"I told you already. I'm not here out of guilt, Freya," he said.
"Aren't you?"
"Nope." Tolliver looked up from scanning my list and met my eyes. "But if it makes you feel better to think that, you can."
As he pushed my hair behind my ear, I shivered.
"I have my own reasons for being here."
"And those would be...?"
"Pretty sure you know," he said, leaning in, his voice deepening.
But before he could get too close, I drew back with a forced laugh.
"Well, after the week is over, I'm sure you'll be sick of me," I said.
Tolliver made a sound of disbelief. "Doubtful."
"Did you even read the list?"
"I skimmed it."
"So, do you agree?"
Surprising me, he grinned and took my hand. "Yes. I agree to be your maid for a week, Freya Kent. I will do anything you say—including the items on your list. And I'll even wear a maid's costume if you want."
I laughed at that. "Even the frilly white apron?"
"You know it."
"Not sure they make those in your size, Stone."
"I'm sure I could find something."
"That's okay," I said, patting his shoulder. "So long as you show up ready to work hard for me each day, that'll be good enough."
Tolliver's eyes sparkled. "I like hard work. Especially if it means being around you."
"We'll see."
"We will," he said then added, "my turn."
I blinked in surprise.
"About Sabrina's party," he began, "I had some thoughts."
"Okay."
"The goal is to convince your ex and everyone there that we're together, correct?"
I gave a slow nod, not understanding where he was going with this. "That kiss at the rink was pretty convincing."
"Yeah, but we can't just kiss the whole time," he said.
Why not?my heart whispered.
As if he could read my mind, Tolliver's lips tilted up. "I mean, unless you want to."
