Then why are you trying to convince her to do this, dumbass? Because it made sense given their predicament. He needed to increase store business so he could hire a manager soon. If people showed up because they thought they were dating, it didn’t matter as long as they bought cupcakes, which would help him meet his goal. That’s all it was.
She was shaking her head. “I’m not dragging you into my mess. I was impulsive. I have to work on that.”
He ruthlessly reined in the panic trying to sink its claws into him at her attempt to back out of his proposal. This was all about reason. “That’s why we have these rules. It should be pretty simple. We’ll ride the wave while we can. I don’t expect the attention to last long, but if it increases our brand awareness and gains us some new customers, then it’ll be worth it.” He tipped her chin up because really, why shouldn’t he take his chance to touch her? She’d scalded him through his shirt, after all. “Need I remind you that this ruse will help save your reputation and give you some armor to protect you from the arrows shot your way? I haven’t forgotten what that woman said out there. Or what you said yesterday. There are more people out there like her, aren’t there? People who delight in being mean to you, who don’t hesitate to call you all kinds of names?”
Her eyes widened. She nodded. He nodded back. Yes, he knew, and he was here to help. It was the truth. Yes, he was a selfish bastard for using her for his own purposes, but that didn’t mean he liked seeing that look of pain in her eyes.
Then she glanced away. “I’m still not sure this is a good idea. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that not all attention is good.”
“That’s why we’re in this together. We’ll rely on each other. We’ll control the narrative.” He held out his hand. “Are you in?”
Her teeth snagged her plump bottom lip while she considered his offer. He suppressed a moan. He would not let an unintentionally sexy action get to him. He was in control. He was always in control. He could handle one inconvenient attraction, especially since the source of the attraction lived to drive him up the proverbial wall. This was what was best for Sugar Blitz.
And him?
“It’ll be an adventure,” he added.
“Is that so? I can never resist an adventure. I’m in.” Her eyes were twinkling. Her soft hand slipped into his, the slide of their palms against each other sending a zap of pleasure up his arm and down his spine.
Donovan swallowed past the lump in his throat. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
* * *
“Hey, Kendra, what can I get you today?” Jada asked with a friendly smile.
The woman dressed in khakis and a button-down shirt pointed at the display case. “Those are calling my name. I’ll take two.”
“Excellent choice.” Without another word, Jada retrieved two pumpkin spice cupcakes from the display and boxed them up. This was Kendra’s third time in the shop this week. “How’s your mom doing?”
“Better. She got the cast off her arm and is now back to climbing ladders like nothing happened. It’s driving us crazy, but she insists it was only an accident and she won’t change her lifestyle. We have no choice but to go along with it. My dad holds his breath every time she moves, but whatcha gonna do?”
Jada shook her head in commiseration. Grams was known for her stubbornness.
Kendra handed over her credit card. “You gonna make it to book club on Thursday?”
Jada swiped the card, then handed it back. “I’ll try. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I’m trying.”
“Girl, don’t let that stop you. Half the people show up for the free booze and snacks.”
Jada laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
Kendra made a face. “I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to meet.”
Jada settled her hip against the counter. “Why not?”
“The restaurant where we meet says they want their room back on Thursday nights. They can make more money from food sales than from our puny room rental. We haven’t been able to find a place that’s big enough and cheap enough that’s as centrally located.” She shrugged. “It sucks though, but it is what it is. I’ll probably see you tomorrow when I need to not think about the situation. Bye.”
Jada stilled. What if…？
Her fingers tingled with excitement.
Nope. None of her business. Literally not her business. Keep your mouth shut. Jada bit her lip because surely that would stop her.