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“I should get going,” Roger says when neither of us says a word. “You two crazy kids try to keep your hands to yourselves, okay? Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
He’s gone in a matter of seconds, sailing through the house and out the front door and disappearing as if he were never here.
“I’m guessing he’d do just about anything we can think of, so that isn’t the best warning,” Scarlett says after he’s left.
“You’re speaking nothing but straight facts.” I run my hand through my damp hair, messing it up thoroughly but not really giving a shit. “Want to go out to dinner tonight?”
“Not particularly.” She tilts her head to the side. “I thought the chef was making us dinner tonight.”
“I think plans have changed.” My phone buzzes, and I check it to see it’s a text from Roger’s assistant with a list of restaurants they’re recommending. “Actually, it looks like we don’t have a choice.”
“Why not?” She’s adorably confused.
“Roger wants us to make an appearance. Can’t let anyone forget we’re a couple, right?” I’m trying to sound like I’m joking, but I fail miserably, so I let the smile fall from my face.
“Right,” she echoes, nodding. “Are you all right?”
“I’m great.” My voice is overly enthusiastic, and I should probably tone it down, but it’s like I can’t. “How are you?”
Her gaze returns to mine, and I swear it feels like she can see right through me. “What exactly did Roger say to you?”
I exhale loudly, grabbing the back of my neck with both hands. “He’s pissed that I’m not toiling away in the studio and writing songs already.”
Scarlett frowns. “What? But we just got here.”
“That’s what I told him, but I don’t think he cares.” I don’t bother telling her that he knows our relationship is fake. I don’t need to add that stress on her too. “Pretty sure he wasn’t too happy to see us together in the pool either.”
Her frown deepens. “What? Why not? I thought he believed we were a real couple.”
“He says I should stop fooling around with you and start working.”
“Oh.” She pauses. “So now I’m a distraction.”
“You’re not.” I start to approach her, and she takes a step backward, like she needs the distance from me. “Trust me.”
“I probably shouldn’t have splashed you.”
“Scarlett...”
“I’ll leave you alone. Tell me when you want to leave for dinner, and I’ll go get ready, okay?”
Before I can say a word or reassure her that she’s not at fault...
She’s gone.
CHAPTER23
SCARLETT
I’m an idiot.
I thought Tate was into me, but maybe I read him all wrong. Or maybe he knew Roger was going to stop by, so he put on a little show just for his benefit, and it backfired. I’m supposed to be his fake girlfriend, but instead I’ve become his real distraction, and this whole plan is freaking stupid.
I want to go home.
Instead, I take a long, cool shower and mentally try to convince myself that I did nothing wrong. I’m not at fault here. Deep down, I know I’m not. I just got caught up in the moment. Caught up in ogling Tate’s body and giving in to my urges to tease him.
