I blink, trying to remember how to speak. Emerald Grill is the second most popular restaurant in town after Frostbite, and it will be packed, even on a Tuesday night.
Rowan puts the plates down, sits across from me at the breakfast table, and smiles. “You up for it? After yesterday’s performance at the office, I can’t imagine you’re not.”
My cheeks heat. “Of course.”
After all, it’s about time I start earning my keep.
As expected,the Emerald Grill parking lot is packed when we arrive that evening. Rowan’s long fingers are intertwined with mine as we walk up to the hostess stand, and while he seems completely at ease, my gut is a churning mess of nerves.
I’m not doing anything wrong. Brett and I broke up months ago, and he was the one who cheated on me. There’s nothingstrange about me moving on, but the fact that my supposed new boyfriend is Rowan makes it more complicated.
People will talk. And the thought of being subjected to all that gossip fills me with unease.
We follow the hostess through the dining room, and Rowan slides his arm around my waist, palming my right hip with his large hand.
His warmth seeps through the fabric of my dress, branding my skin. His touch feels practiced, like he’s held me like this a hundred times before, but he hasn’t. This must be how he’s touched all of the women that came before me.
Disappointment flickers through me at the thought.
As we walk, it feels like everyone’s eyes are on Rowan and me. I can guess what all of these people—most of whom I recognize—are thinking.He pickedher? He usually goes for prettier girls. Doesn’t he know who she is?
The dress I’m wearing is one of the nicer ones I’ve got—it’s got cute ruffled sleeves and a flared skirt that ends midthigh. I’ve got a pair of tights on because it’s too damn cold for bare legs, and they’ve got a bit of a sheen to them that I like. Completing the outfit is a pair of high-heeled boots I got from the sales rack at TJ Maxx.
If anything, I’m a bit overdressed. Rowan’s only wearing a light-blue button-up shirt and a pair of jeans, but he looks like a damn male model, and I’ve never felt more self-conscious than I do now.
I’m praying for a table that’ll give us a bit of privacy, but the universe isn’t listening. The hostess puts us on the right side of the main dining area, where everyone can see us.
I slide into my chair, pick up the menu she leaves on the table, and clutch it in front of my face.
While Rowan’s getting settled in, I try to get my anxiety under control.
Of course, everyone is staring at us. They stared when I first started dating Brett too.
With Brett, there was an explanation. We worked together for a year before he asked me out. People probably thought I spent that entire year seducing him or something crazy like that.
But how will they explain Rowan and me?
I can imagine their whispers.Those two don’t make any sense together.
They’re right. We don’t. That’s why this isn’t real. Why it’s just pretend.
But even pretending with him feels like I’ve accidentally gotten onto a rollercoaster to heartbreak, and I have no idea how to get off.
Rowan’s gaze lifts to me. “What are you thinking?”
I close the menu without even looking at the items on it and put it down between us. “I don’t know. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” I admit quietly. “Everyone’s staring.”
His eyes are warm and attentive. “They’re staring because you look fantastic, and people like to stare at beautiful things.”
Shock reverberates through me. He thinks I’m beautiful? I’ve never thought of myself as special before—
Oh.
Bringing the ice water to my lips, I swallow down my disappointment. “You’re good at this. I almost believed you.”
His thick brows furrow. “You think I’m lying?”
“I think you’re in character. Which is fine. I mean, that’s why we’re here, right?”
