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That meant Everly.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Sophie, Abby, and Lily are already dating someone seriously, and Everly is your best friend.”
“Right.” The words to refute her assumption were stuck in my throat. The arrangement with Everly was new, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to explain to Gia that we were in a pretend relationship. As logical as it sounded when I was talking to my attorney or Everly, I was aware it was a crazy proposition for anyone else.
What had I gotten myself into? Sure, I’d do anything for Wren, but what if it affected my business relationships?
Four
EVERLY
On Saturday, Harrison pulled up to my apartment in his large white work truck with stenciled lettering on the side declaring itCain Rental.
“I’m not moving any furniture,” I said as he came inside. He wore jeans and a black work T-shirt that stretched nicely across his chest and biceps. Since his job required a lot of lifting and he hadn’t hired anyone to help him in the business, he was built.
“I wanted to be prepared in case there was something special you wanted to bring.”
I glanced around the room. Most of my furniture was hand-me-downs or secondhand furniture. Nothing I couldn’t live without for a few months. This was a temporary situation, after all. “I think I’d like to bring my desk. Do you have space for it?”
Harrison nodded. “We can put it in the guest room. Does that work?”
“Thank you.” That was the room I stayed in whenever I slept over, so that made the most sense. And he needed the office downstairs for his business. But I felt strangely appreciative of his efforts to make me feel at home.
Harrison held up his hands. “You’re helping me, remember? I want you to get something out of this deal, too.”
I refrained from flinching at his reminder that this was merely a temporary arrangement. “I get to live with Wren. I’m looking forward to us getting closer.” And I was looking at this whole thing as a test of sorts. Would living with Harrison burst the crush I had on him? Surely, he had some bad habits, like slurping his cereal from a bowl instead of using a spoon.
Harrison pulled me into his side, a familiar gesture. “I love that you love my daughter.”
As I looked up at him, my entire body heated from the contact. My cheeks hot, I said, “She’s easy to love.”
Harrison playfully cocked his brow. “What about me?”
“You’re impossible.” I elbowed him in the stomach, needing to create some space between us. Ever since he’d suggested this arrangement, I’d been analyzing every encounter with him. Was hugging me a friendly gesture, or did it mean something more? I was driving myself crazy, and Harrison was going to realize I was acting funny.
He rubbed his side. “That was uncalled for.”
I rolled my eyes, eager to get back to our regular interactions. We were friends. We joked. We touched. But it didn’t mean anything more. I just had to remember that.
“Gia mentioned something about a relationship between her partners being off-limits.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly what he was talking about. The original group of planners had been celebrating with champagne when Gia came up with the list of rules. Some of them made sense, likedon’t sleep with the wedding party, but others were more elusive, likeno sleeping with the vendors. We’d all hoped it was a joke, but she’d kept it and brought it up on occasion. “That list is ridiculous. Abby slept with Nick when he was the best man at Ethan and Savannah’s wedding. Lily’s with the mechanic she used for her delivery truck. Gia’s a control freak, but I can’t imagine she’d enforce it.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Harrison said, his gaze sliding to the kitchen. “You make me breakfast?”
My apartment was a one-bedroom with a combined living room and kitchen. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could afford while working an administrative job. I was looking forward to the increased space Harrison’s house offered.
“You know I did. Egg muffins with ham and melted cheese.”
Harrison cupped either side of my face, sending tingles down my spine as he kissed me firmly on the lips. It was a friendly kiss, one we’d shared before. But this time, it felt different. I hoped he hadn’t noticed my reaction.
I let out a shaky breath when he dropped his hands. He strode toward the counter, picked up the glass of orange juice, and drank deeply before taking a huge bite of the muffin. “You make me two?” he asked in between bites.
“You know I did.” I loved that we were so comfortable with each other and knew what the other liked. Our relationship spoiled me for other guys. I didn’t want to take the time to get to know someone else.
Harrison winked with a heart-stopping grin that made his signature dimple pop. “You know I love you, right?”
I sucked in a breath. Why did all his playful statements feel more real? Like there was a double meaning. Or maybe I was just looking for something that wasn’t there.
