Page 102 of Fake it for Keeps

I rested my cheek on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slowly return to normal. His other arm was wrapped around me, holding me close like he was afraid I would disappear.

“Colt,” I whispered into the darkness.

“Hmm?”

“I have to tell you something.”

He shifted, sliding one hand under his head to prop himself up slightly. His bicep flexed with the movement. I forced myself to focus. I was about to drool. Or maybe I already was.

I needed to say this while I still had the courage.

He looked down at me with concern in his expression. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “We’ve met before. A long time ago.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean before the gala. Before all of this.” I sat up slightly, pulling the sheet around myself. “In high school, actually.”

His expression shifted from confusion to surprise. “High school? What are you talking about?”

“I recognized you at the gala that first night. When I was with John.” The words tumbled out faster now. “But you didn’t recognize me. It’s been over ten years, and I looked completely different back then.”

“Different how?”

“I used to dye my hair blonde. Trying to fit in, you know? And I wore all these terrible bootcut jeans with layered shirts and low necklines. Too much makeup. I was…” I trailed off. “I was trying really hard to be someone I wasn’t.”

Colt was staring at me. I could see his mind working, trying to place me in his memories.

Then his eyes went wide.

“No way,” he breathed. “You’re Janie.”

I winced at the nickname. “I don’t go by that anymore.”

“The short girl with the big tits.”

I punched him in the shoulder. Hard. “Shut up. But yes, that was me.”

He laughed, the sound genuine and a little awed. “Holy shit. Small world.”

“Very small world.”

He settled back against the pillows, pulling me with him so I was tucked against his side again. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you. You really do look different.”

“I know.” I traced circles on his chest, needing something to do with my hands. “Natural hair color. Lost some weight. Learned how to dress for my actual body instead of trying to hide it.”

“You look incredible. But I bet you looked great then too.”

The compliment warmed me, but my stomach was churning. Because I’d told him part of the truth, but not all of it. Not the part that mattered most.

But the words stuck in my throat.

“Oh, fuck me,” Colt said suddenly.

I looked up. “What?”

His expression had changed, guilt flooding his features. “The beach. That summer before I left for college. I asked you to meet me there and then⁠—”