Page 62 of Fake it for Keeps

“No,” I said automatically. “I’m not. She’s a contractor. An employee. This is business.”

“Colt.” Frankie’s voice was gentle now, which somehow made it worse. “I’m worried about you. I know we need to clean up your image, and this engagement seemed like the perfect solution. But at what cost? If you’re actually falling for her, it’ll end badly.”

“I’m not falling for her,” I said, my voice harsh.

“Then why are you so worked up? Why are you destroying perfectly good designs and snapping at everyone who looks at you sideways?” She paused. “Where is Hallie, by the way? I thought you two had wedding planning today.”

“She left.”

“What? Why?”

“She said she needed space. Went to the Hamptons. Won’t be back until the day after tomorrow.” I could hear the bitterness in my own voice. “Must be nice to just run away when things get tough.”

Frankie stared at me. “And you let her go? Just like that?”

“What was I supposed to do? Chain her to the wedding planner’s chair?” I moved to the window, staring out at the Manhattan skyline. “She wants space, she gets space. I don’t care.”

“You clearly do care.”

“I don’t—” I stopped, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. “Fuck, Frankie. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

I heard her move closer, felt her hand on my shoulder.

“When’s the last time you slept?” she asked quietly.

“I sleep.”

“When’s the last time you slept well, then?”

I didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer. Because the truth was I hadn’t slept well in weeks. Not since the dreams had come back. Not since Hallie had walked into my life and turned everything upside down.

“It’s the nightmares.” Frankie’s voice was barely a whisper.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. There was no point in denying it. We had already talked about this.

“Oh, Colt.” She pulled me into a hug. I let her, because she was my little sister and she was one of the only people on earth who was allowed to see me like this. “Why didn’t you tell me it had gotten this bad?”

“What’s there to tell? They come and go. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine.” She pulled back to look at me. “Is it because of the engagement? Because you’re looking down the barrel of marriage again, even if it’s fake?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Maybe.”

“Does Hallie know?”

The memory of that night in Shelter Island flooded back.

“No.”

Frankie was quiet for a long moment. “You know Hallie isn’t Lauren, right? She’s a completely different person. Different life, different circumstances.”

“I know that.”

“Do you?” She searched my face.

“I don’t have time for this,” I said, but the words lacked conviction. “I have a company to run. A wedding to plan. A reputation to salvage. And Hallie? Hallie is in this for the money. That’s what she wants from me. Not whatever you think is happening.”

“Is it? Just about the money?” Frankie tilted her head. “Because I’ve seen the way she looks at you too, you know. And it’s not the look of someone who’s just in it for a paycheck.”