ryan while I was mid-scream.
I crossed my fingers for him to live on a different planet.
“My mom lives in Queens,” Ryan said. “It’s where I stay if I’m not out doing speaking engagements on the road.”
Dammit.
Whitney peeled the pillow off my face. “You can come up to Rhode Island and stay with Miles and me. It’ll put you a few hours apart from each other.”
I loved Whitney and Miles, but the last thing I wanted was to live with her and her happily-ever-after husband while my personal life got put on hold for the next three months.
“I have this room booked for a few more days. I wanted to crash in the city for a bit before I start writing my next book.”
“Looks like you’re out of luck, Wills,” Wander said as she grabbed my hand and yanked me up to a sitting position. Renovating a house with her now-husband had made her freakishly strong. “I hope you and your fake boyfriend are very happy with each other.”
“Or at least don’t murder each other,” Whitney said.
“I can help hide his body,” Alona called from the hallway.
I glanced at Whitney. “Can we keep her?”
Ryan’s phone chimed. “I’ve gotta bounce. I have client meetings.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stopped when he was standing in front of me. “Better watch out, cupcake. I don’t play fair.”
“Youhave tofollow your program or I’m out.”
He nodded in agreement and offered a handshake. “I’ll follow it to a T. No deviation. If you want, I’ll send it to you for free so you know I’m playing by the rules.”
I slid my hand into his. Ryan’s palm was warm as it enveloped mine. Goosebumps raced up my arm, peppering my skin.
And that motherfucker noticed.
His grin was devilish as he let go. “Have a good day, beautiful.”
When Ryan slipped out, Alona took his place and closed the door, locking him out. “I can have his body back at headquarters in an hour,” she said.
“Providence is three hours away,” Whitney said.
Alona’s face was stone-cold. “I can use the helicopter.”
I looked at Whitney and pointed to Alona. “Why do I have to fake-dateRyan Ford? Why can’t I fake dateher? She has a helicopter.”
Whitney rolled her eyes. “Are you going to keep whining, or are we going to game plan?”
My phone chimed, and I glanced at the text on the screen:
