Page 147 of Gold Rush

“Yeah.” I finish my glass again.

“What are you going to do?”

“About my dad?”

“About Rory.”

“Oh. I—we’re going to announce we broke up in about a month. I might move to Boston.”

“Why?”

“The firm has some openings there and⁠—”

“No. Why are you and Rory breaking up?”

I stare at him. “Did you not hear me? We were pretending to date. This was the plan all along.”

“So, you’re not in love with her?”

I start coughing. Reach for my glass, realize it’s empty, and beckon the bartender back over.

Perry is still waiting expectantly once I clear my throat and have a full glass.

“Of course I’m not.”

“You’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure,” I say irritably. “You had one dinner with us, months ago. I don’t know why you would even think that.”

“Does Kit know it was pretend? Or Oliver?”

I shift uncomfortably on the stool. “No.”

“You’re right; I don’t know you or Rory very well. But I do find it interesting that people who do know you well—who’ve presumably seen you both date other people—believe it’s real between you two.”

“They wouldn’t think Rory would lie to them. She’s too principled.”

“But she is lying—for you. Have you thought about why?”

“I-I talked her into it. Her ex was a douchebag who never deserved her. Everyone was talking about their breakup, so I convinced her us dating would change the narrative. She’s considerate. Selfless.”

“She also likes you.”

“No. She’s never—I mean, she might like me a little. Now. At least before today. But she’s always avoided—we’ve never gotten along. I’m Kit’s immature, irritating best friend. Her type is nothing like me.”

“Okay.” Perry sips some beer.

“Seriously, it would never work between us. I’m bad with commitment. I don’t cheat—I’d never cheat—but I get this claustrophobic, panicked feeling, like I’m in a room and the walls are collapsing.”

“That’s how you feel around Rory?”

“Well, no. It’s never happened with her. But it’s fake, Perry.”

“So, it doesn’t bother you when other guys hit on her?”

I could say no. He has no way of knowing the truth. But all I can think about is watching her and Knox walk back from the beach together—the same beach where we had almost kissed three years ago—and how realizing she’d left me in bed to talk to him landed like a kick to the chest.

Knox wants her, and he isn’t waiting for me to get out of the way. Maybe he will now that he thinks we’re engaged, but I’m betting he’ll show up again as soon as he hears she’s single. It’s the persistence Rory deserves—the dedication and loyalty she displays toward everyone she cares about.