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“When I asked the word for a smart ass thesaurus. I could have just asked for the word for a smartass, and the answer would have been the same. Cormac.”
He laughs and leans closer. “Yes, well…I am what I am, I suppose.”
“About this new and dangerous favor, how would we manage that in front of the kids? If you’re affectionate or whatever, they’re going to catch onto our scheme. I don’t want to confuse them, or god forbid, they mention anything to Abigail.”
“I love my kids. They are my world. That said, neither one is terribly observant about things like romance or what have you. Abigail dated her new husband for a long time before they realized they were a couple. It’s a non-issue.”
I sigh, still unsure about this. “You’re sort of springing this on me, Cormac.”
“I know. And if I had any other person I could call in for this, I would. I don’t want you to feel backed into a corner about it.” He swallows hard. “If Clint gets weirded out by me being single, then I guess…I’ll figure it out. I’m sorry I asked, Lily. I hope it didn’t make you uncomfortable.” His disappointment is so heavy in his voice that it weighs on me, and it might crush me.
“It’s not that.” How do I explain I like him, so pretending to be his girlfriend won’t confuseonlythe children?I can’t tell him that. Lie.“It’s just that—
The doorbell rings.
“Oh shit,” Cormac blurts, before the kids dash for the door. He’s right behind them.
Fuck, I can’t believe I’m doing this.I strip off my apron and join them at the door, standing next to Cormac and behind the children. As Aiden opens the door, I slap a smile on my face and put my arm around Cormac. His eyes widen at me, and he smiles, too. We face the investor together.
He’s a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a huge smile. His weekend outfit of a white polo and red shorts with tiny blue sailboats tells me Cormac knows his audience well. In the driveway, a limo sits, waiting for his return. He passes over a bottle of Chateau Lafite to me and says, “Isn’t this the picture perfect little family?”
I beam at him. “Welcome to our home. Come in.”
21
Cormac
I cannot believe she’s doing this. Thank God. He walks in and Aiden shuts the door for him. Clint immediately ruffles his hair, which makes my son’s nose bunch up for a second. Clint chuckles. “I bet you’re a scamp.”
Aiden looks up at me. “What’s that?”
“A troublemaker.”
He turns to Clint with a proud smile. “Yes, sir.”
Clint laughs, and I introduce him. “This is Franny and Aiden. Kids, this is Mr. Bryson. ”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he says, sticking his hand out.
Franny is the first to grab on. “You too.” Then Aiden. The pair run off to the living room, thankfully.
“And who is this?” he asks, eyes glowing on Lily.
She smiles sweetly, and I tell him, “This is Lily. My girlfriend.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Clint.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he says, shaking her hand. “Something smells wonderful.”
“That would be dinner, and I should go check on it. Excuse me.”
As she leaves, he quietly says, “She’s quite a catch, Cormac. How long have you two been together?”
“Not long, but in some ways, it feels like she’s always been here.” It surprises me how true that feels.
“I understand. I could not imagine my life without Ava. Show me around.”
“Of course.” I tour him through the house and out to the backyard. “…and that would be the pool I fell into—
