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Casey clears her throat and adjusts her glasses, continuing with a stiff, unsure smile. “Terry says the uptick in interest has to do with, well, whatever this is.” She waves her hands over the mess that is me and Gio.

“Us?” My lips tighten. “Why?”

Matt appears. “The virginal angry bride is hooking up with a food-porn chef. This is every entertainment news network’s wet dream.”

“They’ve seen people going crazy over us. They want the rumors to be true. The mystery will keep us trending online.” Gio turns to me with an expression of regret. “I’m sorry I’ve pulled you into this mess.”

Matt’s eyes bug out. “But, Boss! This could get you a cookbook, your own brand of ass-smacking pizza dough, and think of the licensing deals.”

“Release a statement denying our relationship,” Gio says to Casey.

Matt groans and then kicks a beach ball into the pool before charging into the house.

Casey sighs.

“You’d give up jobs because they think we’re together?” I’m confused.

Gio’s expression flattens. “I don’t want it like this. That would be using you and lying to my fans. Besides, there will be other opportunities.”

I twist my lips. Gio is a better guy than I’ve given him credit for on multiple levels. And I admire that he has goals. In the time we’ve been sharing the house, he’s hustled harder than my own work-obsessed mother, and that’s saying something.

Meanwhile, I’ve kept my dreams hidden, certain there will never be a way for me to pursue them with the deadline of taking over Mom’s company looming. The thought makes my throat tighten.

I consider an alternative. “We’re here a little longer. Maybe we could just . . .” I roll my hand in the air, trying to conjure words I’d never thought I’d say, especially to him.

“Yes!” Matt yells from the house, interrupting my thoughts. Even though he’s stormed away, he’s still tuned in to the conversation. “You two should fake-date. All the celebs are doing it for publicity. It’s great cross-marketing.” He rushes back outside with excitement.

“No! No fake-dating!” I say forcefully, but I immediately feel bad when the group appears shocked by my outburst. “It’s just, I don’t like lying that way. I won’t do it.”

I don’t need to get into the details of what I just went through at my non-wedding with Jeanie.

What’s more disturbing is the fact that I have lied. A lot. I stole this bungalow, and I lied to Gio only last night in our bedroom.

I will need to come clean if I’m going to hold on to my moral compass. It won’t be easy, but I need to. Eventually. I can be a bad bitch and a good person too, right? Right? I’m still feeling things out. I frown when I think about admitting all my lies.

“No fake-dating,” Gio says firmly.

“You guys are impossible.” Matt’s fragile heart breaks a second time.

“What were you going to say before Matt cut you off?” Gio asks me.

“I was going to say we could try and be . . . friends?” I choke out the last word. It’s not easy after all we’ve put each other through.

“You’d make friends with your sworn enemy?” Gio’s lips quirk. He’s enjoying this way too much.

“I mean, for the cameras. But behind closed doors . . .” I drag a finger across my neck, emulating Amelia. Though, I think we are beyond trying to kill each other.

For now, at least.

Gio laughs like he’s delighted. “I guess I could suck it up and be your friend too.”

He bumps my shoulder, and it sends sparks racing across my skin.

“You being my friend wouldn’t be a lie? I mean, since you’re vehemently against lying.” He searches my gaze.

I shift where I stand, uncomfortable with being put on the spot. Answering this question means I’ll have to confess something I’ve been denying even to myself.

“Somehow, you’ve weaseled your way near my ruined heart.” I hold a hand over my chest and flutter my eyelashes.