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1 Noun, Tagalog: A feeling of exhilaration or elation caused by an exciting or romantic experience.
2 Verb, Greek: To do something with pleasure.
3 Noun, Yaghan: A look shared between two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire but which neither wants to begin.
4 Noun, German: A face badly in need of a fist.
27
IRIS
Things between Declan and me seem to be escalating. It has been a week since I had the brace removed, and Declan has yet to pull back. With each day that passes, he seems to grow more insistent about spending time together. Whether it’s eating dinner with one another or him working on his tablet while I watch an episode of TV in front of the fireplace before bed, I can’t seem to shake him.
I never thought he would want to willingly spend this much time with me. While it might not bother most people to grow close to their fake husbands, it feels like I’m losing focus. Like I’m forgetting the reasons I thought we would never make a good couple in the first place.
If I were being really honest with myself, my thoughts have slowly started drifting away from friendship and right toward a big red flag known as infatuation. I’m not talking about the physical kind either. More like the soul-deep attraction that tempts the broken part of me to open up fully to him, regardless of the consequences.
It is terrifying to think I might willingly let him come closer.
Not like you have a choice with this evening’s plan.
Even if I wanted to avoid him, tonight’s fake date would make it nearly impossible to do so.
I knock my fist against his door.
“Come in.”
No one man should have the power to make my heart beat harder within my chest from a few words. I take a deep breath before walking into his domain. After days of limited contact, I feel starved for his attention.
Starved for his attention? Maybe youdohave workplace Stockholm syndrome after all.
Our gazes collide, and neither one of us breaks away. His eyes drag from my face down my body before lingering on my lime green stilettos. The straps wrap up my legs, making me feel every bit like a Roman gladiator despite the dainty little bow at the end. His stare stirs something deep within me, making heat pool in my belly.
“What do you need?” His rough voice snaps me out of my daze.
I lift my chin, preparing for a fight. “We have another fake date planned for tonight.”
“A fake date.” The way his lips curl at the statement fills me with trepidation.
“You know. Because we need to look like a happy couple?”
“Right. God forbid we actuallyfeellike one, right?”
Oh. My. God. You need to get out of here.
I let out an awkward laugh. “Anyway…your tux is dry-cleaned and ready for tonight. Be ready at 7 p.m. sharp.”
I turn toward the door but halt when he calls out after me.
“Not so fast.”
My throat closes up as I rotate on my heels and look back at him. “Yes?”
“Where are we going?”
I regain my composure. “The charity gala at The Walton Hotel.”
“A charity gala?” His nose scrunches with disgust for the briefest second, and it makes me smile.
