Honestly, I could even keep the ruse going—I could lie to them when the summer was over, tell them we’re doing long distance, in order to buy myself time until I figure things out. But Finn doesn’t need to know that.
All right, I say, nodding. Yeah, this is a good idea, I think.
He laughs, not entirely convinced. Is it really, Violet? He seems delighted by the idea that I might think so. I don’t answer him right away, second-guessing myself.
Is this a good idea?
Instead, I ask, What are the rules? How do we… I trail off.
Finn looks thoughtfully out at the water. Well, I think we should be the only ones who know it isn’t real. I wonder about whether it’s his brother or his mother he’s trying to fool here, but I don’t ask. I guess it doesn’t matter.
We’ll have to be pretty convincing for Alba and Florence, I say, Those two could coax anything out of me—out of anyone.
He laughs. I can be convincing, Violet.
I shiver, despite the sun beating down on me. He clears his throat, then says, We may have to have some physical contact, to make this work. Hand holding, light touching, the occasional kiss probably. He sneaks a look at me when he says this last part, something on his face I can’t quite read. He adds quickly, But nothing you aren’t comfortable with, you ken what I mean?
Ken, I remember, is the Scottish word for know, which I'm certain I've learned from a book.
You’re right, we should have a safeword. Pinocchio, I say solemnly and he barks out a laugh.
Pinocchio, he repeats, but it doesn’t sound like the name of a puppet when he says it.
Are you serious about this Violet? He asks, turning on the dock to face me fully. It’s hard to look at him like this, shirtless and hair damp, his skin freckled and sun-kissed. We have to make it believable.
No one would ever believe I agreed to this, I say and it’s the truth. While I might be a little odd, I’m definitely a rule follower. I didn’t mean to say this out loud, but the words are gone before I can catch them. He grins.
Any other rules we need to hammer out now?
No sex, I blurt out. I’m not even sure why I said it. Some measure of self-preservation, probably. Not wanting to disappoint him. I feel embarrassed and fiddle with the small bow on the side of my shorts.
Finn only chuckles to himself, but it sounds hollow. He looks out at the water again.
You ken, I think that’s the first time anyone has suggested that to me. His voice is a quiet rumble and I wonder what that means exactly—and why he sounds so bitter about it. He goes on before I can dwell on the thoughts further. But that’s probably a good idea, he says, before adding with a grin, How sensible you are Violet. See, you’re already a proper fake girlfriend.
My warm skin pebbles with goosebumps at the sound of my name on his lips.
He stands up on the wharf, and holds his hand down to me.
I think, he says, pulling me up by the hand, That we should seal this deal with a swim. His hand is warm in mine. I’m vaguely aware that I’m not in my bathing suit, only shorts and a T-shirt. But I can only really focus on how good his hands feel—warm, not too rough.
Ready, Violet?
I want to say something quippy and funny, but I can’t think of a single word, let alone a sentence. Instead, I give him one exaggerated, serious nod.
His hand still in mine, we both take a leap of faith and jump into the water.
Chapter 10
FINN
I CANNOT BELIEVE VIOLET AGREED to my mental idea.
The plan appeared to me when I was in a drunken stupor, after talking for a while with my brother at the bar.
Violet, I had said, taking a sip of my beer, trying to explain to Alistair, is a total weirdo. I had laughed to myself, and turned to Allie, who smiled at me, his eyes twinkling.
You do have a soft spot for the more eccentric types, he said.
