Page 36 of Blue Line

“What kind of pizza? Do you want dessert or anything? I’ll swing by Publix on the way home. Wine? Beer? I don’t know what you drink.”

“Meat lovers.” I lick my lips involuntarily, and I swear I see something flash over his face as he watches me. I cringe, realizing the double entendre. I clear my throat. “I’m not in the mood for alcohol, so water’s fine, or maybe some tea, if you have any.”

“I don’t, but I’ll stop at the store. What kind do you want? I know peppermint is good for an upset stomach. Not sure if it will help with …” He waves his hand at me as if he’s not sure how to phrase it.

“You don’t have to stop by the store. I’ll drink water.”

“Hadley, let me take care of you. You’re my fiancée.”

“Fake fiancée.”

“We want to sell this relationship, right? This is how we do it.”

I sigh, feeling the start of cramps. “I don’t know about that since no one else is here to know, but if you insist, peppermint tea would be good and a bar of dark chocolate with almonds too. Oh, and chocolate peanut butter ice cream while you’re at it.”

“Got it. Anything else?”

I shake my head.

“I’m gonna go change, and then I’ll go. If you want to take a bath, you can use my bathroom. The tub is bigger. There’s Epsom salts under the sink. Text me if you think of anything else.”

“I need your number to be able to text you.”

“Right. Give me your phone, and I’ll put my number in.”

I unlock my phone and hand it to him.

He types on it for a few seconds. “Done. I sent myself a text.” He gives it back to me before heading toward his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

I laugh when I see how he put his name in my phone—Number One Fiancé.

Weston Reynolds surprises me each and every day I spend with him. Although I shouldn’t be so shocked. I knew he was a good man based on how he is with his teammates, what he’s done for Holt, for all of the guys, and how he is with Hazel. I just didn’t expect to have that attention and care directed at me.

I cannot fall for my fake fiancé.

I cannot.

In a few months, this will all be over. He’ll move on with his life, and I’ll move on with mine.

Because this is all fake.

The best we can be is friends.

Chapter fourteen

Wes

“I’m back,” I yell as I step into my condo an hour or so later.

“Hey,” Hadley says, walking into the kitchen, her blonde hair wet, presumably from what I hope was a relaxing bath she took while I was gone.

I took my time at the store to give her extra time alone. It broke my heart earlier to see her so upset and then shut down when I tried to help. I know we’re not genuinely together, but I did want to do whatever I could to make her feel better. She’s my friend after all.

“Did you buy the whole store?” She tips her chin at all the bags on the kitchen counter.

“Just a few essentials.” I start unpacking everything. “The tea, ice cream, and chocolate you requested. Plus, I grabbed a bottle of Advil and a heating pad. Madison said this is the one she’d recommend.” I hold up the box. “I wasn’t sure if you had one.” Her mouth hangs open. Shit, I hope I didn’t overstep. I wanted her to be comfortable, but maybe I’m really making her uncomfortable. Shit. I’m about to tell her I can take it back when she finally speaks.

“That was sweet of you.”